Page 26 - Energize September 2022

NEWS

‘Making the cut’ in gas safety training, cutting

and welding sectors

hile many may still think that the cutting, that administration and organisational excellence contribute
welding and grinding industry is an exclusively enormously to GSI’s compressed gas safety training success.
Wmale domain, five women in pivotal roles at Hofmeyr and Kearns are both dedicated to promoting compressed
First Cut – a local provider of cutting, welding and grinding gas safety in industry, and together are testimony to the success of
consumables and equipment – and its sister company Gas women in this sector.
Safety International (GSI) show unequivocally that this is a
commonly-held misperception. Women in welding and compressed gas equipment training
So says Ian McCrystal, First Cut’s CEO, who explains: “We Demonstrating her expertise in the gas safety training and risk
are very proud that our company culture fosters the growth assessment arena is GSI’s Training and Risk Assessment Officer Thabelo
and progression of women within the industry sectors that (‘Thabs’) Rabedzwana.
we service - which includes a strong focus on engineering and With over 20 years of experience, Rabedzwana is passionate about
mining. gas safety training.
There are no barriers to entry for women at First Cut or “Stringent safety is imperative when it comes to welding as well
at our sister company GSI. This is proven when we look at as gas cutting, heating and brazing,” she says, “and this applies across
the example of five key women in our companies, who work all industries. I am very pleased to be able to provide this service, and
across various divisions in different roles.” I thoroughly enjoy my job - especially with regards to meeting and
engaging with new people all the time, and empowering them with
Women championing gas safety and welding knowledge and safety skills.”
training Rabedzwana endorses colleague Melanie Kearns’s input when
Melanie Kearns manages the sales for the compressed gas she adds: “I am seeing an increasing number of women interested in
training provided by GSI, as well as oxyfuel product sales. GSI welding. I have also seen female welders being promoted to the role
provides certified compressed gas safety training and quality of boilermakers, which is relatively new in recent years, and a very
gas equipment to a wide range of sectors, including welding, encouraging sign.”
to ensure a safe and efficient working environment. She also believes that increasing the number of trained artisans
Kearns explains: “I believe that women are able to play using compressed gas equipment in South Africa could assist with
their role in the industrial arena far more easily – and more providing employment, explaining: “I believe that growing the numbers
effectively – than a decade ago. As one of these women, I am of professional artisans across industries could assist with improving
proud to be part of the GSI team, because the products and unemployment, because welding and gas cutting is a trade that
training we provide to our customers are of such high quality. operates across many industries.
Our compressed gas safety training courses are of critical I also hope to see an ever-increasing number of female compressed
importance, because of the high risk attached to working with gas equipment operators, because I believe it can help to make the
compressed gases. industry more balanced - and stronger - thanks to the skills that women
The training we offer enables attendees to identify risk bring to the workplace. These include greater attention to detail, strong
factors, and empowers their employees to manage these communication skills, patience and great relationship-building.”
risks accordingly. GSI training is also accredited by the ECSA
(Engineering Council of South Africa).
Typically, our seminar attendees include management,
artisans and operators; as well as laboratory employees
and other support staff. Although many are from the
mining industry, the training is applicable to all users of
compressed gas.
I am so excited to see a lot more female delegates
attending our training too. The number of women in
technical roles today, compared to decade ago, is extremely
heartening! Gender diversity in industries such as mining is
definitely gaining traction, and I trust will continue to do so.”
Kearns’s longstanding colleague, Anneke Hofmeyr, is
another key member in the GSI team. She supports GSI’s
managing director Peter Rohlssen very ably, demonstrating

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