Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 1993 (Act No. 130 of 1993)

Notice No. 936

27 June 2003

GG 25132

Department of Labour

The following circular instruction is issued to clarify the position in regard to compensation of claims for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This circular instruction comes into effect on 01 April 2003 and supersedes all previous circular instructions i respect of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is regarded as an occupational injury in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, No. 130 of 1993, as amended (COIDA); therefore, an extreme traumatic event or stress or must be an accident as defined in section 1 of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, No. 130 of 1993, as amended (COIDA). An occupational injury is an injury caused by an accident arising out of and in the course of an employee’s employment and resulting in a personal injury requiring medical aid or resulting in disability or death and does not include an occupational disease in any form except if that occupational disease results from an occupational injury.