The Department of Employment and Labour Inspector General: Inspections and Enforcement Services (IES), Ms Aggy Moiloa, alluded to the fact that the Occupational Health and Safety is a future to be taken with concern for the South African generation.

The Inspector General was delivering the opening and welcome address for the first day of the three day 2023 National Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Conference at the Emerald Casino and Resort at Vanderbijlpark, earlier today (16 August 2023).

Ms Moiloa said the conference should not be treated as simple as chores, but said “it is also ensuring that our future generations are assured of a country that they will be able to live in proudly. The health and safety matters transcend now that they have a knock effect and can cause unmatched damage to current and future generations".

The conference, which is expected to be attended by 500 delegates from the Department of Employment and Labour and other business stakeholders is hosted under theme: “Prevention of injuries and diseases in the iron and steel sector".

“And I think as we proceed with our conference, it will get clearer why we chose that theme. But do we really understand what prevention of injuries and diseases mean, do we really understand how the outcome could be if we all took these very seriously", said Ms Moiloa.

In the items for discussion and persons responsible, a number of influencers include presentations from researchers and specialised experts in the iron and steel industry.

The Minister of Employment and Labour, Mr T.W. Nxesi, along with the Deputy Minister, Ms Boitumelo Moloi, are expected to attend to part-take in the address of the conference tomorrow (17 August 2023).

The Department of Employment and Labour's Deputy Director: Statutory Services, Mr Mxolisi Yabo, made a presentation on the enforcement of the OHS legislation –painting a relevant picture on the importance of the legislation in terms of the workplace in South Africa.

The International Labour Organisation 155 Convention (Article 4) makes a provision that all nations that have rectified this convention must, in the light of their national conditions and practice, develop national policy on OHS and working environment.

“The aim of the policy is to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of activities that are work related. And by minimising as far as reasonable practicable the causes of hazards inherent in the working environment. 

“And in terms of our constitution, the Bill of Rights Chapter Two, Section 24 makes a provision for our environment and it reads, everyone has a right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing," Mr Yabo told the attendees.

In addition, he said everyone who believes in the infringement of the latter, have a right to challenge the matter constitutionally.

The conference will continue until Friday (18 August 2023) and the media is invited to attend.

For more information, contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694 

Teboho.Thejane@labour.gov.za

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Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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