On 18 August the NIOH hosted an Ethics in Occupational Health and Safety seminar at the Sunnyside Park hotel in Parktown Johannesburg, which focused on the enabling role of ethics in OHS in the quest for decent work and good service delivery.
The seminar was opened by Dr Sophia Kisting, executive Director of NIOH, who is passionate about the enabling role of ethics in OHS. Speakers who delivered presentations included: Prof Leslie London (UCT) , Prof Rodney Ehrlich (UCT), Ms Claudina Noguira (Board member ICOH), Dr Murray Coombs, Dr. Cas Badenhorst (Anglo American), Mr Eric Gcilitshana (NUM) and Mr. Charles Mbekeni (Chamber of Mines). There were two panel discussions; panekl members included Prof Leslie London and Prof Rodney Ehrlich (Occupational medical specialists), Sr. Nodu Nolokwe and Sr Gail Gemell (Occupational nursing practitioners), (Dr Cas Badenhorst & Mr Gopolong Sekobe (Occupational hygienists), Dr Salim Ahmed (Occupational medical practitioner), Ms Hannelie van Vuuren and Mr Eric Gcilitishana ( Trade Union Federations: Solidarity and NUM).
The speakers presented on topics including: Ethics in OH; Overview of the ICOH international code of ethics and changes in the 2014 version; Ethics in OH practice relating to SASOM guidelines; OHS clinical services – perspective from workers on challenges and possible solutions; Code of ethics for SAIOH; and ethical dilemmas in OHS.