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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
SEPTEMBER
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
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
Training academy re-launched
Otis South Africa, a subsidiary of Otis, global
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.