Page 3 - EngineerIT October 2022

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

Professional Engineering

Act: A wake-up call

n the Daily Maverick of 16 September, Johan Maartens (Pr. their own organisation conducts inside out, do not
Eng.), CEO of SAIMC, issued a wake-up call to engineers know what ‘Engineering Work’ is in the context of
Iand other professionals. He wrote “The Professional the Professional Engineering Act. Quality managers,
Engineering Act is catching many business owners and in particular, are responsible for ensuring that their
managers unprepared. Originally gazetted in 2000, one clause organisation is aware of all legal Acts that have an
in the Act which defines ‘Engineering Work’ was forced to impact on their business.
wait in the wings. It eventually passed all hurdles and has
now been thrust into the limelight. Unbeknown to many The registration of applicable persons falls under the
technical staff and their companies’ management teams, it purview of the Engineering Council of South Africa
is they who are expected – or rather, legally obligated – to (ECSA). Besides registering with ECSA, staff must also
perform at centre stage.” obtain continuing professional development (CPD)
points to stay up to date with the knowledge and skills
Engineering is a complex, ever-evolving world that demands necessary to support their businesses. Obtaining CPD
change within organisations and the way in which they are points means that technical staff must be given the
run. A long-dormant clause in an Act of government is set to opportunity to join a voluntary association and attend
enforce new strictures on directors and managers imminently, courses, seminars, exhibitions and similar events that
with serious implications in the form of penalties and possibly have secured the necessary CPD status. Individuals
even sanctions. are required to obtain 25 points in three categories
over a five-year cycle to remain registered.
He further wrote: “At the risk of being undiplomatic, my
question to the management staff of businesses (including Thank you, SAIMC, for sponsoring the article
financial, technical, quality and legal departments) is: Are and making the industry aware of the possible
you aware of the impact of this law from 2000 and have you implications that face the industry.
considered its impact on your business, or are you waiting
and hoping that by ignoring it, it will all just go away?” During September, Electra Mining Africa, the largest
industrial exhibition on the African continent,
The reason I am putting this message out now is to alert opened its doors to 30 000 visitors, a clear indication
the engineering industry at large to the urgency with which that South Africa is on the move again. We must
individuals and their companies must ensure they comply keep up this momentum of taking on the world and
with the Act. Compliance with ‘Engineering Work’ standards, we must guard against slacking off even if the end of
as (eventually) defined in the Act only last year, will come into 2022 is near.
effect at the start of 2025. Two and a half years might seem
like a long time from now, but registration of technical staff Enjoy the articles we have selected for this addition of
(not just engineers) must in some cases be performed by the EngineerIT.
end of 2022.”
Greetings
As from 1 January 2025, people doing ‘Engineering Work’
need to do so under the supervision of a registered person, Hans van de Groenendaal
or face a possible fine of up to twice the salary they earned Editor
while doing said work. Another complication is that many hansv@nowmedia.co.za
managers, despite understanding the engineering work 082 781 4631

EngineerIT | October 2022 | 1