October 2023, Johannesburg – This September, the Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (RF) (Pty) Ltd (FEM) launched their inaugural Health and Safety Magazine. The publication was launched during FEM’s annual Safetember Conference, an event aimed at shining the spotlight on occupational health and safety. The FEM Health & Safety Magazine is an initiative that emphasises the importance of occupational health and safety in the construction sector. A core purpose of the publication is to provide insights on health and safety, aimed at employers, employees, health and safety custodians and the construction industry.

FEM’s, CEO Ndivhuwo Manyonga,  believes the publication is in keeping with FEM’s focus on driving health and safety within the construction industry: “The inaugural health and safety publication will share with you some insights and thought leadership on health and safety in the construction industry, with possible solutions to improving occupational health and safety within the sector”.

The first issue features important opportunities that FEM offers around health and Safety, such as the FEM Mentorship Programme and the FEM and Institute for Work at Height’s Ladder Training Programme. Through engaging storytelling, the publication includes information on FEM’s Upskilling and Reskilling Programme and a testimonial by a beneficiary, Mzamo Ngcobo (titled Mzamo’s Rehabilitation: Hope Through FEM Support). In his interview, Mzamo narrates his tragic story of how a workplace accident caused a permanent life changing disability. However, he goes on to explain that through the Upskilling and Reskilling Programme, he has learnt new skills and has newfound hope about the future.

Mirroring the theme of this year’s Safetember conference, the publication highlights “struck by” incidents (such as “struck by a motor vehicle” on-site) as the leading cause of construction industry accidents. Other article topics include (among many others):

Uplifting Any Profession: why continual health and safety professional development is crucialHealth & Safety Must Bloom: highlighting the higher prevalence of accidents within the local construction industry, versus other industriesHope Through FEM Support: FEM’s promoting of workplace accident prevention, as well as rehabilitation and support for serious and long-term workplace injuries and illnesses

FEM’s Chief Business Development Officer and SAIOSH President, Sanjay Munnoo, said that the publication is an exciting and important initiative that advocates for health and safety in the workplace: “The FEM Health and Safety Committee was excited to embark on this project to launch our first Health and Safety Magazine. Our priority as a Health and Safety Committee has been to proactively drive the approach to improve prevention measures and reduce serious accidents in the construction industry.”

The magazine will be published annually and can be accessed from the FEM website (https://www.fem.co.za/fem-magazine/) with more insightful information and rigorous discourse expected in upcoming issues.  Suggested insights, comments and other contributions from readers can be sent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About The Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (RF) (Pty) Ltd (FEM)

 The Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (RF) (Pty) Ltd (FEM) is a mutual insurer that provides Workmen’s Compensation Cover to the construction industry in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 1993 (COIDA). FEM was established as a mutual insurer in 1936 and, on the introduction of the Workmen’s Compensation Act 1941, was granted a license to continue to transact workmen’s compensation insurance for the construction industry. FEM business operations are essentially confined to the insurance of employers against their liabilities under COIDA , and related Regulations . For more information, visit: www.fem.co.za 

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