Specialised insurer Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) will participate in the upcoming South African National Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Conference, hosted by the Department of Employment and Labour. The conference, which brings together important stakeholders to advance workplace safety, is recognised as one of the most prominent events in establishing the national OHS agenda. The event will be held at the Protea Hotel in Klerksdorp from February 26 to 28, 2025.

Since its establishment over three years ago, RMA's Prevention Programme has become a critical initiative in enhancing safety and finding innovative ways to improve workers' safety and well-being. The programme enables the prevention of injury at work through education and partnership with stakeholders in the iron and steel sector.

RMA Prevention Programme head Dr Jessica Hutchings stressed the value of participating in forums that promote information exchange and tactical partnerships such as the National OHS conference.

"When we started our programme, we understood from the onset that strong collaboration would be essential for the Prevention Programme to be successful. It is rewarding to see the impact we have made and to have platforms like this conference where we can share insights, learn from others, and continue to drive meaningful change in workplace safety," says Hutchings.

What began as a pilot programme has evolved into a crucial initiative for businesses in the iron and steel industries, with growing interest reflecting its impact on reducing occupational injuries. Through collaborations, workplace incidents have significantly decreased, and demand for participation remains high as more companies seek to join the programme.

RMA’s prevention programme has experienced remarkable growth. In April 2022 the programme only had ten companies, and as of December 2024, the programme has more than 60 companies participating.

“Companies are prioritising the safety of their workers, and some of the participating companies that have joined our programme have reported a decline of up to 50% in workplace injuries. That is the level of impact we are seeing. Our training initiatives help both employers and employees create safer working environments by equipping them with the best OHS practices. We also provide wellness programmes to support overall worker well-being,” concludes Hutchings.

Recently, the Prevention Programme successfully hosted a nationwide roadshow featuring four conferences. Additionally, RMA launched its inaugural Prevention Awards in 2024, recognising outstanding companies and employees for their excellence in occupational health and safety.