Ms Milly Ruiters joined the Inspections and Enforcement Services Branch at the beginning of April 2023 as the new Chief Inspector OHS. This followed my retirement at the end of February 2022. At the time, I had been the longest serving Chief Inspector OHS over the previous two to three decades. What is great in many respects is that in 2009 I was responsible for employing Ms Ruiters.
Born in Promosa Potchefstroom and matriculated in 1997, Ms Ruiters holds a BSc Biological Science, BSc Honors in Industrial Physiology, MSc Occupational Hygiene and MBA from NWU. Ms Ruiters also has two postgraduate qualifications viz. Project Management and Ergonomics, and is registered as an Occupational Hygienist.
Until the end of March 2023, Ms Ruiters was employed by the Compensation Fund as Chief Director: Medical Benefits.
Her former experience in the Department of Employment and Labour was as a Senior Specialist (Director) Occupational Health and Hygiene from 2009 until 2017. Prior to that she was Manager for Medical services at Necsa from 2004 until 2009. From 2001 until 2004, she was employed at Denel as Occupational Health and Hygiene officer.
Ms Ruiters has more than 21 years of experience in the medical field specialising in occupational health, hygiene and medical aid for injured workers.
During her 21 years of employment in the field she managed occupational hygienists, occupational health nurses, radiographers, occupational medical practitioners, medical doctors and labour inspectors.
Ms Ruiters was employed at the time as part of the vision I had which was to redirect all resources towards ensuring that there was a greater focus on occupational health and hygiene, an area largely ignored and lacking focus for many years, and Ms Ruiters was employed to make the required changes.
Through the employment of an additional 500 OHS inspector about three to four years ago, the majority were required to have qualifications that allowed them to focus on occupational health and hygiene.
The Decent Country Work Programme that South Africa signed with the ILO encapsulates what Ms Ruiters and her team will need to focus on and implement over the 5 years indicated. To accomplish what she needs to do, she will need to fully rely on her tripartite structures which includes the Advisory Council for OHS.
Most importantly, you, every single one of you who seeks to make a difference needs to rise and be counted.
Be the change you want to see!
by Mr Tibor Szana, Retired Chief Inspector OSH