In South Africa, there are two types of GCC certificates:
The first type of GCC certificate is the GCC Factories issued by the Department of Employment and Labour's Chief Inspector. The GCC Factories is essentially a license granted to mechanical or electrical persons to supervise machinery as required by the General Machinery Regulations.
The second type of GCC certificate is the GCC Mines & Works (or GCC Mining) issued by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy's Chief Inspector of Mines. The GCC Mines & Works is essentially a license granted to mechanical or electrical persons to supervise machinery as required by the Minerals Act Regulation.
The holders of the GCC certificates are also called Certificated Engineers. The GCC certificate is only relevant to mechanical or electrical engineers, technicians, or artisans working at factories or mines in South Africa.
The GCC certificate is not a qualification - there are no qualification or unit standards registered with the South African Qualifications Authority or the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations.
What is the purpose of the GCC Factories certificate?
The GCC Factories' purpose is to certify that the certificate holder has met requirements to be a Certificated Engineer. A Certificated Engineer definition is from the General Machinery Regulations (GMR) and the Certificate of Competency Regulations. Both these regulations originate from Section 43 of the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act.
According to General Machinery Regulation 2, an employer or user of machinery needs to appoint a full-time designated person for every premises that uses machinery. The GMR 2 appointee is the common name used to refer to the designated person's appointment.
The GMR 2 will be responsible for providing supervision of machinery. The GMR 2 must be a Certificated Engineer whenever the sum of the power generated by machinery is above 3000 kW - this is a requirement according to GMR 2(4)(a)(ii). Alternatively, the GMR 2 must be a person with a bachelor's degree who has passed the GCC factories OHS Act exam and has the relevant experience.
A GMR 2 also needs to be appointed whenever the maximum demand exceeds 10000 kVA. It is applicable where the use of the machinery is to distribute electricity solely. The GMR 2 appointment in this regard is a requirement according to GMR 2(5)(c). Alternatively, the GMR 2 must have a bachelor's degree who has passed the GCC factories OHS Act exam and has the relevant experience.
The Department of Employment and Labour issues the following Certificates of Competency:
Certificate of Competency as Mechanical Engineer (Factories).
Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer (Factories).
What is the purpose of GCC Mines & Works certificate?
According to the Minerals Act Regulation 2.13.1, an engineer needs to be appointed in writing by the mine manager whenever:
the rating of machinery used for power generation and from other power sources exceeds 2500 kW, or
there is an installation of any winding plant used to convey persons.
The 2.13.1 appointment is the common name used to refer to the engineer appointment.
The engineer (2.13.1 appointment) must be a holder of a mechanical or electrical engineer's certificate of competency (also referred to as GCC Mines & Works).
There are two types of GCC Mines & Works certificates:
Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer for Mines and Works
Certificate of Competency as Mechanical Engineer for Mines and Works
How to obtain the GCC Factories
There five main steps to obtaining the GCC Factories certificate are as follows:
Step 1 - Meet the GCC factories exam entry requirements
Step 2 - Apply to write GCC Factories exams
Step 3 - Prepare for the GCC Factories plant engineering & OHS Act exams
Step 4 - Register, write & pass the GCC Factories plant engineering & OHS Act exams
Step 5 - Send your statement of results to the Department of Employment & Labour
The Chief Inspector will then issue the GCC Factories certificate upon recommendation from the Commission of Examiners.
How to obtain the GCC Mines & Works
There nine main steps to obtaining the GCC Mines & Works certificate are as follows:
Step 1 - Obtain a qualification evaluation letter from an approved body
Step 2 - Apply for permission to commence training
Step 3 - Obtain the 'Annexure E' book
Step 4 - Secure an engineering mentor
Step 5 - Complete the 'Annexure E' modules under the supervision of the engineering mentor
Step 6 - Apply to write the GCC Mines & Works examinations
Step 7 - Prepare for the GCC Mines & Works plant engineering and legal knowledge exams
Step 8 - Register, write, & pass the GCC Mines & Works plant engineering and legal knowledge exams
Step 9 - Apply to be issued with the GCC Mines & Works
The Chief Inspector of Mines issues the GCC Mines & Works certificate upon recommendation from the Commission of Examiners.
Conclusion
The purpose of this article was to provide a high-level description of the GCC certificate. In short, the GCC Factories and the GCC Mines & Works are the two types of GCC certificates available in South Africa.
Both GCC certificates are legal requirements in originating from:
the Occupational Health & Safety Amendment Act (in the case of the GCC Factories) and
the Mine Health & Safety Act (in the case of the GCC Mines & Works)
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