Print Page
Community Search
| About us |
|
SAIOH'S HISTORY
After the Commission of Inquiry on Occupational Health in South Africa the Erasmus Report was published in 1976 and after several informal / impromptu discussions as well as a request from the Department of Labour, a meeting was organised with the aim to discuss the formation of an organisation for the occupational hygiene profession. The prime objective of this meeting was to determine the need for an organisation to promote and protect the professional status of occupational hygienists. A sub-committee was formed to investigate, define and report on the following: what an occupational hygienist is define the responsibilities of OHASA as well as what the responsibilities of the "new organization" will be aim for the establishment and maintenance of international recognition register occupational hygienists according to set criteria ensure good working relationship between the newly established organisation and OHASA. In February 1992, nominations for the transitional committee of IOHSA were called for. This committee consisted of elected representatives from the following sectors:
The transitional committee then established an examination committee, professional categories, evaluation standards and the constitution. Following a presentation made by Dr John Johnston and Dr Johan Schoeman in Geneva, Switzerland, IOHSA was granted membership to the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) in Stockholm in 1996. After several meetings the OHASA and IOHSA Councils began joint meetings early in 1998. A strategic objective setting meeting was held in March 2000 and the Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene officially launched, with a new name, new logo and new council members. With the formation of SAIOH, the initial objective of creating awareness of SAIOH as a professional institute and enhancing occupational hygiene as a discipline could now be reached.
SAQA
The SAIOH PCC has set minimum learning standards and qualifications for the recognition of competency in occupational hygiene practice based on those recommended by the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA). In order to receive recognition of their professional status in South Africa, applicants may apply to be assessed, certified and registered by the SAIOH PCC. SAQA is a governmental body that will provide oversight of the conduct of the SAIOH PCC and ensure it carries out candidate assessments in accordance with its own rules and procedures. It will ensure that the PCC treats all applicants with equity and fairness. It will also maintain an accurate and up-to-date register of members and will investigate and respond to complaints and appeals. It will also provide representatives of interested and affected parties with a means of interacting with SAIOH to ensure that OH professionals serve the needs of wider society as well as the OH profession itself. Once a candidate has successfully completed and passed the required assessment at the appropriate level and paid the appropriate fees, the candidate will then be placed on the Professional Bodies’ register. In order for the candidate to become official certified with SAIOH the candidate will be issued a certification invoice (pro-rata) and once this invoice is paid the candidate will then be able to access his/her SAIOH Member Certificate.
Any certified member with SAIOH may include the following terms (appropriate designation) in their Title.
NOTE: No other terms, wording, abbreviations or acronyms other than those above are permitted. These terms only apply to natural persons and may not be applied to organisations or bodies associated with those persons. |
