EXCO SERVICES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Occupational Hygiene Technologist
I am the "Oom" in the EXCO Services Team and the latest member of the Cape Town based consultancy. Born and bred in the Orange Free State, I attended the University of Pretoria (TUKS) for a short period of time. Enrolled in BSc (Agric) but unfortunately, could not complete my studies. Following my stint at TUKS, I joined the South African National Defence Force, where I made the rank of Platoon Sargeant (Corporal). Thereafter, I was employed by ISCOR, where my career in Occupational Hygiene started as an assistant. During my career, I was fortunate enough to work for several Occupational Hygiene Consultancies such as OHTEC, SHELink, Gijima, NOSA and EXCO Services - Gauteng, before I made my way to Cape Town.
Job Titles:
- Occupational Hygiene Technologist
Earth and nature has always been my passion. During my tertiary education at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE), currently known as the North West University, I completed a BSc Degree in Zoology and Physiology. My goal at that stage was to complete a postgraduate degree in Marine Biology. However, during my undergraduate studies, the Physiology Department introduced me to Occupational Hygiene, which was a relatively new and upcoming field in South Africa. After some consideration, I decided to complete my BSc Honours degree in Industrial Physiology.
In 1992, I joined the Department of Mineral Affairs as an industrial technologist, and obtained extensive experience in the mining industry. After a few years, I was fortunate enough to relocate to Saldanha Bay, situated on the West Coast of South Africa, where I joined ArcelorMittal (previously known as Saldanha Steel) as part of the initial Project Team. During this time, I was responsible for environmental management, occupational hygiene management and the implementation of the ISO 14001 Management System, as well as OHSAS 18001.
I joined EXCO Services in 2004, a small company with a dynamic team of very knowledgeable, energetic, and supportive members, and it gave me the opportunity to gain work experience in a vast number of industries, ranging from agriculture, fisheries, petrochemical, as well as the wine making industry.
Fortunately, in my free time, I am still able to live out my passion for earth, nature and marine biology, by involving my time and energy into a small aquafarm situated on the West Coast.
As an aspiring marine scientist, Riaan studied a B.Sc. at the University of Stellenbosch, majoring in Zoology and Animal Physiology. After completing his degree in 1993, he joined the Occupational Health Department of Iscor and was stationed in Newcastle, KZN. As an apprentice in industrial hygiene, Riaan acquired a vast amount of knowledge and experience whilst working in one of the largest steel works in South Africa. Following a stint of almost 4 years in the iron and steel industry, a move was made back to Cape Town, where he joined a local occupational hygiene consultancy. During this period, Riaan applied his skill in various industries throughout South Africa and was also successfully registered as an Occupational Hygiene Technologist with SAIOH. In 2003, he successfully passed the SAIOH exam as an Occupational Hygienist and shortly thereafter, started EXCO Services. Riaan enjoys the great outdoors and you will regularly find him wandering along a hiking trail or playing a round of golf.
Job Titles:
- Occupational Hygiene Technologist
I grew up in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. In high school, I discovered my love for science, and I knew that I wanted to pursue a career within the field one day. In 2018 I completed my BTech degree in Environmental Health at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology focusing on Occupational Hygiene, as well as Food and Meat Hygiene. Initially I aspired to become an Environmental Health Practitioner, as I enjoyed working with people and making a difference in their lives. However, while studying, I found that I enjoyed Occupational Hygiene and that working in this field I would also be able to make a difference in peoples lives by helping to create a healthier working environment. In 2019, I was lucky enough to start my internship at EXCO Services. Since starting at here, I have been exposed to a wide array of industries and I continue to learn so much from my team members. In my free time I love reading; watching series and spending time with my cat.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Officer & Occupational Hygiene Assistant
I grew up in Sasolburg, a small town in the far north of the Free State. After coming on holiday to Cape Town as a little girl, I immediately fell in love with the energy and culture that Cape Town had to offer. I knew that I had do make it a goal of mine to come and live here one day. After I matriculated, I went on to further my studies in Psychology and Sociology at the North West University in Potchefstroom. As the years went by, I never gave up on my dream to move to Cape Town and was completely bowled over when I was welcomed to the EXCO family in December 2018. I feel absolutely blessed to be part of this awesome, hardworking team.
Considering that I have a great love for health sciences and helping others, I will continuously work hard to broaden my horizons in the field of Occupational Hygiene.
In my free time, I like spending time with my friends and family. Having a love for music, I enjoy going to concerts whenever the opportunity presents itself.