There are situations where persons with a GCC Mines & Works want to obtain the GCC Factories. The reasons may be due to a change in responsibility that requires the GCC Factories or a change in companies/divisions where the GCC Factories may be necessary.
This article aims to discuss the requirements for obtaining the GCC Factories for persons with the GCC Mines & Works.
Before discussing the specific requirements, let's look at the legal context that may influence obtaining the GCC Factories if you already have the GCC Mines & Works.
Mineral Act Regulations requirements
The Mine Health and Safety (MHS) Act protects employees' health and safety at South African mines.
The Minerals Act Regulation 2.13.1 requires the mine manager to appoint an engineer in charge whenever:
the sum of the power generated and power supplied from outside sources exceeds the equivalent of 2500 kilowatts, or
there is an installation of a winding plant intended for the conveyance of persons.
In this case, the mining engineer is known as the 2.13.1 appointment and must have an appropriate mechanical or electrical engineer's certificate of competency (also known as the GCC Mines & Works).
The engineer will be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of machinery in terms of the Mine Health & Safety Act and its regulations.
Factories within mines
It does happen that mines consist of processing plants and other facilities required to comply with the Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Act and its regulations.
The General Machinery Regulation 2.1 requires the employer to appoint a competent person to ensure compliance with the OHS Act's provisions and regulations.
In this case, the competent person is known as the GMR 2.1 appointment and must an appropriate mechanical or electrical engineer's certificate of competency (also known as the GCC Factories) whenever:
the sum of the power generated by machinery is above 3000 kW, or
where machinery in the premises is used solely for electricity distribution, the maximum demand is above 10000 kVA over any continuous period of 30 minutes
There is an exception to the above rule. The exception is that the competent person can have:
a bachelor's degree in mechanical/electrical,
passed the GCC Factories OHS Act exam, and
has a minimum of 2-years of maintenance and operation in the class of machinery he/she is meant to supervise.
A situation now exists where a mine may need to appoint an engineer with the GCC Factories.
Do you need to have the GCC Factories if you already have the GCC Mines & Works?
Yes, you must have the GCC Factories for the above scenario. The MHS Act governs the provisions that require the GCC Mines and Works. Whereas the OHS Act governs the provisions that require the GCC Factories.
The Department of Mineral Resources is the custodian of the MHS Act. Whereas the Department of Employment and Labour is the custodian of the OHS Act.
GCC Mines & Works' compliance requirements differ from those of the GCC Factories since different Acts govern them.
What should you do if you have GCC Mines & Works and want to obtain GCC Factories?
The Department of Employment and Labour considers the GCC Mines & Works as an alternative certificate. It provides some exemptions when pursuing the GCC Factories.
You need to complete the following steps if you have the GCC Mines & Works and wish to obtain GCC Factories:
Step 1 - Meet the requirements to be considered a GCC Factories Candidate.
Step 2 - Apply for acceptance as a GCC Factories Candidate with the Department of Employment and Labour.
Step 3 - Prepare for the GCC Factories OHS Act exam
Step 4 - Register, write, & pass the GCC Factories OHS Act exam
Step 5 - Send your statement of results to the Department of Employment & Labour indicating that you passed the GCC Factories OHS Act exam
It is important to note that GCC Mines & Works carriers do not need to write the GCC Factories plant engineering exam. That is the special exemption from the Department of Employment and Labour.
What are the GCC Factories requirements for GCC Mines & Works holders?
The standard GCC Factories requirements apply to GCC Mines & Works holders.
In general, if you met the GCC Mines & Works requirements, you will more likely meet the GCC Factories requirements. The one exception is experience.
You will need to have at least one year's appropriate experience in the maintenance and operation of machinery in a factory.
Ensure that your letter of experience sufficiently mentions that your experience is related to a factory or facility that required OHS Act compliance. For example:
"I was responsible for ensuring health and safety compliance with OHS Act and its regulations."
"I facilitated safety incident investigation & reporting following the OHS Act and the General Administrative Regulations."
"I developed safety Driven Machinery Regulation checklists for lifting machinery."
The Department of Employment & Labour issues the following Certificates of Competency:
Certificate of Competency as Mechanical Engineer (Factories)
Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer (Factories)
Make sure you apply for the certificate that covers your experience.
Conclusion
Persons with the GCC mines & Works can obtain the GCC Factories provided they meet the following requirements:
Obtain at least one year of experience in the maintenance and operation of machinery in a factory
Submit their application to be GCC Factories Candidate with the Department of Employment and Labour
Pass the GCC Factories OHS Act exam
Submit the statement of result to the Department of Employment and Labour indicating that they have passed the GCC Factories OHS Act exam (this will enable the Commission of Examiners to recommend the Chief Inspector to issue you with the GCC Factories)
The Chief Inspector at the Department of Employment and Labour will then issue the GCC Factories upon recommendation from the Commission of Examiners
It is essential at this point that you review:
The above will help get a better understanding of the requirements and bring you one step closer to getting your Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) factories letter of acceptance from the Department of Employment and Labour.
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