Equipping Gas Inspectors

Safety and compliance is an ongoing necessity in the Gas industry. Many gas-related accidents are a result of non-compliance and installations that do not conform to the approved gas regulations and standards. The proper regulation and inspection of gas installations are crucial, the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has appointed 500 inspectors across the provinces to assist in keeping the Gas industry safe. The increased number of inspectors will ensure Gas installations completed in South Africa have been inspected timeously and thoroughly.

The South African Qualifications and Certifications Committee of Gas (SAQCC Gas) is mandated by the DEL to ensure the gas industry operates as stipulated by the Pressure Equipment Regulations (PER). The primary object of the SAQCC Gas is to ensure both the end-user and the Gas Practitioner is safe, this includes ensuring all installations have been completed compliantly and safely. To properly equip the new inspectors, SAQCC Gas together with the DEL organized training for the inspectors, which will assist them as to what they should look for when they do inspections for the gas industry.  The training was held from 2-5 November 2020, it was a virtual training due to COVID 19, and more than 100 inspectors attended the sessions. The four associations presented the training.

SAQCC Gas is made up of four associations namely; The Southern African Gas Association (SAGA), South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (SARACCA), Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of South Africa (LPGSASA), Southern African Compressed Gases Association (SACGA). All four associations gave the guidelines for the inspection of all types of gases respectively.

SAGA covered Natural Gas, LNG, and CNG in domestic, commercial, and industrial environments, including Natural and Liquified Gas Themo-processing as well as Legislation and the Regulatory Framework (PER). SARACCA gave training on refrigerants commonly used, the phasing out of HCFCs and HFCs, and the aspects of safety in refrigeration equipment. LPGSASA shed light on different types of cylinders, illegal filling, and the different grades of installers. The SAGCA gave a presentation on Gas Cylinders, including the history and development of Gas Cylinders, cylinder filling, cylinder testing, and other types of gas containers. The inspectors were also given checklists for each gas type to be used when conducting inspections.

The inspectors were impressed with the level of training they received which included technical information as well. The response we received was positive and they are looking forward to the next session which will include practical inspections.

The objective of the training was to fully equip the inspectors to conduct thorough inspections and keep the gas industry safe and compliant.

As an industry, we are excited about the increase in the number of inspectors. This will make a huge difference in the gas industry in terms of policing and enforcement. – SAQCC Gas