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FEM Safetember Conferences

Sep 16, 2024 Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM), Nazeer Hoosen, Safetember, occupational health and safety (OHS)


FEM Safetember Conferences

 

The Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM) successfully hosted its highly anticipated Safetember Johannesburg event recently. Safetember is FEM's flagship initiative, launched in 2015, aimed at promoting and enhancing workplace safety standards across South Africa, particularly in the construction industry.

 

The Johannesburg event attracted significant participation from industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders. The event served as a vital platform for discussing and improving occupational health and safety (OHS) through collaborative insights and innovative solutions. The themes for the 2024 Safetember were "Motor Vehicle Accidents and Mental Health in the Workplace."

  

FEM CEO Nazeer Hoosen explained the importance of such events and their relevance in ensuring the development of solutions to improve occupational safety and reduce high accident rates. He emphasised the value of collaboration when it comes to achieving health and safety goals and noted that “The construction industry has a high prevalence of accidents. However, with the correct level of training, awareness, and controls, increased risks can be mitigated. As FEM, we continue to forge ahead in the industry with our awareness campaigns, training programmes, and conferences, as well as provide grants to enable industry bodies to promote the need for health and safety measures widely in our communities.”

 

The keynote address was delivered by Chief Inspector Milly Ruiters (Occupational Health & Safety at the Department of Employment & Labour). She discussed several critical issues, including the need for improved health and safety management systems. Experts from various organisations weighed in on panel sessions. The panel discussions included case studies, discussions on preventing motor vehicle accidents in the construction industry, and measures that can be taken to avoid another building collapse similar to the collapse that occurred in George.

 

FEM Chief Business Development Officer Sanjay Munnoo introduced and gave insight into FEM’s new innovative products, the Construction Accident Prevention Programme and Construction Affinity Programme. He explained that effective occupational health and safety practices extend beyond the workplace, and have a material impact on society and how we interact as a collective. Other FEM staff and Board Members provided insight into various issues related to health & safety compliance, FEM accident statistics, and the influence of labour unions.

 

FEM pensioner beneficiary Abel Ntshabele shared a heart-wrenching story of his accident which resulted in him sustaining extensive burns throughout his body and having both legs amputated. He expressed his gratitude to his company for being insured by FEM as this insurance led to him receiving the medical care he required.

 

Speaking on the event, Munnoo said, "This gathering has been more than just a series of presentations and discussions; it's been a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure that health and safety are prioritized in every aspect of our lives."

 

The new FEM brand and logo was launched by Marketing and Communications Manager, Nomawethu Toyo, who reflected the organisation’s continued commitment to innovation and excellence in safety. Toyo said, "We are here today because, to us at FEM, it’s very important that we stay relevant, that we stay top of mind to all our stakeholders. So, we made sure that we borrow some features of the existing FEM to create our own brand icon, representing unity, community, and the mutuality aspect of who we are as a brand."

 

A prestigious awards ceremony was held after the Johannesburg event, also taking place at Montecasino. FEM honoured policyholders who have maintained exemplary health and safety standards, recognising their unwavering commitment to creating safer work environments. The Durban Safetember event took place on 11 September and the Cape Town event will follow on 20 September, further contributing to Safetember knowledge-share and collaborative goals relating to occupational health and safety.
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