Learn Safety and Compliance for Engineering Contractors

Engineering is not a desk job. It’s a boots-on-the-ground kind of business—especially when you're dealing with construction sites, power stations, mining ops, or civil infrastructure builds. And while project delivery is always top of mind, safety and compliance are the real foundation everything rests on.
Whether you’re hiring for a short-term shutdown or a long-term upgrade, overlooking safety credentials can cost you more than just delays. You’re looking at legal liabilities, financial penalties, and—worst of all—potential harm to people.
So let’s talk about what compliance really means in engineering contracting, how to ensure your team meets the mark, and how we at Network Contracting Solutions help you avoid costly mistakes.
Why Safety and Compliance Aren’t Optional
In engineering, risk comes with the territory—high-voltage equipment, heavy machinery, hazardous materials, working at heights, and time-critical environments.
But risk mismanaged? That’s a whole different problem.
Here’s what’s on the line:
- Legal consequences – Employers are still responsible for contractor safety under South Africa’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
- Financial setbacks – One non-compliance incident can halt a site, void insurance, and rack up major fines.
- Reputational damage – In engineering, word travels fast. A safety lapse today can make future tenders harder to win.
Contractors don’t just need the technical skills—they need to know the rules and respect the rules. And you need to be confident they’ll do exactly that.
What “Compliance” Really Means in Engineering
Compliance isn’t just red tape or tick boxes. It’s about ensuring that everyone on-site—whether full-time staff or external contractors—is working within safe, regulated boundaries.
In an engineering context, compliance includes:
- Adhering to South Africa’s
OHSA and
Construction Regulations
- Following
SANS (South African National Standards) for equipment, design, and process
- Meeting
industry-specific safety expectations for mining, energy, civil works, and more
- Maintaining valid
certifications and licences relevant to the job at hand
More and more companies are using compliance as a differentiator. It’s no longer just about filling roles. It’s about filling them right.
South African Safety Standards: What You Need to Know
If you’re hiring engineering contractors, here’s the minimum your team should be aware of:
- OHSA (Occupational Health and Safety Act) – The foundation of all workplace safety law in South Africa
- Construction Regulations (2014) – Specific rules around site access, fall protection, scaffolding, and equipment use
- SANS standards – Technical specifications covering everything from welding procedures to electrical systems
- ISO 45001 – The global benchmark for occupational health and safety management systems
Depending on the sector, there may be additional requirements. For example:
- Mining – Contractors need Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) compliance and may need mine-specific inductions.
- Energy – High-voltage and working-at-height certifications are non-negotiable.
- Civil engineering – Road closures, trenching, and confined space protocols all require documented compliance.
What Are Your Responsibilities as an Employer?
Just because someone is a contractor doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.
Under OHSA, you’re still legally responsible for creating a safe working environment. That includes:
- Providing a
site-specific safety induction
- Making sure contractors understand and follow your
internal safety policies
- Giving them access to relevant
risk assessments and
emergency protocols
If an incident happens and a contractor wasn’t adequately trained or informed—you’ll be the one answering questions.
How to Vet Engineering Contractors for Safety
Don’t assume a candidate “probably” has the right paperwork. Ask for it. Review it. And verify it.
Here’s what you should look for:
- Certifications like:
- Working at Heights
- Confined Space Entry
- SHE Rep (Safety, Health & Environment Representative)
- First Aid and Firefighting Level 1
- Track record of incident-free projects
- Up-to-date training records, especially if the contractor is returning to site after a break
- Proof of compliance with sector-specific safety protocols
Network Contracting Solutions will help here—because we do this vetting for you, before you even see the CV.
Risk Mitigation Starts Before the Job Starts
Hiring contractors without a safety strategy is like building a bridge without a blueprint. You might get lucky—but chances are, you won’t.
Set yourself up for success with:
- Written safety policies in every contract – including disciplinary procedures for non-compliance
- Detailed onboarding checklists – from PPE requirements to permit-to-work procedures
- Ongoing compliance monitoring – toolbox talks, audits, refresher training, and real-time check-ins
This is not a “set and forget” exercise. Safety is a culture, not a document.
How We Help You Stay Compliant
At Network Contracting Solutions, we don’t just find the right person—we find the right person with the right paperwork.
Our contractor safety process includes:
- Pre-placement vetting of
all safety credentials and experience
- Ensuring up-to-date compliance with industry regulations
- Ongoing access to
training and refresher programmes
- Support for clients during audits or incident investigations
The result? You get peace of mind. And your project keeps moving forward—safely.
Ready to hire with confidence? Submit your job spec, and we’ll take it from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What safety protocols must engineers follow?
Protocols depend on the role, but often include PPE usage, equipment handling, confined space entry, electrical lockout procedures, and working at heights standards.
How is compliance verified when hiring contractors?
Through documented certifications, safety training records, incident reports, and vetting by staffing agencies like Network Contracting.
What liabilities do I carry with contractors?
Even with external hires, you’re responsible for ensuring your site is safe, your induction is thorough, and all contractors comply with OHSA regulations.
Safety Isn’t Optional. It’s Operational.
In engineering, nothing happens without people—and nothing should happen without safety.
When you work with Network Contracting Solutions, you get more than talent. You get risk-reduced, regulation-ready, safety-conscious professionals who know how to deliver without cutting corners.
Need help finding contractors who tick every box? Talk to us—we’ll help you build your team with safety front and centre.



