What's changed in construction compliance

The biggest change for contractors is that the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Act 10 of 2022 was brought into operation by proclamation gazetted in January 2026, which reshapes the compensation regime employers work under. Alongside that, letters of good standing lapsed in bulk during 2026 and the Department of Employment and Labour has been running multidisciplinary blitz inspections that shut sites down on the spot.

Reviewed by TefCo Compliance Research — last verified 7 September 2026.

In short

The COID Amendment Act 10 of 2022 was brought into operation by Proclamation 306, gazetted 23 January 2026.
COIDA letters of good standing lapsed on a fixed date in 2026 — many contractors were caught with an expired letter mid-project.
The Department of Employment and Labour has been shutting down non-compliant sites in blitz inspections, not just issuing notices.
Nothing here is optional: all three affect whether you can be on site next week.

COID Amendment Act 10 of 2022 in operation

The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Act 10 of 2022 was brought into operation by proclamation published in the Government Gazette on 23 January 2026.

The amendment changes aspects of the compensation regime that employers operate under, including how the Fund administers claims and employer obligations. Because commencement can be phased, confirm which provisions apply to your situation with the Compensation Fund or your advisor before changing internal procedure.

The practical starting point for contractors is unchanged: be registered, file the Return of Earnings, pay the assessment and hold a current letter of good standing.

We do not itemise the substantive amendments here because the phased effect of each provision needs confirmation against the gazette. Take advice on your specific position rather than acting on a summary.

Letters of good standing lapsed in bulk

COIDA letters of good standing expired on 30 April 2026, which caught out a large number of contractors mid-project. The letter is tied to the Return of Earnings and the assessment, so reinstating it means bringing the whole account current, not requesting a new PDF.

For a principal contractor this is a subcontractor problem as much as an own problem: your subcontractors' letters lapsed on the same day.

Enforcement got physical

The Department of Employment and Labour has been running multidisciplinary blitz inspections and shutting down non-compliant workplaces, including construction sites. Reported actions include a Rustenburg manufacturing shutdown in September 2025, Eastern Cape blitz inspections in October 2025, a Franschhoek construction suspension in July 2025, and a Durban crackdown on illegal construction in December 2025.

The pattern is consistent: inspectors arrive unannounced, check appointments, the health and safety file, and worker registration, and issue prohibition notices where the work is unsafe.

What to do this quarter

Check the expiry date on your own letter of good standing and on every subcontractor's.
File the Return of Earnings and clear the assessment so the letter can be reissued.
Confirm your CIDB annual update is done and your three-year renewal is not approaching.
Walk one site as if you were the inspector: appointments, health and safety file, induction register, plant inspections.
Take advice on which COID Amendment Act provisions affect your business specifically.

Frequently asked

Is the COID Amendment Act in force?

It was brought into operation by proclamation gazetted on 23 January 2026. Because commencement can be phased, confirm which provisions apply to you before changing procedure.

Why did my letter of good standing stop working?

COIDA letters of good standing expired on 30 April 2026. A new letter is issued only once the Return of Earnings is filed and the assessment is paid.

Can an inspector really shut my site down?

Yes. Inspectors from the Department of Employment and Labour have issued prohibition notices and shut down non-compliant workplaces, including construction sites.

Sources

TefCo Corporate Compliance (Pty) Ltd is a compliance management platform, not a legal, tax or advisory firm. This guide is general information, not advice. Fees, dates and thresholds change — confirm current figures with the regulator before you rely on them.