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Legislation, Audits & Inspections15 min read•Published 15 August 2026

Section 24 Incident Reporting & DoEL Investigations in South Africa

The authoritative legal protocol for reporting workplace fatalities, major amputations, and chemical releases under Section 24 of the OHS Act, Annexure 1 logs, and DoEL Section 32 formal inquiries.

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Diba Statutory Legal Defense PracticeLead OHS Legal Specialists
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Legal compliance team and safety investigators reviewing accident scene evidence and Department of Labour documentationStatutory Section 24 incident notification, crime scene preservation, and DoEL defense.

1. Section 24 Statutory Reporting Triggers Explained

Under Section 24 of the OHS Act, immediate statutory notification and strict scene preservation are legal prerequisites for any incident causing death, unconsciousness, or permanent loss of limb.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an employer clean up the scene before the inspector arrives?

No. Under Section 24(2), no person may disturb the scene without written inspector authorization, except to rescue injured persons.

DL
Written by Diba Statutory Legal Defense PracticeVerified by Orlinda Pieterson
Lead OHS Legal Specialists • LLB, Pr.CHSA

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.

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