Mechanical engineering company Brimis Engineering has received approval from the Department of Labour (DoL) to perform statutory load testing and certification on various lifting equipment.

“As an approved lifting machinery entity, we examine, test and provide certificates of compliance according to the Lifting Equipment Machinery Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act No 85 of 1993, under Driven Machinery Regulation 18(5),” says Brimis Engineering technical director Moeketsi Mpotu.

He adds that these statutory requirements ensure the safety of employees and equipment.

The approval from the DoL, received in April this year, ensures that Brimis Engineering can provide nationally recognised examination, inspection and testing of lifting tackles, Mpotu says.

The scope of work includes lifting tackles, chain blocks, lever hoists, beams, forklifts, mobile cranes and overhead cranes. Brimis Engineering aims to ensure that high safety standards are adhered to, impacting positively on the safety, health and environmental quality of the environment.

Moreover, he notes that a challenge pertaining to lifting-equipment examination and testing is that lifting companies use the same company for supplies, repairs and testing of lifting equipment.

Subsequently, there is the risk of bias when the company repairing the equipment also performs the examination and testing on the same equipment.

Brimis Engineering believes that repairs should not be done by the examiner and tester of any equipment.

“We believe that players should not be referees, and that one party should conduct repairs and another the examinations and the issuing of certificates of compliance – this will result in rigorous adherence to safety standards.”

Mpotu concludes by noting that this will improve compliance and is likely to reduce costs for the client.