Registration, Ethics & Scope
Not publishedof exam
Health & Safety Legislative Framework
Not publishedof exam
H&S Plans, Files & Documents
Not publishedof exam
Hazard Identification & Risk Management
Not publishedof exam
Construction Site Operations
Not publishedof exam
Inspections, Audits & Performance
Not publishedof exam
Incident Investigation & Emergency
Not publishedof exam
Occupational Hygiene, Health & Welfare
Not publishedof exam
Quick Facts
- Council
- SACPCMP (Act 48 of 2000)
- Category
- Construction Health & Safety Officer
- Assessment
- Online proctored Council examination
- Pass mark
- 60%
- Items and time
- Not published
- Examination fee
- R711.07 for 2026/27
- Qualification
- NQF 5, 120 credits
- Experience
- Four years relevant practice
- Re-write band
- 35-59%, within six months
- Below 35%
- Archived, must re-apply
Examination Score Bands
60 passes, 35 to 59 re-writes
60% and above passes35-59% may re-writeBelow 35% archivedRe-write within six months
CHSO vs CHSM
CHSO
- NQF 5, 120 credits
- Four years experience
- Exam fee R711.07
CHSM
- NQF 6, 240 credits
- Five years experience
- Exam fee R1 495.59
Officer is site level
Examination Score Outcomes
- Scored 60% or above→Proceed to next phase(Registration continues)
- Scored 55% to 59%→Moderation may apply(Non-MCQ papers only)
- Scored 35% to 59%→Pay fee, then re-write(Conclude within six months)
- Scored below 35%→Application is archived(Re-apply from the start)
- Absent, no five-day notice→Fees are forfeited(Certified illness may refund)
- No booking in 12 months→Application may be cancelled(Start a new application)
SACPCMP Exam Route
- Eligibility
- Assessed before exam invite
- Booking window
- Three months from eligibility
- Booking cut-off
- Five working days prior
- Unbooked 12 months
- Application may be cancelled
- Invigilation
- Virtual proctor, online
- Identity check
- Original ID or passport
- Room rule
- Alone, no dual monitors
- Mock exam
- Required before live sitting
- Moderation
- Non-MCQ fails within 5%
- Points and timing
- Set in advance per paper
Exam vs Interview
Examination
- CHSO and CHSM
- Online proctored paper
- Pass mark 60%
Interview
- PrCHSA and mentor
- Interview fee payable
- Three attempts allowed
Fee schedule tells you
2026/27 CHSO Fees
- Application
- R413.81
- Examination
- R711.07per attempt
- Registration
- R362.35
- Annual fee
- R3 987.59
- Interview fee
- None for CHSO
- Re-write
- Re-examination fee payable
- Annual invoice
- Issued each December
- Late annual fee
- 10% penalty after 120 days
- Non-payment
- Registration may be cancelled
CHSO Stages of Services
- Stages 1 to 3
- Not applicable to CHSO
- Stage 4
- Tender documentation and procurement
- Stage 5
- Construction documentation and management
- Stage 6
- Project close out
- Task 4.1
- Attend tender clarification meetings
- Task 5.1
- Assist preparing the plan
- Task 5.10
- Compile emergency response plans
- Task 5.17
- Trend analysis of deficiencies
- Task 6.3
- Consolidated file for client
- Gazette
- CBE Notice 1181 of 2019
Three Permit Triggers
180 days, 1 800 person days, R13 million
Exceeds 180 daysOver 1 800 person daysR13 million contractOr CIDB level 6
Permit vs Notification
Permit, Reg 3
- Client applies
- 30 days ahead
- Agent appointment mandatory
Notify, Reg 4
- Contractor notifies
- Seven days ahead
- Agent is optional
Permit brings a site number
Permit, Notify Or Neither
- Work exceeds 180 days→Client applies for permit(30 days ahead)
- Over 1 800 person days→Client applies for permit(Regulation 3(1)(b))
- Value over R13 million→Client applies for permit(Or CIDB level 6)
- Excavation, no permit trigger→Contractor notifies director(Seven days ahead)
- Fall risk work only→Contractor notifies director(Seven days ahead)
- Demolition or explosives→Contractor notifies director(Seven days ahead)
- Owner-occupied single dwelling→Notify only, seven days(Regs 3 and 5 excluded)
- None of these apply→No permit or notice(Other duties still apply)
OHS Act Section Map
- Section 8
- Employer duty to employees
- Section 9
- Duty to non-employees
- Section 13
- Duty to inform employees
- Section 14
- General duties of employees
- Section 15
- No interference or misuse
- Section 16(2)
- CEO assigns, keeps liability
- Section 17
- Designate H&S representatives
- Section 19
- Establish H&S committee
- Section 20
- Committee functions and records
- Section 23
- No deductions for safety
- Section 24
- Report certain incidents
- Section 26
- Victimisation forbidden
- Section 37
- Mandatary written agreement
- Section 38
- Offences and penalties
- Section 44
- Incorporates safety standards
Representative vs Committee
H&S representative
- Over 20 employees
- One per 50
- Designated in writing
H&S committee
- Two or more representatives
- Meets every three months
- Reviews incident records
Reps trigger the committee
Construction Regulation Map
- Reg 3
- Construction work permit
- Reg 4
- Notification of construction work
- Reg 5
- Duties of client
- Reg 6
- Duties of designer
- Reg 7
- Principal contractor and contractor
- Reg 8
- Management and supervision
- Reg 9
- Risk assessment
- Reg 10
- Fall protection
- Reg 11
- Structures
- Reg 12
- Temporary works
- Reg 13
- Excavation
- Reg 14
- Demolition work
- Reg 16
- Scaffolding
- Reg 17
- Suspended platforms
- Reg 24
- Electrical installations and machinery
- Reg 26
- Water environments
- Reg 29
- Fire precautions
- Reg 30
- Employees' facilities
Permit and Notification Triggers
- Permit: duration
- Exceeds 180 days
- Permit: person days
- More than 1 800
- Permit: value
- R13 million or CIDB 6
- Permit: lead time
- Apply 30 days before
- Permit issued
- Within 30 days
- Site specific number
- Displayed at main entrance
- Number transfer
- Not transferrable
- Notify: excavation
- Seven days before start
- Notify: fall risk
- Seven days before start
- Notify: demolition
- Seven days before start
- Notify: explosives
- Seven days before start
- Own single-storey dwelling
- Regs 3 and 5 excluded
COIDA After January 2026
- Commencement
- 23 January 2026 proclamation
- Prescription
- Three years, was 12 months
- Section 39(1)
- Report within seven days
- Late report penalty
- 10% of annual earnings
- Section 35
- Bars civil claim on employer
- Good standing
- Required before work starts
- Enforcement shift
- Administrative penalties, not prosecution
- Section 97 regulations
- Published 6 March 2026
Document Chain
Baseline, Specification, Plan, File, Handover
Client baseline assessmentClient H&S specificationContractor H&S planSite H&S fileConsolidated handover file
Specification vs Plan
Specification
- Client writes it
- From the baseline
- Goes into tender
H&S plan
- Principal contractor writes
- Based on the specification
- Client finally approves
Client sets, contractor delivers
Who To Appoint
- Managing the whole site→Construction manager(Regulation 8(1))
- Assisting safety control→Health and safety officer(Regulation 8(5))
- Running risk assessments→Competent risk assessor(Regulation 9(1))
- Erecting formwork→Temporary works designer(Regulation 12(1))
- Digging excavations→Excavation supervisor(Regulation 13(1))
- Erecting access scaffold→Scaffold supervisor(Regulation 16(1))
- Client needs a permit→Competent agent, mandatory(Regulation 5(5))
- Only notification needed→Agent is optional(Regulation 5(6))
Health & Safety File Contents
- Client specification
- Site specific, from baseline
- H&S plan
- Client finally approves
- Risk assessments
- Regulation 9, kept on site
- Appointment letters
- All written designations
- Medical certificates
- Annexure 3 fitness
- Induction records
- Kept on site
- Good standing letter
- COIDA registration proof
- Incident register
- Annexure 1 records
- Permit copy
- Kept in the file
- Inspection registers
- Excavation, scaffold, electrical
- Contractor list
- Updated, with agreements
- Handover file
- Consolidated at completion
Written Appointments On Site
- Construction manager
- Regulation 8(1), full-time
- Assistant managers
- Regulation 8(2), by size
- Health and safety officer
- Regulation 8(5), after consultation
- Construction supervisor
- Regulation 8(7), in writing
- Risk assessor
- Regulation 9(1), competent
- Fall protection planner
- Regulation 10(1), designated
- Temporary works designer
- Regulation 12(1), approves erection
- Excavation supervisor
- Regulation 13(1), competent
- Demolition supervisor
- Regulation 14(1), competent
- Scaffold supervisor
- Regulation 16(1), competent
- Stacking supervisor
- Regulation 28, competent
- Client agent
- Regulation 5(5), when permit
Regulation 9 Five Elements
Identify, Analyse, Plan, Monitor, Review
Identify hazards and risksAnalyse and evaluatePlan safe proceduresMonitoring planReview plan
Baseline vs Site Assessment
Baseline
- Client duty
- Before procurement
- Drives the specification
Regulation 9
- Contractor duty
- Before and during work
- Part of the plan
Whose duty, which stage
Regulation 9 Risk Assessment
- Element 1
- Identify hazards and risks
- Element 2
- Analyse and evaluate, documented
- Element 3
- Plan with safe procedures
- Element 4
- Monitoring plan
- Element 5
- Review plan
- Timing
- Before and during work
- Ergonomics
- Regulation 9(2), must address
- Consultation
- H&S committee or union
- Copies
- Available on site
- Review trigger
- Risk profile change, incident
Control Hierarchy & Training
- First step
- Eliminate or mitigate hazard
- Last resort
- Personal protective equipment
- Statutory basis
- OHS Act section 8(2)(b)
- Cost of PPE
- No employee deduction
- Deduction exception
- Intentional loss or damage
- Training timing
- Before work commences
- Retraining
- Per monitoring and review plan
- Contractor briefing
- Principal contractor informs contractors
- Baseline owner
- Client, before procurement
Excavation Inspection Triggers
Daily, Blast, Ground fall, Damage, Rain
Daily before each shiftAfter every blastAfter a ground fallAfter support damageAfter rain
Prevention vs Arrest
Fall prevention
- Stops the fall
- Guard rails, barriers
- The default requirement
Fall arrest
- Limits the consequences
- Harness and anchor
- Only if impracticable
Arrest is the fallback
Height Work Picker
- Any fall risk position→Fall protection plan(Regulation 10(1))
- Opening in floor or slab→Guard, fence or barricade(Regulation 10(4)(a))
- Prevention is practicable→Use fall prevention(The default choice)
- Prevention not practicable→Use fall arrest(Plus a rescue plan)
- Roof pitch or surface unsafe→Roof ladders or crawl-boards(General Safety Regulations)
- Working from a ladder→Secure it, sheath tools(Maximum 9 m)
- Platform above two metres→Guard rails and toe-boards(900 to 1 000 mm)
- Person could fall in water→Lifejacket plus rescue means(Regulation 26)
Site Dimension Rules
- Excavation access
- Within six metres
- Public barrier
- At least one metre
- Night marking
- Warning illuminants required
- Guard rails
- 900 to 1 000 mm
- Toe-boards
- At least 150 mm
- Timber toe-boards
- At least 25 mm
- Leaning ladder limit
- Maximum 9 m
- Fixed ladder cage
- Over 5 m at 75°
- Ladder projection
- 900 mm above platform
- Platform to structure
- Not more than 75 mm
- Seated work gap
- Up to 300 mm
- Trestle scaffold limit
- 3 m, two tiers
- Wooden scaffold limit
- Maximum 10 m high
- Tunnel entry ban
- Below 800 mm height
Plant, Power & Platforms
- Temporary installations
- Weekly competent inspection
- Electrical machinery
- Daily operator checklist
- Buried services
- Locate before excavating
- Tower crane wind
- Audible over-speed warning
- Crane operator
- Annexure 3 medical certificate
- Concrete casting
- Written authorisation first
- Formwork strike
- Written authorisation to remove
- Suspended platform design
- Engineer system design certificate
- Outrigger safety factor
- At least four
- Suspension rope factor
- At least ten
- Scaffold safety factor
- At least two
- Fall arrest use
- Only when prevention impracticable
- Roof work weather
- No work in inclement
- Lifejacket rule
- Where drowning risk exists
Compliance Intervals
- Client audit
- At least every 30 days
- Audit report
- To principal contractor, seven days
- Principal contractor audit
- At least every 30 days
- Excavation inspection
- Daily before each shift
- Scaffold inspection
- Weekly and after bad weather
- Temporary works
- Daily until removed
- Structure inspection
- Six-monthly for two years, yearly
- Suspended platform test
- Every 12 months, 110%
- Rope examination
- Every three months in use
- H&S committee
- At least every three months
- Noise risk assessment
- Every 24 months
- Noise monitoring
- Every 24 months
Section 24 vs COIDA 39
Section 24
- To the provincial director
- WCL1 or WCL2
- Safety enforcement
COIDA 39
- To the Commissioner
- Within seven days
- Compensation claim
Both can apply together
What To Report, When
- Worker dies on site→Phone provincial director now(Then WCL1 within seven days)
- Limb lost or amputated→Phone, then written notice(Section 24(1)(a))
- Unable to work 14 days→WCL1 or WCL2 notice(Within seven days)
- Treatment beyond first aid→Record in Annexure 1(No director notice)
- Non-employee injured→Notify provincial director forthwith(GAR 8(3))
- Employee injured at work→Report to the Commissioner(COIDA, seven days)
- Occupational disease found→Practitioner tells chief inspector(Within 14 days)
Incident Reporting Forms
- Section 24 trigger
- Death, unconsciousness, limb loss
- 14-day rule
- Unable to work 14 days
- Immediate report
- Forthwith by telephone or fax
- Written notice
- WCL1 or WCL2, seven days
- Death after notice
- Notify director forthwith
- Non-employee injury
- Notify provincial director forthwith
- Incident record
- Annexure 1, three years
- Also recorded
- Treatment beyond first aid
- Investigation start
- Within seven days
- Findings entry
- Into Annexure 1 immediately
- Committee review
- At its next meeting
- Scene preservation
- Inspector consent to disturb
- Allowed anyway
- Rescue, remove casualties, prevent recurrence
- Disease notice
- Practitioner, within 14 days
- Fatality on site
- Client ensures the report
Confined Space Numbers
Oxygen 20%, LEL 25% or 10%
Oxygen below 20% controls25% LEL, no ignition10% LEL, other workAttendant trained in resuscitation
Noise Limit vs Action Level
Noise-rating limit
- 85 dBA rating level
- 137 dBC peak
- Noise zone applies
Noise action level
- 82 dBA rating level
- Needs ototoxic co-exposure
- Or whole-body vibration
Co-exposure lowers the trigger
Health, Noise & Welfare Limits
- First aid box
- More than five employees
- First aider trigger
- More than 10 employees
- First aider ratio
- One per 50 employees
- Shops and offices
- One per 100 employees
- Noise-rating limit
- 85 dBA, 137 dBC peak
- Noise action level
- 82 dBA with co-exposure
- Noise zone
- Demarcate, hearing protection compulsory
- Noise records
- Kept for 40 years
- NIHL Regulations repeal
- 6 September 2026
- Showers
- One per 15 persons
- Sanitary facilities
- One per 30, each sex
- Changing rooms
- Provided for each sex
- Eating areas
- Sheltered, clean, maintained
- Confined space oxygen
- Below 20% needs controls
- LEL, no ignition source
- Below 25% of LEL
- LEL, other work
- Below 10% of LEL
- Confined space attendant
- Trained in resuscitation, outside
Common Traps
Exam, not interview
CHSO writes a Council exam ≠ PrCHSA sits an interview
Item count is unpublished
SACPCMP publishes no item count ≠ Third-party counts are invented
First aider ratio splits
Construction: one per 50 ≠ Shops and offices: one per 100
Permit is not notification
Permit: client, 30 days ≠ Notify: contractor, seven days
Two reports, two laws
Section 24 to the director ≠ COIDA 39 to the Commissioner
No SANS number in regs
Regulation 16(2) points to standards ≠ Section 44 incorporates them
Prescription changed in 2026
Now three years from accident ≠ Twelve months is outdated
Limit is not action level
85 dBA is the limit ≠ 82 dBA needs co-exposure
Weights are not published
No SACPCMP exam blueprint exists ≠ Annexure B lists knowledge areas
Last Minute
- 1.Pass is 60%; below 35% archives
- 2.35-59% re-writes within six months
- 3.Exam fee R711.07 for 2026/27
- 4.Item count and time: not published
- 5.CHSO needs NQF 5, four years
- 6.Reg 8(5) appoints the CHSO
- 7.Permit 30 days; notify seven days
- 8.Client audits every 30 days
- 9.Audit report to PC: seven days
- 10.Excavations inspected daily before shift
- 11.Scaffold inspected weekly, after weather
- 12.Annexure 1 records kept three years
- 13.Investigate incidents within seven days
- 14.One first aider per 50 workers
- 15.85 dBA limit; 82 dBA action
- 16.Fall arrest only if prevention impracticable
- 17.Committee meets every three months
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