Sparks Electrical News November 2015

12 contractors’ corner

Training and development by Nick du Plessis General workers: Know your legal obligations

to use, as well as with the precautionary meas- ures which should be taken and observed with respect to those hazards… Definitions supporting this section: • Hazard : A source of or exposure to danger. • Danger : Anything which may cause injury or damage to persons or property. • Plant : Includes fixtures, fittings, implements, equipment, tools and appliances, and any- thing which is used for any purpose in connec- tion with such plant … Whenhiring casual labour, it is not enough to ask:

Many of us have picked up a ‘casual labourer’ on the side of the road when we have needed someone to do general work – painting, gar- dening, digging a trench, mixing concrete or drawing cables to name but a few. While it may seem that we are only employ- ing someone on a temporary basis, we must be mindful of our responsibilities and legal obligations as employers in terms of the Oc- cupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993), which include:

“Can you do…?”or“Have you workedwith…?” because the answer you get will always be a resounding“yes”. These questions, in my opinion, fall into the dumb question category. Remember, the person is on the side of the road hoping to get work because he needs the money and will do anything for the remuneration you have offered. It remains your responsibility to ensure that every employee is conversant with the hazards to his health and safety attached to any work that he has to perform. Another section of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993) to be aware of is: Section 8 General duties of employers to their employees Part 2. Without derogating from the general- ity of an employer’s duties under subsection (1), thematters towhich those duties refer include in particular e) Providing such information, instructions, trainingand supervisionasmay benecessary to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, thehealthand safety atworkof his employ- ees… It is important to remember that the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993) requires that you are able to prove that you, as the employer, have complied with the requirements; and the only acceptable proof includes records, attendance registers, assessments and similar documents. So, to ensure that you, as the employer, are compliant with the OHS Act, I would recommend that you develop a training programme along with supporting docu- mentation; then train any new employ- ees in the tasks they will be required to perform as well as training them to use the tools and equipment they will be working with – and this will ensure that you do not fall foul of the law. The outcome of this – besides ensuring compliance with the OHS Act – is that you will most likely find that your staff will perform at a higher level of efficiency without abusing the tools or equipment they are workingwith because, after train- ing and assessment, there can be no excuse tomisuse or abuse any of your tools. In the long run, youwill savemoney and improve productivity. If you need assistance with developing a training programme or you need a facilitator to oversee the training and assessing of general workers, I would advise that you contact a reputable, ac- credited and competent training provider or contact me for advice. Whatever you do, do the right thing: inform your employees of their duties and responsibilities. An automatic wire stripper that doesn’t damage conductors

Section 13 Duty to inform

Without derogating fromany specific duty imposed onan employer by this Act, every employer shall: a As far as is reasonably practicable, cause every employee to be made conversant with the haz- ards to his health and safety attached to any work which he has to perform, any article or substance which he has to produce, process, use, handle, store or transport and any plant or machinery which he is required or permitted

COPPER DEVELOPMENT / ECA(SA) RPL BURSARY SCHEME

Five Training Bursaries The Copper Development Association Africa and the ECA(SA) are proud to bring to you a bursary to prepare for and do a traditional Trade Test C to qualify as an artisan at no cost to you or your employer. We want to recognise your prior learning and enhance your movement to the top of the practical qualifications’ ladder, whilst contributing to the growth of the National Skills Base of South Africa We aim to contribute to the empowerment of Black Women by reserving two of the five bursaries for Black Women. Employers are encouraged to help their employees whose candidacy they support with motivations in the relevant area of the form. BURSARY COMPETITION Minimum entrance criteria: • Full N2 – Mathematics, Science, Electrical Trade Theory plus either Industrial Electronics or Engineering Drawing attained at an FET College; or • Grade 11 in the electrical field from a Technical High School • Five years’ relevant experience as an employee in the Electrical Contracting Industry • He/she must be currently employed by an ECA(SA) member company in good standing

Please note that this competition will close on 10 November 2015 and no entries will be accepted after this date. The judges’decision is final and no further correspondence will be entered into.

Results will be announced by 12 November 2015 The winners will be invited to the 2015 Presidential Excellence Awards Gala Dinner on 19 November at Emperors Casino

Entry forms available at all ECA(SA) regional offices and on the website

Entries must be forwarded to:

FLORENCE MABENA

The Knipex auto- matic wire stripper is a well-priced compact stripper for single, multiple and fine stranded wire from 0.2 to 6 mm 2 . The blades adapt automatically to the ca- ble’s cross-section preventing

1074 Francis Baard Street (Schoeman Street) Hatfield, Pretoria 0020 Telephone: (012) 342 3242/3358 Email: florence@ecasa.co.za Website: www.ecasa.co.za

damage to conductors. The wire stripper has a narrow head designed for use in confined areas and has an adjustable length stop. The unit also features a built-in wire cutter suitable for cutting wires up to 2.5 mm 2 . The blades are made of special tool steel and can easily be replaced. Enquiries: +27 11 396 4065

november 2015

sparks

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