GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Garden Route District Municipality's (GRDM) occupational health and safety (OHS) section was in the spotlight recently when OHS representatives were recognised for their outstanding service at a special event at the George Civic Centre hall.
About 200 employees from across the Garden Route attended the event where health and safety representatives, first-aiders and fire wardens received certificates of recognition for maintaining a consistent, dedicated and compliant-centric approach in the workplace.
In her welcoming address, portfolio chairperson for corporate services Clr Iona Kritzinger praised the corporate services department under the leadership of Trix Holtzhausen for their dedication.
Mayor Memory Booysen, who handed over the certificates to the top achievers and delivered the keynote address, emphasised the important role of health and safety representatives.
Reflecting on the Covid pandemic and the OHS representatives' role, Booysen said, "... when the pawpaw hit the fan, you were sent into the high-risk areas. You had to confront Covid-19 face to face. You were exposed to the areas that posed a risk ... and today, we are here; we sadly lost some of our friends and colleagues, (but) you were not in despair. And for that, we do see you, we hear you, we respect you and we are going to walk the walk with you."
The event was organised by OHS practitioner Loyiso Shoto and the programme directed by the executive manager for Corporate Services responsible for occupational health and safety, Trix Holtshauzen.
The occupational health and safety representatives at Garden Route District Municipality who received certificates.
Emile Conrad, a senior firefighter at GRDM, added harmonious sounds to the event with his saxophone.
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