OHAIA Association

The main objective of the Association for Occupational Hygiene Approved Inspection Authorities is to promote, represent and protect the interest of Occupational Hygiene Approved Inspection Authorities.
The OHAIA Association is a registered Non Profit Company (Reg. No.:2014/212083/08)

Our Vision

To achieve sustainable growth, we have established a vision with clear goals:

To maximize growth of our overall responsibilities.

To bring to the profession knowledge and competencies that anticipates and satisfies members’ desires and needs.

To nurture a winning networking of partners and building mutual loyalty and integrity in the profession.

To be a responsible national profession that makes a difference in the field of Occupational Hygiene.

Our Mission

To achieve sustainable growth, we have established a vision with clear goals:

Provide a supportive platform for all Types of Occupational Hygiene AIAs at all levels, for sharing information, challenges and experiences;
Stay abreast of and disseminate information on the latest advances in the field of Occupational Hygiene, including changes or proposed changes in legislation and other standards;
Constructively engage with governmental departments and non-governmental organisations that may have an interest in or impact on Occupational Hygiene and Occupational Hygiene Inspection Services;
Constructively engage with any other organisation that could affect the Occupational Hygiene AIA, its roles and function;
Network with other professional bodies in the field Occupational Health and Safety;
Expect from its members to comply with statutory requirements and standards, as far as the mandatory functions and duties of Occupational Hygiene AIAs are concerned as well as compliance with the DoL Requirements for Approved Inspection Authorities;
Require from members to comply and adhere to the rules of the Association;
To provide meaningful input and constructive comments on policies, instructions, rules and legislation imposed by governing bodies such as DoL, SANAS and SAIOH, that may affect the AIA, its employees and the Industry it serves;
To actively participate in drafting of OH related policies, instructions, rules and legislation;
To seek formal recognition, collaborate and regularly meet with all parties with a mutual interest in OH and/or governing any aspect of OH, or providing OH and related services;
Convene regular meetings with all its members to address current issues;
To grow membership and to anticipate and inform members regarding developments and technical matters that may affect AIAs and the OH service industry and to respond on behalf of the Association’s members;
To act on behalf of members with reporting or discussion of grievances raised by members, governmental departments and non-governmental organisations that may have an interest in or impact on Occupational Hygiene and Occupational Hygiene Inspection Services.

A PDF version is available here.

Code of Conduct

The purpose of this code is to set forth guidelines for the professional and ethical conduct of all members of the Association. Membership of the Association implies adherence to the Code of Conduct.
As a Member of the Association, I accept and promise to:

Adhere to the Membership Rules of the Association, as contained in “OHAIA Association Membership Registration Process and Requirements“ as amended from time to time, and the provisions of this Code of Conduct;
Comply with all the requirements set by the Department of Labour for Occupational Hygiene with regard to “Requirements for Approved Inspection Authorities” related to Occupational Hygiene AIAs, as amended from time to time;
Ensure that all employees in professional positions are currently registered with a professional body recognised by the chief inspector of DoL and hold a valid legal knowledge certificate from a recognised institution;
Avoid personal and professional misconduct that might bring the Association or the reputation of the profession into disrepute, recognising that, in particular, legal action that reflects on an AIA’s suitability to operate in the field of Occupational Hygiene may be regarded as misconduct by the Association;
Actively work towards the improvement of OH AIA Services in general and acknowledge the need to protect the reputation and integrity of the profession and the Association;
Support fellow members of the Association in their professional development;
Not discriminate against, bully or harass others on the basis of: cultural and role difference, including (but not exclusively) those involving age, disability, education, ethnicity, gender, language, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital or family status and socio-economic status;
Respect the knowledge, insight, experience and expertise of fellow members, (regardless of career stage) relevant third parties, and members of the general public;
At all times be competent in our professional tasks as per SANS/ISO 17020 and other relevant International Standards;
Be accurate in representing our professional affiliations and qualifications, including such matters as knowledge, skill, training, education and experience;
Take reasonable steps to ensure that our qualifications and competencies are not misrepresented by others and to correct any misrepresentation identified. (Members must recognise and never misrepresent the limits of their knowledge, skills, training, qualifications, educations and experience);
Ensure that our knowledge and skills are kept current and to adopt a culture of sharing of new knowledge and skills;
Observe the laws of South Africa especially those concerned with copyright, confidentiality and freedom of access to information;
Ensure the free flow of information, freedom of speech and freedom of expression and the right of access to information;
Ensure that, upon request, the right information in the right format is provided so that public interest and public good is not compromised;
Ensure that the contractual obligations owed to our employers and/or clients are fulfilled to the best of our ability;
Follow the highest level of personal integrity and competence in the performance of our duties;
Provide and promote the highest level of service that is accurate and unbiased regardless of our own personal beliefs. (The personal views of the member are subordinate to his / her professional principles.);
Not to exercise censorship, but facilitate and allow for the free and equal access to all sources of information;
Treat fellow members and office bearers of Association with respect;
Not to speak in the name of the association, its' Board or committees, without the authorisation of the Board;
Not use our membership of the Association as a means of conveying a level of competency or professional standards, as the OH-AIA Association is not an accrediting body and there is no assessment of competency to attain/retain membership;
Not offer nor accept bribes or inducements either on a personal basis or on behalf of the Association.
Not to disclose any information of any fellow member or the Association to any third party without written consent of the owner of the information, whether obtained by yourself or disclosed by the fellow member or the Association.

Disciplinary Action

Any member may be required to answer enquiries from the Association concerning their professional conduct. Failure to respond within 21 days may lead to suspension and withdrawal of membership. Any actions found to be in contravention of the Association’s Code of Conduct may incur disciplinary action after investigation and consideration by a Commission nominated by Board.
A PDF Membership Form is available here.