More than a decade and counting

The South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Saiosh) turned 10 in 2020. Sadly, due to the global pandemic, we couldn’t celebrate this achievement during our 10^th Annual Saiosh OHS Conference, as the 2020 and 2021 events had to be cancelled.

The event is, however, going full steam ahead in 2022, running from May 31 to June 1 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg. It will, as always, be held alongside Africa’s foremost occupational health and safety (OHS) trade show, A-OSH Expo, which will run from May 31 to June 2. The conference and exhibition are the largest of their kind in Africa, and Saiosh is also the sponsor of the free-to-attend three-day seminar theatre at the A-OSH Expo.

The partnership between Saiosh and A-OSH Expo has been in place since the births of both the institute and the event. Saiosh has supported A-OSH Expo since the trade show first opened its doors in 2011, by holding its inaugural annual conference at the same time and within the same grounds.

“The current rules around larger gatherings of people have allowed for the cautious reopening of the local business tourism sector, specifically relating to meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions,” says Mark Anderson, portfolio director at Specialised Exhibitions, the largest trade show organiser in southern Africa.

“These new regulations, as well as the success of our Restart Expo – which demonstrated that it is possible to hold organised gatherings in a controlled, safe way – have made it possible for us to go ahead with exhibitions planned for 2022.”

As chief executive officer and a founding member of Saiosh, I am immensely proud of the work that Saiosh has undertaken over the past 12 years. Saiosh is recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as the professional body to register occupational health and safety professionals in South Africa in terms of the NQF Act, Act 67 of 2008. We are committed to the prevention and reduction of workplace incidents and accidents: people that are professionally registered with Saiosh help to promote health and safety practices in the workplace and are trained to recognise hazards related to health and safety. They understand how to assess and control the risks that might arise from these hazards.

As always, this year’s Saiosh OHS Conference has a great line-up of speakers. The two keynote presenters are Thobile Lamati, Department of Employment and Labour director general, and Lawrence Webb, IOSH UK president elect. Entertainment at the annual awards dinner gala, which will take place on the evening of May 31, will be provided by Carvin H. Goldstone, one of South Africa’s leading stand-up comedians. The Saiosh OHS Person of the Year and the Saiosh OHS Student of the Year will also be announced at the event.

Join the more than 200 delegates that have already registered for the conference by registering online at www.saiosh.co.za.