12 BUSINESS AND TRAINING
When things go wrong , regardless of the cause , the user may have partial or no use of a facility , which impacts the quality of life or the survival of a business , until such time as the issue is resolved .
Insurances Using equipment or occupying a building without the appropriate certificates will negate any possible insurance claims !
Should a building and or equipment be damaged or destroyed then the insurers of the facility , the construction works and / or the design team will all analyse available information to establish the liability of each role player . The assessors for the insurers will require full access to all design , construction and commissioning
information , and information as to who was authorised to sign critical documents .
The insurers may involve a ‘ shadow ’ professional team as well as lawyers with expertise in construction matters to establish the facts and determine amounts to be paid for reparations . Behind the scenes , if more than one insurer is involved , he / she may try to recover some of the costs incurred from one or more of the other insurers – fortunately , this does not involve the insured parties .
In short , for all building or engineering projects , ensure you are in possession of or have access to all relevant information and that such documents are signed by an authorised person . PA
SA Women Plumbing Apprentices share their thoughts
Edited by
David Smith
Due to the success of our previous Plumbing Apprentices series last year , this year we have been running a new series which continues to share the amazing experiences of women who have entered the plumbing industry . This month we feature Nokonwaba Mfazwe from House of Plumbing .
1 . What is the best part of being an apprentice plumber ? The best part is to be given the platform to learn every aspect of the plumbing industry by doing practicals – in the sense of learning how to install sanitary fixtures and learning the difference between above and below drainage . Also , to see how important plumbing is in the world .
2 . What is the worst part of being an apprentice plumber ? The worst part is having to prove myself that I can do it as I often come across guys that tell me I cannot do it because it ' s a male dominated industry ; and also having to lift heavy things like geysers and digging trenches .
3 . How are you managing the worst part ? I manage the worst part by telling myself that , " what doesn ' t kill me , makes me stronger " and also by reminding myself that I can do it . Also asking for assistance if I see that I can ' t lift heavy things like geysers or while digging trenches .
4 . What do you believe plumbing is all about ? Plumbing is about helping people to get a better life by installing fixtures that can supply water and drains that can flush away waste in their house , business offices , malls , hospitals and schools . Without plumbing people would have been exposed to dangerous germs . That ' s why I also believe that plumbers should be regarded as healthcare workers .
5 . What will you contribute to plumbing when you qualify ? I will open a company that is going to build flush toilets for disabled people that are using pit toilets so that their lives can be in a good , healthy environment as it is not easy for them to help themselves in pit toilets .
6 . Who is your Nokonwaba Mfazwe , apprentice plumber . employer ? House of Plumbing , a division of Norcros SA .
7 . Are you a team player ? Yes , I am a team player because I believe that it takes the whole team to finish the project by sharing ideas , motivating each other and listening one another ' s perspectives . You can ' t install a pipe without fitting and tools , hence I believe in team work . " Together we stand , divided we fall ." PA
“ Together we stand , divided we fall .”
Supplied by House of Plumbing www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline May 2023 Volume 29 I Number 3