Modern Quarrying January-February 2015

AROUND THE INDUSTRY EDITOR’S COMMENT

The importance of training

T he quarrying industry understands the need to educate and train their people on an on- going basis, with technical skills continuing to be one of the most important requirements in our industry. On my visits to the quarries large and small, we often discuss training and the loss of an experi- enced older workforce, due to retirement. Many of the larger operations have their own training acad- emies which incorporate programmes designed to pass on the right skills, knowledge and compe- tencies to their employees. However, many don’t, especially in the smaller operations. Xtract Training Services headed up by industry stalwarts Monty and Lynne Montgomery, is recog- nised throughout the industry as being in a very strong position to provide training in these areas. The company has close ties with the MQA, which it has been involved with since inception. It provides training and skills development in line with MQA requirements in close cooperation with the DMR. Xtract Training Services has been a fully-accred- ited training provider with the MQA since 2005, providing quality training and skills development throughout the country and further afield. This ISO 9001:2008 certified company, is compliant at Level Two for B-BBEE. Industry needs to understand the changing dynamics of a younger workforce, ever-evolv- ing legislative frameworks and changing union dynamics, and clearly more emphasis needs to be placed on training. Monty and Lynne have their ears on the ground as far as the industry is concerned; they have always and continue to be involved in the heart of this industry and are in very close contact with our movers and shakers. Current courses include: Examine &Make Safe/Comp A – Step 1 (Rockbreakers Qualification); Blasting Assistant – Surface Mines/ Quarries – Step 2 (Rockbreaking Qualification); and Basic Sampling & Testing of Construction Materials , a course that takes place in early February in Cape Town. Originally concentrating on surface min- ing and quarrying, the company has extended its scope to include rock engineering and strata con- trol, as well as underground hard rock and under- ground coal. Another association that has its ear on the ground is Aspasa, which for the last year in particu- lar, has increased its focus on capturing the vital role of developing people into the needs of com- panies. It must be pointed out, however, that its workshops are company-related and closely-linked to its two audits and the challenges and problems found by these audits.

At the time of writing, the Association had already run two very successful workshops in Johannesburg on Health and Safety , and Know your EMP . Both workshops were extremely well attended with people from the Transkei, Upington, Komatipoort, Cape Town and Durban, and all from different companies. The Health & Safety Workshop presented by Marius van Deventer, covered Section 54/55 issues, machine guarding, lock-outs, internal inspections and check lists, COPs, occupational health, what an H&S policy should cover, problems identified dur- ing the 2014 audits, and what is expected in the 2015 ISHE audit. The upgraded audit document was also discussed. Alan Cluett’s Know your EMP workshop, dealt with the EMP’s legal setting, an overview of SA’s environmental legislation, the MPRDA and its EMP- related requirements, and other applicable legisla- tion in this regard. It looked at the DMR guidelines for the EMP in terms of its guidelines, objectives and structure, and how to manage the EMP in order to gain benefits. He discussed weather- related information, fauna and flora, hydrological studies, heritage sites, reporting requirements, performance assessment, and employee training. And finally, looking at the About Face 2015 audit, Cluett outlined what is expected in this audit. An important workshop being run in early February at Tygerberg in the Western Cape is on Grading & Related Issues , with participants includ- ing Sanral, SAFCEC and the City of Cape Town, and the Western Cape government. Aspasa has devel- oped a sound relationship with these key bodies, and aggregate specification will be a key point in the discussions. Also problems experienced with laboratories, and the COLTO standards which are causing some consternation in the industry. Cost implications in terms of sieve changing, and waste implications are on the agenda. Later this month, Alta Swanepoel will be run- ning a Transport workshop, looking specifically at AARTO and its latest legislation. The basic princi- ples of AARTO will be discussed, the implications of which will have a major impact on our industry if not understood and followed. I’ve only mentioned a few of these, which will be repeated in the various provinces. Others include the tax issues industry is experiencing in terms of the Royalty Act and the diesel rebate saga. Please visit the Aspasa website www.aspasa.co.za for further details or telephone (011) 791 3327.

A man can seldom – very, very seldom – fight a winning fight against his training; the odds are too heavy (Mark Twain – 1835-1910)

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MODERN QUARRYING

January - February 2015