Twin double-digit birthdays in 2020

The South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Saiosh) and Africa’s foremost occupational health and safety (OHS) trade show – A-OSH Expo – are both celebrating a decade of existence this year

Neels Nortjé, chief executive officer and founding member of Saiosh, clarifies: “On 11 February 2010, a group of passionate South African health and safety professionals established Saiosh on the historic day that the country also celebrated the 20^th anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from prison.”

He adds: “Three years later, Saiosh was recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as a professional body to register OHS professionals in South Africa in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act 67 of 2008. Today, Saiosh is the largest OHS professional body in Africa, with some 15 500 members, and is the only SAQA-recognised professional body of OHS practitioners.”

Nortjé is immensely proud of the work that has been done by Saiosh, a registered non-profit organisation committed to the prevention and reduction of workplace incidents and accidents, over the past 10 years. He says: “OHS practitioners 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.”

The partnership between Saiosh and A-OSH Expo has been in place since the birth 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.

Since then, Saiosh has continued to hold its event in parallel with A-OSH Expo every year, at which local and international speakers present the latest trends and updates in the OHS arena.

A-OSH Expo is annually hosted by Specialist Exhibitions, a part of the Montgomery Group, at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

Event director Sven Smit comments: “Celebrating our first completed decade during this 2020 event is a notable achievement and we could not be prouder of having placed health and safety wellness at work firmly in the spotlight on an annual basis.

“This trade show plays a very important role in assisting people across multiple industries, focusing on health and wellness issues within the work environment. Being in double digits in 2020, and celebrating our first decade, means that A-OSH Expo, as well as Saiosh, are both thriving.”

A-OSH Expo takes place from August 18 to 20 and is co-located with Securex South Africa 2020, Africa’s leading show within the security and fire sectors, as is the Facilities Management Expo, which brings together all aspects of products and services associated with property and building management and maintenance.

Exhibition organiser Specialised Exhibitions has opted to reschedule its Securex South Africa, A-OSH Expo and Facilities Management Expo trade shows for August 18 to 20, 2020, following developments in the Covid-19 national state of disaster.

Similarly, we will move the SHEQMAG Awards to these dates.

These events will still take place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.