Company Announcement - One of Africa’s longest-running conferences plays host to leading industry experts, all converging at the Champagne Sports Resort in KwaZulu-Natal, with a view to building upon and improving their current safety standards and practices. Speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and delegates began the first day with a riveting talk by Nick Sloane, South African salvage master heavily involved in the Parbuckling Project – the 30-month long salvage and re-float operation of the Costa Concordia. Attendees of the conference were also treated to an industrial theatre piece from the Adjustment Bureau, presentations from the conference’s platinum sponsors and the opening of the NOSHCON exhibition (with a host of safety experts, brands and stakeholders all displaying and demonstrating the latest developments in managing risk in the workplace). The first day’s activities were rounded off by a performance from Mi Casa, fresh off their international tour.

First off on the second day’s programme was Ken Annandale’s talk on holistic wellness and its efficacy in sustaining optimum levels of productivity. An array of breakaway panels defined the bulk of the rest of the second day’s activities. Topics were as diverse as they were interesting, with speakers presenting on assorted approaches to safety, from resilient business transformation to the simple science of common sense. Andrew Sharman made his seventh appearance at the conference and did not disappoint with his talk on the five truths of being ‘safety savvy’. The evening’s entertainment featured a ‘silent disco’- an experience initially approached with an equal mix of skepticism and trepidation (which were quickly discarded once guests realised the benefits of being able to tailor the choice of music they could dance to).  

The final day began with a lively debate between a panel of experts and delegates, once again followed by a series of breakaway sessions, this time delving into such subjects as the origins of safety risk to tackling risk in global supply chains. The week’s events closed with the NOSCARS award ceremony – where those whose efforts have made a difference to the industry were honoured. The evening was rounded off with a stunning performance by platinum award winning South African singer Lira. NOSA would like to congratulate the NOSCAR, SIC and individual winners for their outstanding Health, Safety and Environmental risk management performance over the past year.