Workers in South Africa are exposed to large numbers of occupational and environmental health and safety hazards in their workplaces. This exposure can result in a multitude of adverse health outcomes including tuberculosis (TB), HIV and occupational respiratory diseases, and can precipitate or worsen noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension,work-related stress and cancer. Around the globe, many workplaces strive to prevent or manage occupational and non-occupational diseases through wellness and other programmes that help to support a healthy, safe and productive workforce.There are many workplaces in South Africa that certainly adhere to national and international best practice, but it is imperative that there is a mindset change towards greater prevention, and there is an urgent need to reduce the heavy burden of work-related diseases and related deaths in South Africa.