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Quality Assurance News

Organisations need to have zero tolerance approach to alcohol abuse

By: Victor Moolman 3rd February 2017 There is a need for high-risk industries, such as those in the materials handling and logistics sector, to have proper policies in place regarding alcohol consumption, as this would likely decrease the company’s fatality rate, says alcohol testing equipment supplier Alco-Safe director Rhys Evans. →

Concern regarding standard disposable cylinders

By: Simone Liedtke 3rd February 2017 Speciality chemicals and gas supplier A-Gas highlights its concern regarding disposable cylinders being used as packaging to import hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and in some cases, flammable hydrocarbons (HCs), into South Africa. →

CYLINDER LEGALITIES Chris Phillips explains that there are currently no legalities around the banning of disposable cylinders, however A-Gas continues to lobby the DEA on this topic

New technology enables control of express deliveries

2nd December 2016 Express parcels company DPD Laser has rolled out an advanced mobile technology platform at its Dawn Wing and Time Freight businesses that it believes sets it up as an industry leader in the South African express service sector. The platform offers customers unprecedented real-time visibility and... →

CUSTOMERS IN CONTROL Dawn Wing provides high-quality services to its customers

Freight and logistics company of the year named

2nd December 2016 South Africa-based transport company Dachser South Africa (SA) has been named the Freight and Logistics Company of the Year at the ninth Transport Africa Awards 2016. The Transport Africa Awards are designed to recognise companies that have demonstrated an unparalleled ability to succeed and have... →

DACHSER SA Freight and logistics company of the year 2016

Need for centralised courier point made clear

By: Sascha Solomons 2nd December 2016 As tech-savvy customers demand faster and more efficient services, the need for a centralised technology-enabled courier point has become clear. Owing to this, outsourced e-commerce warehousing and order fulfilment services provider ParcelNinja.com realised the need for a scalable cloud-based... →

JUSTIN DRENNAN The company enables real-time integration with a variety of couriers

Company aligns with South Africa regulations

2nd December 2016 Transportation, logistics and supply chain service provider Cargo Carriers has responded to the South African government’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) regulations with enthusiasm and has a host of initiatives in the pipeline. “BBBEE regulations actually talk to our company’s... →

Photo by Duane Daws
GOOD PRACTICE Companies are scored on a ranking scale of one to eight and scores are based on seven pillars linked to the BBBEE Codes of Good Practice

SABS adopts international safety standard for the process sector

By: Dylan Slater 2nd December 2016 Standards and regulatory provider the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has officially adopted International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61511 Functional Safety standard – which is applicable to safety instrumented systems for the process industry sector – as South African National... →

Regional demand grows for safety science company’s services

By: Mia Breytenbach 18th November 2016 Global independent safety science company UL says demand for its services in Southern Africa has increased by more than 25% year-on-year since the company established a local footprint in 2015. The company certifies, validates, tests, verifies and inspects manufactured products, as well as audits... →

Analogue gauges outweigh benefits of electronic instrumentation

By: Simone Liedtke 4th November 2016 The structure and robustness of analogue pressure-type gauges, coupled with the guaranteed availability of spare parts for locomotives in South Africa, outweigh the benefits of electronic instrumentation that has to be sent away for repair or recalibration, says pressure and temperature... →

GAUGE PRODUCTION All SA Gauge gauges are sent for quality control before distribution

Valves supplier to extend foothold in municipal market

By: Nadine James 4th November 2016 Valve and steel supplier Stewarts and Lloyds (S&L) hopes to extend its market share in the municipal and civil engineering sectors, as it expects that the drive by government to effectively manage and optimise the water resources sector will result in several supply opportunities for local... →

SALVALVE PRODUCTS The range includes several butterfly, gate, ball and resilient seal valves, strictly manufactured to local and international standards

Drug testing ensures industry health & safety

By: Kimberley Smuts 16th September 2016 With health and safety being of paramount concern across industrial sectors, owing to the high-risk working environments and frequent use of heavy machinery, employees and contractors are being subjected to alcohol and drug testing before they are allowed to enter company premises, says drug and... →

Company training ensures technical expertise

9th September 2016 Global electrical, automation, mechanical and consumable products provider Elquip Solutions aims to ensure that its customers have access to quality tools and equipment by ensuring that its personnel are trained and certified to offer quality service. →

Investments integral to effective safety

9th September 2016 The South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) notes that deeper conversations pertaining to legislation, education and safety processes are necessary to ensure that the industry advances the safety of motorists. This is the motivation behind the SATMC’s collaboration with other... →

Company encourages ISO 55000 certification

By: Kimberley Smuts 9th September 2016 Multidisciplinary and professional services engineering company Smec is encouraging its clients to become ISO 55000 certified, as this certification will enable companies to realise enhanced value from their assets. Smec explains that good asset management maximises value for money by ensuring... →

ASSET MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY I SO 55000 enhances the possibility of becoming a globally recognised asset management practitioner

Vendor certification for resellers emphasised

By: Kimberley Smuts 9th September 2016 In the security industry, it is essential for resellers to undergo training and obtain certification from vendors to ensure that a security solution or product is correctly specified and installed, maintained and operated, says mobile and remote closed-circuit television specialist Graphic Images... →

LAURENCE SMITH Training provided by vendors can change the way a system operates, effectively giving the end-user the full benefit of the product

Importance of nondestructive testing emphasised

By: Kimberley Smuts 9th September 2016 Regular testing and certification of equipment used in the engineering industry remains important to ensure that degradation of equipment is minimal, comments inspection and testing solutions provider Non-destructive Testing and Inspection Solutions (NIS). NIS spokesperson Jannie de Beer details... →

CERTIFICATION REMAINS CRUCIAL All pressure equipment has to be inspected by a competent person every three years

Early leak detection equipment installed at power plants

By: Kimberley Smuts 9th September 2016 Local engineering company RTS Africa Engineering is currently focused on the commissioning of manufacturing company Procon's boiler tube leak detection equipment, which tests and inspects the sound of leaking steam tubes within the boiler, at both the Medupi and Kusile power stations, owned by... →

IAN FRASER Early leak detection is essential as it prevents expensive secondary damage

Greater awareness of SA gas installation regulations needed

26th August 2016 Similar to an electrical equivalent, gas installations need to be regulated in order to ensure optimum safety practices are adhered to. As gas usage increases in South African homes and businesses, awareness needs to be drawn to the safe practice of working with, installing and storing gas. As an... →

SAFETY FIRST Anyone that works with gas installations needs to be a registered gas practitioner with the South African Qualification and Certification Committee for Gas

Cybersecurity against whaling attacks depends on vigilance, controls

By: Schalk Burger 12th August 2016 Defending senior managers and executives – the so-called whales of enterprises – against targeted cyberattacks requires that they and their support staff be aware of potential attacks and query any suspicious activities, says cybersecurity consultancy and auditing firm Galix MD Simeon Tassev. The... →

SIMEON TASSEV The best way to protect against these types of social engineering cyberattacks is to verify the information

From elevated inspections to stock analysis, drones begin making business impact

By: Dylan Slater 5th August 2016 Remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) have the potential to significantly change the way many industrial, engineering and mining operations are conducted, with the ability to reach difficult to access areas and remove people from hazardous situations. →

Inspection device to provide safety in rail operations

By: Simon Sonnekus 29th July 2016 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed a prototype survey and inspection device (SID) to survey and inspect South Africa’s railway lines, which is intended to improve safety and operations. Along with reporting on the condition of the rail infrastructure, the SID... →

DEBUT The CSIR's survey and inspection device (SID) was debuted at Africa Rail 2016

Specialised bushings used for tyre testing rig

By: Nadine James 22nd July 2016 Self-lubricating polymer bearings and bushes manufacturer Vesconite Bearings – a division of VescoPlastics – has supplied specialised thermoplastic Vesconite bushings for a tyre test rig at the University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Vehicle Dynamics Group (VDG). The test rig, manufactured and assembled... →

TYRE TEST RIG The rig forms part of a master’s degree project by University of Pretoria students

The real business value of pursuing best practice data governance

By: Schalk Burger 22nd July 2016 The progressive application of data governance to priority areas of data business provides immediate benefits while companies work towards the end-goal of automated data governance systems, says business intelligence firm PBT Group Strategic BI manager Yolanda Smit. Ascribing the accountability... →

YOLANDA SMIT Data governance underpins the holistic transformation of the business

Possible change in NDT training

By: Simon Sonnekus 15th July 2016 The harmonisation of second and third part assessment certification schemes found in the South African non-destructive testing (NDT) industry could result in continuous skills development and enhanced personnel competence, with companies and employees also retaining a stronger development... →

NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING South Africa and many other African countries have sustainable market capacity for only one NDT industrial sector

Institute moves to raise awareness of importance of nondestructive testing

By: Mia Breytenbach 15th July 2016 With nondestructive testing (NDT) considered as an unknown, or “Cinderella science”, a key driver of the South African Institute for Nondestructive Testing (Saint) is to drive awareness of this process of testing, inspecting and evaluation of materials or components, says Saint president Keith... →

INSTRUMENTAL FOCUS The South African Institute for Nondestructive Testing aims to be instrumental in producing highly qualified NDT personnel for the national and global markets

Procurement management pay-as-you-use solution launched

By: Schalk Burger 1st July 2016 Master data quality company Pilog has developed a content-as-a-service (CaaS) offering for procurement management using its detailed item description repository and international standards-based methods developed over 20 years. This will enable companies and departments to quickly and easily... →

THEO PRINSLOO Companies can use the system to meet the changing demands of their market with high accuracy, increasing agility and reducing waste

New US products showcased at Africa Rail

By: Victor Moolman 24th June 2016 New material testing equipment from US-based company MTS that can determine the strength and durability of rail infrastructure will be showcased at the Africa Rail 2016 conference and exhibition by laboratory equipment and services suppliers IMP Scientific & Precision. →

Photo by Duane Daws
WELD TEST Testing equipment provided by IMP test the strength of welds

New imaging technology to potentially disrupt optical industry

By: Henry Lazenby 13th June 2016 Former Vancouver-based rare earths explorer Elissa Resources has in February rebranded as NexOptic Technology and turned its attention to developing cutting-edge imaging technology in cooperation with Calgary-based acquisition target Spectrum Optix. NexOptic CEO Paul McKenzie explained to... →

Photo by NexOpticTechnology
A rendering of a comparison of a traditional telescope and the NexOptic telescope prototype

Tricky hydro scheme checks completed

By: Simon Sonnekus 27th May 2016 Difficult-to-complete inspections, high up at a water-storage scheme, in KwaZulu-Natal, were easily completed within the allotted time using rope access. Rope access solutions provider Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn notes that the operation – which took place after the conclusion of one... →

ROPE ACCESS The shafts inspected at a KZN hydro scheme were over 700 m long, 6 m in diameter and with 25˚ slopes

Amid rising importer angst, NRCS to pilot new product authorisation system

By: Terence Creamer 17th May 2016 The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) confirmed on Tuesday that it would, from July, begin piloting a new system for the issuance of Letters of Authority (LoAs) to importers requiring proof that their products meet South Africa’s compulsory specifications. CEO Asogan Moodley... →

Pipes manufacturers take on SABS over unfulfilled mandate

By: Samantha Herbst 6th May 2016 The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (Sappma) has taken legal action against the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) to address the standards body’s alleged failure to perform in terms of its mandate and to meet its obligations, as prescribed in the Standards Act.... →

Locally manufactured hardness tester offers more, costs less

By: Dylan Slater 29th April 2016 Centurion-based testing-device manufacturer Anjo Hardness Testers launched its portable hardness tester the Kompakt Brinell Portable last month. It is cheaper than and offers several advancements, compared with competitor products (all of which are imported) offered locally. →

PORTABLE HARDNESS TESTER The Kompakt Brinell Portable offers hassle-free operation, with improved accuracy and faster cycles

Good data governance gives firms an edge over competitors, US academic avers

By: Schalk Burger 15th April 2016 Good governance practices and management of data regarding customer information and interactions to improve customer experience are increasingly being seen as a competitive advantage, says University of Arkansas Little Rock department of information science Professor John R. Talburt. The use of... →

New primer powder enhances tiling solution

By: Nadine James 8th April 2016 Tile and construction adhesive specialists TAL enhanced its tiling solutions offering by launching the cementitious powder primer Keymix in February. Keymix is used to prepare the surface and enhance the bond of the adhesive onto the surface substrate. The primer forms part of a tile adhesive... →

SURFACE PREPARATION TAL's Keymix and Keycoat slurry prepares the surface and enhances the bond of the adhesive

Treasury could adopt Korean public-sector data quality model

By: Schalk Burger 18th March 2016 South African National Treasury chief director Schalk Human visited the Korean National Information Agency (NIA) in November to learn about and possibly adopt its public-sector data quality framework. The South Korean government aims to apply the framework to between 20 and 30 government... →

Printing solution ensures traceability for industry

11th March 2016 In January, product identification solutions specialist Pyrotec’s machinery division PackMark introduced the 9450 continuous inkjet printer for all manufacturers, regardless of the industry sector in which they fall, as well as the 9540 S, an inkjet printer for the beverage industry that meets... →

9450 CONTINUOUS INKJET PRINTER Prints barcodes and logos of any size or resolution for all manufacturers

Steel industry faces toughest year

By: Dylan Slater 26th February 2016 As local steel demand stagnates and exports decrease, various steel industry role-players and industry analysts have predicted this year will be the toughest one for local steel manufacturers, as companies have been forced to mothball or sell plants, cut jobs and even close operations. →

SURVIVAL The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction says the local steel construction industry will survive the current challenging environment owing to years of resilience

Topics In These Articles

Business Environment Indaba Components Design Pipe Ports PROJECT Resources Simulator System Training Transnet transport Building Energy Petrochemicals Aluminium Container Efficiency Forklift Lifting Materials Handling Paper Safety Service Steel Trucks Construction Cummins ... more

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