INDUSTRY NEWS : in brief
Industry news in brief
Scaw Metals achieves remarkable B-BBEE certificate on the amended codes The Scaw Metals Group , a leading steel and steel product manufacturer remain firm on retaining its Level 2 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment ( B-BBEE ) rating with also maintaining previous statuses on the old codes .
Under a cloud of change , Scaw Metals sustained its positioning in the steel industry by continuing to commit to strengthening the sector amidst unstable local and global economic landscape .
Striving to support economic and social development initiatives , the Scaw Metals B-BBEE committee set itself high targets to preserve Scaw Metals position . Actively improving the B-BBEE score elements through identifying areas of development – equity ownership , management control , skills development , enterprise and supplier development , and socioeconomic development .
This year ’ s State of the Nation address highlighted that economic transformation and black empowerment continue to be a vital part of all the economic programmes of the country . The steel sector plays a major role in its support of many industries , Scaw Metals is committed to mirroring government ’ s ongoing agenda .
The B-BBEE codes have been a catalyst for achieving notable contributions , not only for the industry , but communities in which Scaw Metals has been actively involved in corporate social investment ( CSI ) initiatives .
In reflecting on the organisation ’ s achievement , Scaw Metals Group CEO , Markus Hannemann says , “ The B-BBEE scorecard has encouraged our business to reach new levels of opportunity .”
Accidents in the construction industry According to the Federated Employer ’ s Mutual Assurance Company ( FEM ), which provides cover to employers in the construction industry , 7 721 injuries occurred nationally amongst policy holders during 2015 . This resulted in 61 fatalities , 603 permanently disabled persons and 34 385 lost man days .
Deon Bester , Occupational Health and Safety Manager at the Master Builders Association of the Western Cape ( MBAWC ), says , “ The rate of accidents in the construction industry still remain unacceptably high .”
In the Western Cape alone , the number of accidents that have taken place over the past five years has risen by an average of 12.00 % year on year . Between 2011 and 2015 there were 18 deaths and 202 permanent disabilities resulting from accidents . Furthermore , 29 671 man hours were lost and the average cost per accident stood at R17 532,20 .
He continues , “ The Western Cape remains one of the provinces with the highest accident frequency rate . At a current rate of 3.7 %, versus the national average of 2.67 %, we are 28 % worse than the average . In other words , we have 28 % more accidents per 100 people employed in the construction industry . Whilst this is a very high variation , figures would indicate that we have less severe accidents based on the average cost of an accident . The current national average is R27 244 per accident whilst we are at R15 813 per accident – 42 % less .”
“ In 2015 , the Western Cape only had one fatality in 2015 compared with 12 in Kwa- Zulu Natal , 29 in the Gauteng region , 11 in the Free State , 3 in the Eastern Cape and 5 in the Northern Boland . Undoubtedly , one fatality is one too many and we should be striving for zero fatalities and zero harm – a target we believe is achievable ,” states the Occupational Health and Safety Manager .
To achieve this target , he suggests improving the skills of employees in the industry , providing proper training for employees and arranging adequate supervision . He also advises using the correct , quality tools for the job and utilising proper fall prevention equipment . In addition , Bester recommends regular drug screening and alcohol testing . “ These are just a few of the basic interventions required ,” shares Bester .
“ The construction industry , from large corporates to small sub-contractors , needs to take ownership of health and safety . Good health and safety practices
ABOVE : Deon Bester , Occupational Health and Safety Manager at the Master Builders Association of the Western Cape .
in the workplace must be as important as ensuring turnover and providing a quality product and service on time to the end user . Only once health and safety carries the same weight as cost , quality and time will we see a reduction in accidents in the industry ,” concludes Bester .
Update on tariff protection measures from the Department of Trade and Industry
By Sidwell Medupe , Departmental Spokesperson , The Department of Trade and Industry
Government is working closely with all the stakeholders in the steel sector to secure agreement on a comprehensive package of measures to support South Africa ’ s primary steel production capabilities .
The steel crisis results from the fact that there is a global glut of steel arising from the effects of the global recession and excess installed capacity and supply . Following due process involving the International Trade Administration Council , ( ITAC ) the Minister of Trade and Industry , Dr Rob Davies , has assented to tariff increases for three steel products . Investigations into another eight product lines have been finalised and await government approval . A wide range of OECD and developed countries have already implemented similar tariff protection measures .
It is of course extremely important that tariff protection measures for primary steel
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