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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
FEBRUARY
2015
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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
The association advocates using
quality
concrete
only
from
suppliers that have been audited
and accredited to have adequate
safety, health, responsible road usage, envi-
ronmental protection and quality systems in
place. This would ensure that concrete deliv-
ered on site is of a sufficient standard for
requirements on site and will minimise the
risk of failures in future.
Recent high profile concrete failures,
building collapses and the dismal state of
certain low cost housing developments etc
has caused the construction industry to
become increasingly aware of the impor-
tance of dealing with accountable suppliers;
and are insisting on procuring concrete from
accredited suppliers only.
Working together
Speaking at a recent Sarma regional meeting
in Gauteng, general manager Johan van
Wyk said that the association had begun
engaging member organisations within
the construction industry, as well as
Government and local government struc-
tures, to work together to make the spec-
ification of Sarma accredited readymix
concrete mandatory.
“This is beginning to pay dividends and
already a number of these industry organi-
sations, several municipalities, mines etc
have begun to stipulate the use of Sarma
approved readymix on their sites. A positive
effect of this is that more and more compa-
nies are joining Sarma and undergoing our
separate annual audits for environmental
compliance, as well as safety, health, quality
and road safety compliance.
“These systems are based on ISO stand-
ards and are therefore internationally recog-
nised and sufficient grounds to establish
minimum standard for our industry. In addi-
tion Sarma has its own unique requirements
and all our members are bound to uphold
our codes of conduct, as well as abide by all
relevant legislation governing the industry.
Rising quality
“As a result of this the standard of readymix
concrete delivered in South Africa is higher
than ever before and provided users make
use of Sarma accredited members they are
assured of receiving concrete that complies
(at least) to our very high minimum stand-
ards. Unfortunately there are still a number
of unregistered readymix companies who do
not want to abide by these standards and
the quality of concrete in these instances can
be a hit-and-miss affair, said Van Wyk.
He continued that membership of
Sarma had grown to nearly 200 readymix
plants this year with approximately 50
producer members. The increased collec-
tion of levies was assisting the association
to reach out further to spread the awareness
of the importance of dealing with accredited
members, as well as continuing to work with
Government and other structures to make
Sarma accredited readymix the construc-
tion material of choice on all projects within
Southern Africa.
The introduction of unannounced audits
on member sites would also be instituted
from next year to ensure plants are running
in compliance with requirements all year-
round and prevent any ‘window-dressing’
that may occur around audit times. Training
workshops for members would also be
stepped-up and skills development of
workers within the industry would remain a
top priority.
Always improving
“We are also looking at other initiatives to
join global readymix bodies in the USA and
Europe, to begin fast-response teams to
cleanup concrete spillages and to become
the registering authority to register concrete
technologists in South Africa.
“We will also continue working with
bodies such as the Construction Industry
Development Board, municipalities, engi-
neers, institutes, and member organisa-
tions to ensure that the quality of concrete
delivered is raised to a level where it
can compete with the best in the world,”
concludes Van Wyk.
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Concrete industry
GETS TOUGH
Tightening specifications for readymix concrete has led to a
substantial growth in the membership of the Southern Africa
Readymix Association (Sarma) from companies seeking to
obtain formal accreditation of their plants and processes.
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Johan van Wyk, general manager of Sarma.
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