Driven Machinery Regulations, 1988

National Code of Practice for the Evaluation of Training Providers for Lifting Machine Operators

Appendix 4: General explanatory notes

These form part of the provisions of the Code

This appendix contains explanatory notes, which should be taken into account when additional clarity maybe required.

1. Accreditation of accredited providers will remain valid whilst no non-conformances are recorded during annual audits. If any non-conformances are recorded the accredited provider will have 30 days of the audit date to correct and provide any explanations, which may be required.

2. The responsibility of the accredited provider shall go beyond simply carrying out training and assessments but shall include applying measures to ensure that the standards of training and assessments are maintained at all times.

3. An accredited provider may operate as a training organisation on a client’s premises. The registered facilitator shall ensure that sufficient equipment and facilities are available at the client‘s premises to undertake and complete the training programme to ensure the required level of competence. In all cases a record (refer Annexure 8) must be kept of the facilities and equipment used at the premises for inspection during audits. Any special circumstances such as the absence of suitable equipment to perform the practical tests required should be recorded and the certificate issued may require limitation endorsements.

4, Copies of all assessment papers and practical test marking sheets are required to be kept for each certificate of competence issued for audit purposes.

5. A composite organisation involved in the direct sale of equipment and which has sufficient staff to perform accredited provider functions shall obtain accreditation and shall be required to demonstrate the following:

1. That adequate safeguards are in place to isolate certification staff from those involved in the other aspects of the organisation to ensure that no pressures are brought to bare which may influence registered facilitator’s and assessor’s judgement;
2. The organisation has a clearly defined policy for the resolution of conflict that may arise;

6. Accredited providers requiring registered facilitators to use alternative course material, to their own proprietary material, must be able to demonstrate to the authorised body that they are conversant with the material and able to use it effectively.

7. An organisation applying for accreditation, as an accredited provider must provide written approval for the use of the course material submitted unless it is clearly entirely of its own origination.

8. Where conditions and/or equipment are insufficient to be able to assess an operator's performance under all types of situation then any certificate must be limited accordingly. 9. In the case of the client's only requirement is for the operator to load and off load road vehicles then the certificate of competence must be limited in either of the following manner:

1. "Whilst in the employment of the Client"; or
2. "For loading and off loading road vehicles only"

The second alternative is preferred, as this will adequately represent the operator's competency if the certificate of competence is presented to another employer.

10. Hoists, and block and tackle could be classified under code 30, (Overhead Cranes) and the certificate shall be restricted as such.

Appendix 5: Approval of accredited providers

These form part of the provisions of the Code of Practice

1. The approval of an accredited provider by the authorised body shall be conditional upon the following:

1. Meeting the Criteria & Guidelines of this code of practice and as specified by SAQA;
2. Should an accredited provider lose its accreditation it shall automatically lose its approval by the regulatory authority; and
3. A schedule of fees adjusted annually in terms of the SEIFSA indices for labour may be charged for accreditation by the authorised body.
4. Payment within 30 days on submission of invoice for audit fees;

Appendix 6: Returns from accredited providers

1. Accredited providers are required to provide the following:

1. Internal verification procedure/s documentation as requested;
2. Monthly returns of certificates of competence issued according to each code; The format of these returns should be in accordance with the SAQA National Learner Record Database for learner achievements in accordance with the NQF.
3. Access to training material and other records as required for the efficient auditing of this code of practice and SAQA standards; and
4. Submission of corrective action reports for non-compliance or any other matter effecting accreditation.