A-OSH EXPO 2023 starts today at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand and will run until 8 June. It is not only Africa’s largest platform for occupational safety and health (OSH) products and services, but also provides visitors with the opportunity to find out more about current trends and regulations.
Mark Anderson, portfolio director at Specialised Exhibitions – a division of Montgomery Group. Image credit: Specialised Exhibitions
“The free-to-attend Saiosh Seminar Theatre, held over the three days of the Expo, will host 14 thought-provoking seminar topics presented by industry professionals from both the private and public sectors. The seminar programme covers a wide variety of themes, including PPE, lifting, labelling of chemicals, H&S challenges on construction sites, online COIDA claims, and accident investigations,” says Mark Anderson, portfolio director at Specialised Exhibitions – a division of Montgomery Group.
A-OSH EXPO is co-located with Securex South Africa – which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year – together with Facilities Management Expo and the recently launched Firexpo. “This allows visitors to not only source a wide range of safety solutions from the A-OSH EXPO exhibitors, but also to find products and services in the security, facilities management, and fire detection/management sectors,” says Anderson.
Learning opportunities
Phumi Maphaha — the acting Department of Employment and Labour chief inspector for Occupational Health and Safety — will discuss updates on Health and Safety Legislation. He has been in the employ of the state for more than 25 years, in various managerial positions, starting as an inspector in the Department of Employment of Labour and working his way up to director of Construction, Explosives and Major Hazards Installations.
Kyle Graham, from the Lifting Equipment Engineering of Association of South Africa (LEEASA), will provide an update on all aspects of lifting equipment safety.
Harold Gaze from Occutech will present on a globally harmonised system of classification and labelling of chemicals. Gaze holds several qualifications in noise control, air pollution, occupational hygiene, health and safety, and environmental health. He is a chartered member of Saiosh and is currently the vice president of the organisation.
‘Identifying what factors influence H&S on construction sites in SA and how we can overcome these challenges’, is the subject of Deon Bester’s session. Bester is the OSH manager at the MBA Western Cape, and has spent the past 35 years involved in the construction industry, of which the past 17 years have been focused on construction health and safety.
Jennie Heesen of ProHas SHE Risk Management Consultants will ‘clear up the mystery’ behind online COIDA claims. She has made it her quest to learn about the Act and how it impacts on the correct completion of all the COIDA related forms.
In addition to thousands of products and technologies on show at the four co-located exhibitions, A-OSH EXPO visitors will benefit from the New Products Display, the Premier Visitor Lounge and the free-to-attend Working at Height & Safety Theatre, powered by SafetyCloud.
“We are grateful to both our exhibitors, and to our sponsors and partners, which include Dromex, Pinnacle Welding, Saiosh, and SafetyCloud, FFETA, FPASA, SAQCC Fire, and SAPEMA,” says Anderson.
A-OSH EXPO supports the Global Exhibition Day (GED), being held globally on 7 June 2023. “We are firm believers that exhibitions serve a very important role by, among others:
- ‘Serving industries by facilitating contacts between exhibitors and visitors so they can showcase products and services, develop contacts and business, and develop reputation and promotion. Industries need events for their development.
- Events also deliver strong economic and social benefits towards the territories where they are held, in terms of jobs and tax income.’
“We consider it fortuitous that this year the GED is taking place during our four co-located events. Furthermore, the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO), will be hosting an event at Gallagher Convention Centre on 7 June,” says Anderson.
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