OHS Compliance & Risk Management14 min readPublished 20 August 2026

Contractor SHE File Checklist: 25 Mandatory Documents in South Africa

The comprehensive contractor compliance guide detailing the 25 mandatory statutory documents required in every South African Health and Safety File for instant site access.

Corporate safety officer auditing comprehensive contractor health and safety file folders with approval stampsThe 25 mandatory statutory compliance records required in South African contractor SHE files.

1. The 25 Mandatory SHE File Documents Breakdown

A compliant contractor safety file is the fundamental gateway to commercial and industrial sites across South Africa. Missing documents lead to immediate gate rejection and project delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long must a Health and Safety File be archived after project completion?

Under Construction Regulation 7(1)(e), the Principal Contractor must consolidate and hand the entire SHE file to the client upon completion to be kept for the life of the structure.

DC
Written by Diba Contractor Auditing PracticeVerified by Orlinda Pieterson
Senior SHE File AuditorsPr.CHSA, Saiosh Master Member

Diba BES is a 100% Black Women-Owned, Level 1 B-BBEE provider delivering occupational health & safety consulting, accredited workplace training, and commercial workplace services across South Africa since 2003.