The fourth yearly Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Africa Expo event is to be held in Midrand, Johannesburg, in May.

The expo will provide risk managers and health and safety professionals with Africa’s most comprehensive health and safety offerings at one venue.

“As companies consolidate their assets, there is sometimes the temptation to cut corners to save money on occupational health and safety (OHS). However, with the stringent regulations imposed by the departments of Mineral Resources and Energy Affairs, any imprudence in terms of required OHS measures is ill advised,” says Joshua Low, director of global media group UBM Montgomery, the event’s organiser.

Low remarks that it is common for OHS managers and risk managers to be unsure about which safety products will be the most suitable for a specific application and, traditionally, the managers have often been limited by the advice provided by a small number of suppliers.

The expo seminar programme provides visitors with a wealth of information about trends in the market, legislation pertaining to OHS matters and advice on implementing OHS programmes.

The South African mining sector – which contributes more than 18% towards the country’s gross domestic product – is charac-terised by difficult and demanding work conditions, and special attention is needed to ensure the health and safety of workers.

Reinforced boots, earplugs, goggles or visors, hardwearing jackets and pants, reflective vests, safety helmets and gloves form the staple gear of every mineworker’s personal protective equipment. Other, more specialised equipment is also used to determine chemical and noise levels, as well as the presence of fire and explosions. Radio frequency identification tagging systems not only track employees and assets but also alert mine vehicles to the presence of pedestrians to ensure high safety levels.

The OSH Expo Africa 2014 will be colocated with the International Fire and Security Exibition.

“With a tightening of budgets across the board, organisations are aiming to reduce operating and incidental costs. The technology, services and advice offered at the OSH Expo Africa 2014 will provide industry professionals with the opportunity to reduce downtime and costs pertaining to on-site accidents and fatalities. This, in turn, will lead to a positive organisational image and a healthier bottom line,” Low concluded.