The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) provides compensation for employees injured, disabled, or killed in the course of their work. Whether an incident happens on a construction site, in an office, or while travelling for work, employers have a specific, time-bound process to follow — and it starts with the employer, not the doctor or the employee.
An IOD is any personal injury, disease, or death arising out of and in the course of an employee's employment. That's broader than most people assume — it covers injuries on site, in an office, and while travelling for work-related purposes, not only accidents involving physical hazards.
Written or verbal notice must be given to the employer before the end of the shift in which it happened.
The Notice of Accident and Claim for Compensation must be completed whenever an injury leads to medical treatment, disability, or death.
Employers must submit the report through the Department of Employment and Labour's CompEasy system within a strict 7-day window from the date of the incident.
Once submitted, the claim is assessed to determine whether the employee is eligible for compensation, and what it covers.
The 7-day deadline is the part most businesses get caught out on. It's easy to focus on the immediate aftermath of an incident — first aid, investigation, getting someone home safely — and lose track of the compliance clock running in parallel. Missing the window doesn't make the incident go away; it just adds a compliance problem on top of it.
ZeroLapse's Event Log records every incident with full audit trails, assigns follow-ups, and won't let an event be marked closed without a documented corrective action — so nothing slips through while you're focused on the immediate response.
Start Your Free 30-Day TrialRelated reading: What Is a COID Letter of Good Standing? · The Real Cost of OHS Act Non-Compliance
This article is general information for South African employers and isn't legal advice. Consult the Department of Employment and Labour, the Compensation Fund, or a qualified HSE professional for guidance specific to your business.