Bringing the classroom to the construction site

Construction Site Visit Brings Occupational Medicine and Occupational Hygiene Classroom to Life

A recent visit to various construction sites provided Occupational Hygiene and Occupational Medicine and Health students from the University of Pretoria with invaluable hands-on experience. Students were exposed to real-world work environments where they observed potential hazards, assessed risk levels and explored possible occupational diseases and injuries that may arise in the construction industry.

Each year, the Master Builders Association (MBA North) collaborates with the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Health Sciences to host future Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practitioners at various member sites.

On 13 June 2025, a total of 45 students, accompanied by MBA North Construction Health and Safety (CHS) Officers, were divided among the following construction sites:

• WBHO Construction (Pty) Ltd  Vantage Data Centre JNB 12-1
• Tiber Construction (Pty) Ltd – Sandton Gate Phase 2
• Washirika 3 Oaks (Pty) Ltd – Monte Circle Building G
• VIVA Projects Johannesburg (Pty) Ltd – Rivonia Apartments

During the site visits, the students engaged in the following activities:

• Received an overview of each project, including work processes, anticipated hazards and risks, and potential occupational diseases and injuries;
• Conducted site walkthroughs to observe processes, control measures and safety procedures; and
• Participated in discussions on a variety of OHS-related topics.

One of the key takeaways from the visit was the opportunity for students to visualise and understand the practical challenges and considerations that construction workers face daily. Beyond technical knowledge, the experience emphasised the collaborative nature of construction projects and highlighted the importance of effective communication in maintaining a safe and productive work environment.