www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I September 2025 19
Events and Exhibitions
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Keynote speaker Dr Thuthula Balfour. cases per 100 000 in 1995 to just 158 cases per 100 000 in 2023. Silicosis cases, which stood at 1 778 in 2008, reduced to approximately 230 by 2023. While Noise- Induced Hearing Loss has seen a 55 % reduction from 2 380 cases in 2005 to 702 in 2023, it remains a significant concern, lagging behind the over 80 % reduction seen in other diseases,” said Balfour. These achievements
are largely attributed to the industry ' s adoption of occupational health milestones and the proactive shift towards hygiene, which Balfour championed. New occupational exposure limits( OELs) are also being promulgated, aligning South Africa with international best practices.
Looking to the future, the profession is poised for further evolution, she said.“ The role of professionals has shifted from a reactive, medicine-focused approach to proactive hygiene, a transition reflected in industry advisory committees. The professionalisation of mine ventilation qualifications is also advancing under a new QCTO framework. Importantly, the Society itself is embracing diversity, with women now representing 31 % of its membership, a significant increase from its all-male founding in 1945 and above the broader industry average of 19 %. Future challenges include implementing realtime air quality monitoring, leveraging advanced data analytics and AI for predictive safety, driving environmental sustainability and optimising energy efficiency."
Balfour emphasised the critical need for multidisciplinary teams to engineer out hazards in increasingly deep and complex mines.
She concluded by saying the MVSSA ' s 80-year journey marks a remarkable legacy of progress.“ The profession has a bright future, with the vital responsibility of definitively closing the tap on occupational diseases, driven by a spirit of continuous improvement and collaborative innovation.” RACA
“ The role of professionals has shifted from a reactive, medicinefocused approach to proactive hygiene.”
One of the 20 scientific papers presented over two days.
A packed auditorium.
www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I September 2025 19