The Inspection and Enforcement Services branch of the Department of Employment and Labour has concluded the 2025 National Occupational Health and Safety Conference which was held at Klerksdorp, North West Province since Wednesday, 26 February 2025.

The three-day conference themed “Improving Health and Safety in

the Iron and Steel Sector" had speakers from different institutions sharing methodologies and practices that can assist in the quest towards achievement of vision 2029 of the Department of Employment and Labour which is aimed at attaining zero injuries and diseases in workplace.

Wrapping-up the conference, the Inspector General of the Department of Employment and Labour, Aggy Moiloa said the conference was important in that all key stakeholders who were present were clear in that together they should hold each other accountable in ensuring that the workforce is preserved.

“We managed to put a spotlight on the Iron and steel sector, particularly that it is one of the sectors that has high levels of non-compliance. Out of this conference we all agreed that there is more that still need to be done, and collaboration should be key going forward" said Moiloa in her closing remarks.

The Iron and Steel sector was as far back as 2004 identified as one of the high risk sectors based on the information gathered through the preventative and reactive systems where it was found that the Sector contributed just over 22% of the total incidents reported.

The conference covered among others the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) Amendment Bill; Unemployment Insurance Fund Compliance; OHS international perspectives; snapshot of compliance in the Iron and Steel sector; OHS strategy; Violence and Harassment at the workplace Implications on OHS, Construction challenges in the Iron and Steel; Future of Major Hazardous Installations; Future of Engineers in the Iron and steel Sector, importance of qualifications in the sector;  National Code of Practice for Training Providers of Lifting Machine Operators; Electrical Machinery in Hazardous locations; Legal implications of Electrical Installations; Safe Handling of gases within the reticulation environment;

importance of inspection and tests of the pressure equipment and artificial intelligence as well as robotics in the iron and steel sector.

Over 400 delegates that include strategic stakeholders from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Organised Labour, Organised Business and other specialists in the Iron and Steel Sector attended. 

For media enquiries contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment

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