Responsible Refrigeration
Freepik
BARNEY RICHARDSON
Barney Richardson is the director of South African Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning Contractors Association (SARACCA) and sits on various other
boards within the HVAC industry, including the South African Qualifications
and Certifications Committee for Gas (SAQCC) Gas.
HOW GAS COMPLIANCE
WORKS DURING COVID-19
By SAQCC
As the vast majority of South Africans stay at home, many gas practitioners
in the energy industry remain at their posts.
Despite the spread of digital technology, much of the
industry still requires practitioners to be on-the-ground
and physically present to manage essential installations, repairs
and maintenance. It is now more important than ever that
practitioners remain compliant.
The ability to continue working for some practitioners cannot
stop a predicted downturn in the energy industry. COVID-19
will continue to affect the number of practitioner registrations.
SAQCC Gas has already seen a substantial drop in the figures
despite showing impressive growth in registration renewals
before the lockdown.
Over the past 12 months, SAQCC Gas has successfully driven
the message of compliance. However, many practitioners are
not renewing their registrations. SAQCC Gas encourages all
practitioners with expiring cards to apply for extensions.
Expired licensed will be extended as most training providers
could only ramp up their training from level 3. It is important
to note that even under the lockdown, any person installing,
repairing or maintaining gas equipment needs to be registered
with SAQCC Gas.
SAQCC Gas has launched several initiatives to combat the
impact of expired cards during COVID-19. It is recommended
that practitioner who have an expired registration card, contact
SAQCC Gas to request an extension.
Mandated by the Department of Labour, SAQCC Gas’s
primary objective is to register practitioners. Non-compliance
remains a threat to the energy industry, despite improved law
enforcement during the lockdown.
Emerging from the pandemic, practitioners who are unable
to work are encouraged to plan for their return to the industry
by ensuring that they remain compliant. SAQCC Gas remains
committed to developing a sound plan during COVID-19 to
ensure greater clarity and dissemination of information between
the government and the practitioner.
Practitioners can view important information or contact
SAQCC Gas by visiting www.saqccgas.co.za. RACA
46
RACA Journal I August 2020
www.hvacronline.co.za