Year in review

While the Saiosh brand has remained resilient, 2017 has been a year of volatility with a number of challenges raised by economic, political and social forces. Here are some highlights from Saiosh for the year 

Saiosh membership has grown consistently in excess of 200 members per month. The Institute had 9 511 members as at September 30.

Continuing professional development (CPD) occupational health and safety (OHS) workshops

Saiosh holds regular free CPD OHS workshops for its members. The topics are carefully selected to ensure that members are kept up to date with the latest developments in the OHS field. The workshops are also accredited by the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) with three CPD hours.

More than 600 members attend one round of workshops and they are held twice a year. For those who cannot attend the workshops, we record them and provide all members with the link to view them via webinar in their own time.

Free legal updates

Saiosh entered into an agreement with a legal software service provider to provide all Saiosh members free access to all the latest legal updates of more than 800 Acts.

Members have access to the update notice and the actual included text into the law title in comparative. Members qualify for a 50-percent discount should they which to subscribe to the full service.

Free e-learning

Saiosh entered into an agreement with an e-learning training provider to provide members free access to a construction health and safety e-learning programme. Saiosh covers the cost associated with the programme to enable Saiosh Members to do the courses for free. To date more than 9 000 e-learning modules have been completed by our members.

Health and safety advice and assistance

Saiosh makes use of a state-of-the-art online membership networking programme. Via this online system members can submit “contact forms” and Saiosh provides the necessary advice. During the past 12 months Saiosh processed more than 14 500 online health and safety-related queries.

Health and Safety Newsletter

Saiosh is committed to the upgrading of the professional skills of its members by keeping them updated and informed on the latest developments in the field of OHS. Saiosh sends three to four newsletters per month to its members. The news is also posted on the Saiosh Facebook page.

Courses and CPD accreditation

Courses that meet the academic criteria for our first level of professional registration, namely Technical Member (TechSaiosh), qualify for Saiosh course accreditation. To date Saiosh has accredited 54 courses that meet the criteria for professional registration at TechSaiosh level.

Shorter OHS courses (that do not meet the academic requirements for TechSaiosh membership) can be accredited by Saiosh for CPD. Events such as OHS workshops, seminars, conferences and summits can also be CPD accredited. Saiosh has to date accredited 461 courses and events for CPD.

Safety Person and Safety Student of the Year

The Safety Person of the Year award gives recognition to a member for outstanding work in the field of OHS, which may be related to the general field of OHS, or may be for specific activities related to the Institute.

The Student of the Year award is made to a member whose second-year results were exceptional. All the applications received are reviewed by the Saiosh Council. The Top Student gets to attend the Saiosh Health and Safety Conference for free (valued at R10 000).

Bursaries/funding

Saiosh developed and implemented a bursary fund policy  after confirmation was received that Saiosh will be receiving an annual safety grant from Federated Employers Mutual (FEM). The call for applications for the academic year of 2017 was opened in October 2016 and I’m pleased to report that Saiosh awarded four bursaries in January 2017.

Liaising and attending all OHS stakeholder meetings

Saiosh attended over 50 stakeholder meetings and events during the past 12 months.

Financial Report

Saiosh needs to specifically acknowledge the most generous sponsorship from FEM. This sponsorship will enable Saiosh to widen its services to all members and specifically towards those in the construction industry.

Conclusion

Thank you to the Saiosh staff for their dedication and hard work. The CEO, Neels Nortjé, must be acknowledged for being an exemplary leader. The passion displayed by this highly effective team has been phenomenal.

Thank you to my fellow colleagues on the Council during the year. I wish to thank all our corporate members for their continued support and participation in Saiosh activities.

We honour and thank our members for their professionalism and dedication to ensuring that workers can go home safe to their families every day.