OHSA compliance checklist for employee medicals
A general overview of what South African employers commonly need to think about for occupational health medical surveillance, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).
This is educational content, not legal advice. It doesn't cite specific clauses or sections of OHSA or COIDA, and it doesn't determine what your company is legally required to do. ClinicPlus Companion is a booking and recordkeeping tool — it doesn't perform or certify compliance. For obligations specific to your workforce and sites, consult a qualified occupational health and safety practitioner or legal advisor, or the Department of Employment and Labour.
Why medical surveillance exists
OHSA generally requires employers to protect the health and safety of employees in their workplace, which for many industrial, mining, and construction employers includes medical surveillance — checking that employees are fit for their role and monitoring for work-related health effects over time. COIDA governs compensation for occupational injuries and diseases, which is part of why accurate medical records matter beyond the booking itself.
Common surveillance touchpoints
- Pre-employment or entry medicals before an employee starts a role
- Periodic medicals during employment, at intervals appropriate to the role and risk exposure
- Exit medicals when an employee leaves or changes role
- Induction for roles or sites that require it
- Screening relevant to the specific hazards of the role (for example, drug, sugar, or hearing and lung function checks)
What's generally useful to keep on record
Employers commonly keep records of which medicals were done, when, and for which employee and role, so that surveillance intervals can be tracked and exit medicals can confirm whether a recent medical already exists. This is the same information Companion's roster and appointment history are built to hold — see the recordkeeping guide.
Where Companion fits, and where it doesn't
Companion helps organize and book the medicals your compliance process calls for, and keeps a record of what was booked. It doesn't determine your legal obligations, interpret OHSA or COIDA for your specific workforce, or issue compliance certification — those remain the responsibility of your organization and its occupational health advisors.