The SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE has established some twenty Scientific Committee’s, whose members have a specific interest in the subject and are prepared to share their expertise by contributing to guidelines for all occupational health practitioners.

1.  Objectives of SASOM Scientific Committees include:

• To provide guidelines covering topics related to occupational health, occupational hygiene, occupational and environmental medicine, medical surveillance and biological monitoring including relevant aspects of good practice, in its widest sense.

• To provide a platform open to all professionals and stakeholders in the field of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

• To act as a scientific base for discussion groups, mainly through electronic mail, telephonic contact and minimal meetings.

• To provide this service at no charge. The main function of the Scientific Committees is to update and expand SASOM guidelines and knowledge.

2.  Formation of Scientific Committees

A group of Occupational Medicine professionals in good standing, who share a field of scientific interest, may establish a Scientific Committee. Members of a group, wishing to establish a scientific committee, should submit to the SASOM Executive a list of members, the scope of the activity, and a plan of future activities. On approval of the application, the Executive Committee member, with the Scientific Committee portfolio, shall appoint the chairman and the secretary of the newly formed Scientific Committee.

3.  General requirements for membership of Scientific Committees

SASOM members and other Occupational Health professionals in good standing are invited to seek membership in a minimum of one and maximum of three Scientific Committees. The selection of a Scientific Committee should reflect the members’ areas of professional interest and competence. The members should have the time and capability to participate in the activities of the Scientific Committee.

4.   Office bearers within a Scientific Committee

The members of a Scientific Committee propose a Chairperson to the SASOM Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee, if in agreement with the proposal, will appoint the Chairperson for a three-year period. Chairpersons may be re-appointed by the same process, for no more than one additional three-year term.

5.  Criteria for membership of a Scientific Committee   

There are no specific criteria for membership in Scientific Committees beyond the qualifications in (3) above.  Members are encouraged to pursue academic excellence as well as balanced international participation.

6. Sub-committees of a Scientific Committee

The Scientific Committee may form Sub-Committees to deal with various scientific topics, conferences, publications etc.

7.  Corresponding Fellows

Two Corresponding Fellows may be appointed by the Chairman of a Scientific Committee considering the importance of their scientific contribution to the Scientific Committee.

8.  Meetings and symposia

Scientific Committees are encouraged to hold a minimum of one meeting per year, to which all members are invited.  The Scientific Committee Chairperson must present updated reports during the year and at the SASOM Annual General Meeting.

9. Publications

The Scientific Committees are encouraged to develop scientific reports, books, and articles in international scientific journals. Consensus documents developed by the Scientific Committees, under their responsibility, should be presented to the members of SASOM Executive Committee before publication.

10. Sponsorship

Scientific Committees may wish to be listed as sponsors of various conferences, symposia, publications and other public announcements. The SASOM Executive Committee must approve these sponsorships

11.  Conflicts of interest

Scientific Committees must remain scientifically objective.  When a conflict of interest occurs with meetings, sponsorships, publications, etc, the members of SASOM Executive Committee will require full disclosure of the conflict and has the authority to properly intervene.


Interested parties should make contact with the SASOM National Office for more information on existing Scientific Committees.  Telephone: +27 (0) 12 803 7418 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it