ASSOCIATIONS 11 the IOPSA Audit office advise PIRB that the Plumber should attend training . viii . The Compliance Auditor ( CA ) process must not be viewed as an income generating opportunity but rather to uplift and promote Compliance within the Industry . ix . IOPSA Audit office shall receive , from the PIRB , a weekly list of COCs for Audit ; the workload is not guaranteed and is further measured based on performance , unattended audits , and timeous submission of documentation . x . The CA is to refer problems to the IOPSA Audit office and undertakes to abide strictly to the role of the Compliance Auditor .
4.2 Conduct and Decorum : i . All activities involved in the Audit process must be carried out with absolute honesty and integrity , especially regarding any form of bribery on fraudulent declarations concerning an audit . ii . The CA will be diligent and timeous regarding contacting the licenced plumber , conducting the audit , recording , and logging the findings and approving the refixes . iii . The licensed plumber who is being audited as well as the owner or occupant must be treated with respect and good manners . Any prior conflicts of interest to be notified to the IOPSA Audit Office for reallocation or resolution . iv . The CA will be neatly and professionally dressed when conducting the audit / refix affirmation and will prominently display his CA identification card . v . The CA undertakes to act on a notice to conduct an audit within the prescribed time and will be punctual regarding appointments with licenced plumbers , occupants , or owners for the audits . vi . The CA will display regard for the licenced plumber who is to be informed about a non-compliance by first commending the good points of the installation and then by tactfully and respectfully ( but not apologetically ) pointing out the non-compliance , not belittling or speaking down to the plumber . vii . The CA will not solicit business from property owners , occupiers or any other person or party relating to , or as a result of an IOPSA Compliance Audit . Any conflicts to be reported to the IOPSA Audit office immediately . viii . The CA shall maintain contact and adhere to the Rules and Guidelines of the IOPSA Auditors WhatsApp group : 1 . Keep to the purpose of the Group – do not share unrelated messages . 2 . As far as possible , post one message as opposed to several short messages . 3 . Divert one-on-one messages out of the group and where relevant post a summary . 4 . Refrain from ALL slander , arguing and / or fake news . 5 . Consider participants ’ data costs when sending images and videos .
6 . Select ‘ mute notifications ’ should you so require .
7 . It is prohibited to redistribute comments and screenshots of the Group content without prior consent . viii . The CA is required to attend compulsory monthly training webinars as well as workshops where required . ix . The CA is to ensure that all communications are sent out through their official designated email address with no references to own business / job / company . x . The CA is to advise , with sufficient notice – save in an emergency / unforeseen circumstances – when they are unavailable for periods longer than three working days . Such notice is to be submitted prior to 08:00 on Mondays prior to weekly reporting . xi . Personal public liability and / or medical cover is the sole responsibility of the CA . xii . The CA shall sign official notices of operational requirements updates / procedural updates / notices as required by the Audit Office . xiii . CAs that trade as plumbers are to maintain personal PIRB Licenced plumber status and are to ensure that their operating business holds current IOPSA membership . xiv . No CA is to conduct / mediate / investigate a complaint / query / audit without instruction from the IOPSA Audit office . xv . CAs present within social media groups are to report incorrect statements to the IOPSA Audit Office and where able ( if undeniably certain that your response is factual and correct ) to respond that the statement is ‘ Incorrect ’ and to cite the applicable Standard – whenever in doubt ; refer to the IOPSA Audit office . No debate is to be entered into ; however , as a representative of IOPSA – you are to uphold the values of PIRB and IOPSA and advise that PIRB and IOPSA have an open door policy of transparency and you shall collect and forward the individual ’ s full details to the relevant parties for assistance . xvi . In light of the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic , CAs may be required to attend additional training and / or any training for any other National State of Emergency / nationally afflicted and affected event as may be declared by the Presidency . Based on the nature of said emergencies , CAs shall not be prejudiced should they elect to be placed on hold for Health and Safety concerns as or if declared . IOPSA reserves the right to amend the policies and procedures as may so be required .
The contract then proceeds to cover sections such as :
• Knowledge and application of standards
• Record keeping and reporting
• Confidentiality
• Governance
• Disputes
• Contractual matters between the CA and Official body PA
“ So please plumbers – hug your compliance auditor !”
November 2020 Volume 26 I Number 09 www . plumbingafrica . co . za