What happens at Noshcon …

Another wonderful Noshcon – Nosa’s annual occupational risk management conference and exhibition – is done and dusted … But what transpired is still continuing.

One such thing started at the South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s (Saiosh’s) stand, which was a hive of activity. Delegates were keen to find out more about professional registration for occupational health and safety practitioners in South Africa.

But first things first …

What is Saiosh?

The organisation was established on the historic day when South Africa celebrated the 20th anniversary of the release of former President Nelson Mandela from prison, on 11 February 1990, by a group of enthusiastic South African occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals. Currently Saiosh has 1 800 individual members and 150 corporate members – making it the largest OHS professional body in the country.

Professional registration

In March, this year, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) – for the purpose of the National Qualifications Framework Act, Act 67 of 2008 – approved the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health South Africa (IOSH SA) as the recognised professional body for occupational health and safety practitioners in South Africa.

Saiosh entered the picture as it has been appointed as the registration board of IOSH SA to register OHS practitioners as associate, technical, graduate and chartered members. These members can be ranked at various levels, which include: OHS coordinator, OSH practitioner, OSH professional and certified OHS professional.

“Occupational health and safety practitioners help to promote health and safety practices in the workplace and are trained to recognise hazards,” says Robin Jones, president of Saiosh. “They understand how to assess the risks that might arise from these hazards and they know how to control them.”

But the company doesn’t only register the practitioners. “We are committed to the upgrading of the professional skills of our members by keeping them updated and informed on the latest developments in the field of OHS,” Jones points out. “Seminars and workshops on a wide range of health and safety topics are held on a regular basis for our members,” he continues.

Saiosh also acts as a lobby group for OHS legislation and standards, interacting with the Department of Labour and other government bodies on behalf of its members.

Neels Nortjé, national registrar, adds that Saiosh offers corporate membership to organisations or companies that subscribe to the aims and objectives of the institute. Benefits of Saiosh corporate membership are:

• The company’s logo and web link are displayed on the Saiosh website;

• Free advertising opportunity via Saiosh to its members;

• Preference and discount to exhibit at Saiosh workshops, seminars and conferences; and

• Corporate members may display the Saiosh logo on their stationery, vehicles and websites.

“Practitioners can now formally demonstrate their competence to employers, clients, customers or peers by registering as a member with Saiosh. The institute will maintain a national register of all members,” Nortjé concludes.

For more information visit www.saiosh.com