Construction World Septemer 2017

Building skills and expertise through the Otis Training Academy is a key element in positioning South Africa as a hub for Otis products on the African continent. The skills shortage in the technical field has left the company struggling to find qualified mechanics who can service and maintain Otis equipment, while meeting its stringent safety standards. Otis, in partnership with merSeta, has been able to run a very robust learnership/ apprenticeship programme. It currently hosts sixty eight learners and graduates, and on average, sees fifteen mechanics qualify each year. In 2016 twenty-one learners qualified, all of whom were subsequently employed by Otis. “With the recent statistics released on the unemployment rate in South Africa, Otis acknowledges that it can contribute to the reduction of unemployment by doubling the intake of learners into the learnership/apprenticeship programme,” says Loueen Jones- Paulsen, HR Director of Otis Africa. Apart from graduating learners with an NQF Level 4 Mechanic qualification, the training academy will now offer programmes ranging from service and maintenance, installations, quality, environment, health and safety, sales, field engineering and operations, supervision, project management, general management, leadership, and a module on doing business in Africa. The training and development framework will ensure the development of clear career paths, allowing employees to progress through the manufacturer of elevators and escalators, has re- launched its training academy in line with its skills development programme, designed to create technical and functional expertise in African markets. Training academy re-launched Otis South Africa, a subsidiary of Otis, global

Otis unveils new training academy. From left: Segren Reddy, Daniel Daphne, Bora Gulan and Loueen Jones-Paulsen.

organisation, bringing about talent development and far greater employee retention. In addition the training academy will provide training to subcontractors and black entrepreneurs participating in the Otis B-BBEE programme. The primary purpose of the academy is to create a space where all Otis stakeholders increase the level of skill, competence and expertise, while fostering a culture of learning and encouraging operational and service excellence. For Otis to remain committed to and deliver on its promise of uncompromising quality and safety, it is imperative that it has a strong leadership, and highly skilled, customer centric and competent workforce to ensure it retains its global leadership position. The Training Academy was re-launched by Bora Gulan, President of Otis North, Central Europe and Africa (NCEA) and Daniel Daphne, MD of Otis Africa. 

Coatings industry reassurance on safety of titanium dioxide

The SA Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA) has issued official assurance to the public and its members that the inclusion of titanium dioxide as a white pigment in some industrial paints holds absolutely no health risks to anyone exposed to such paints.

Based on this, BCF and CEPE (the European organisation of paints, inks, and artists colours producers) consider the use of titanium dioxide to be safe for workers during the manufacturing process. This is further supported by the ongoing commitment of BCF and CEPE member companies to take every precaution to ensure the safety of their products and workers throughout their supply chain. SAPMA’s Spence added: “SAPMA fully supports the BCF decision to challenge any proposed legislation on this specific element. We would

Deryck Spence, executive director of SAPMA, says SAPMA has been informed by the British Coatings Federation (BCF) that the European Chemical Agency (ECA) had recommended that any EU product containing titanium dioxide should carry labelling warning that the product is 'suspected of causing cancer by inhalation'. The ECA’s recommendation is only the first step in the regulatory process but both BCF and SAPMA have decided to immediately refute this opinion. “SAPMA felt it was important to immediately advise members and the public who may have noted the ECA stance on the compound, that once titanium dioxide has been incorporated in paint or ink, there is no risk of the solid particles of the substance being inhaled,” Spence stated. He says titanium dioxide is an inert inorganic compound used as a white

pigment in many industrial applications, including the manufacture of paints, coatings, printing inks and wallcoverings where it provides essential product properties such as whiteness, covering power, brightness, stability and durability of colour not achievable with other raw materials. Titanium dioxide is also used in many other consumer products. The BCF statement says during the manufacturing process, exposure to titani- um dioxide powder might occur. However, studies over many years have not found any correlation between workers exposed to titanium dioxide and the risk of lung cancer. In addition, BCF feels that the tests on rats cited by ECHA in its official opposition to the substance, were conducted using “unre- alistically high amounts” of titanium dioxide that would not be allowed in any manufac- turing environment.

also strongly oppose any such proposed labelling if were to be considered in South Africa in future.”  Deryck Spence, executive director of SAPMA: “The use of titanium dioxide in paints and coatings production is totally safe,” he has assured the public.

59

CONSTRUCTION WORLD SEPTEMBER 2017