Table of Content
Introduction
The South African legal basis that justifies the need for the GCC Factories
The simple definition of the GCC Factories as it relates to its South African legal basis
Who can get the GCC Factories?
Steps to getting the GCC Factories
Conclusion
1. Introduction
Are you looking to do the GCC Factories but are still confused about what it's all about and where you can use the GCC Factories?
In this post, I will provide a complete definition of the GCC Factories that will help you decide whether it is the proper certification to pursue.
Specifically, I will discuss:
The South African legal basis that justifies the need for the GCC Factories
Provide a simple definition of the GCC Factories as it relates to its South African legal basis
Who can get the GCC Factories
Steps to getting the GCC Factories
2. The South African legal basis that justifies the need for the GCC Factories
The Consitution of South Africa is the supreme law of the Republic of South Africa.
The South African Consitution provides the legal foundation of the country's existence, defines the rights & duties of citizens, and defines the structure of the Government.
The laws of the country are then established based on the legal foundation of the constitution.
The acts of parliament establish the laws of the country. One such act of parliament is the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act provides for persons' health and safety at work and the health and safety of persons connected with the use of plant and machinery.
Section 8 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that employers protect their employees' health and safety.
One of the employers' requirements is to ensure the safe use of machinery by providing supervision during its use.
But what does that mean?
Section 43 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act gives the minister of labor to promulgate regulations to further the Occupational Health and Safety Act's objectives. The regulations seek to provide further details on how to fulfill the Occupational Health and Safety Act requirements.
One of the regulations is the General Machinery Regulations.
According to General Machinery Regulation 2.1, the employer must have a competent person to supervise machinery. The competent person is the employer's Engineer.
The employer's Engineer must ensure that machinery's operation is according to its specification and meets the Occupational Health and Safety Act requirements.
3. Provide a simple definition of the GCC Factories as it relates to its South African legal basis
So, what is the GCC Factories?
GCC stands for the Government Certificate of Competency. Some South Africans refer to it as the "ticket."
The Chief Inspector at the Department of Employment and Labour grants a Certificate of Competency to persons who meet its requirements.
The requirements are according to the Certificate of Competency Regulations and the Department of Employment and Labour Guidelines.
The GCC Factories is a license to supervise machinery at a workplace as per the General Machinery Regulation 2.1.
4. Who can get the GCC Factories
The GCC Factories is for persons who have a mechanical or electrical qualification and work at workplaces where machinery falls within the General Machinery Regulations' scope.
Suitable qualifications include:
Bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical engineering
National diploma in mechanical or electrical engineering
National technical diploma in mechanical or electrical engineering
Workplaces, where the sum of the power generated by machinery is above 3000 kW, must have an employer's Engineer with a GCC Factories to supervise its machinery.
And in the case where machinery is for the use of distributing electricity, the employer's Engineer will have to have the GCC Factories when the maximum demand is above 10 000 kVA.
The alternative is that the employer's Engineer must have a Bachelor's in Engineer and have passed the GCC Factories Occupational Health and Safety Act exam.
The Fast Moving Consumer (FMCG), Food & Beverages, Tobacco, Oil & Energy, Utilities, and Manufacturing industries typically require the employer's Engineer to have the GCC Factories.
Employers such as Unilever, Coca-Cola, Ab InBev, British American tobacco, Sasol, Eskom, and Tongaat Hullet typically require the employer's Engineer to have the GCC Factories.
5. Steps to getting the GCC Factories
Now, let's talk about the steps to getting the GCC Factories:
Step 1 - Meet the GCC Factories exam entry requirements
The journey to obtaining the GCC Factories starts by meeting the GCC Factories exam entry requirements as stipulated by the Commission of Examiners from the Department of Employment and Labour.
Step 2 - Apply to write the GCC factories exams
You will need to complete the prescribed application form, attach the required supporting documents, which include your qualifications & required letters.
Step 3 - Prepare for the GCC Factories plant engineering & OHS Act exams
You will have to write the GCC Factories plant engineering and the Occupational Health & Safety Act exams. The pass mark for the exams is 50%. The GCC Factories plant engineering and OHS Act exams are challenging. You will have to prepare sufficiently for these exams.
Step 4 - Register, write & pass the GCC Factories plant engineering & OHS Act exams
The GCC Factories plant engineering and OHS Act exams are written every year during June and November at approved TVET colleges.
Step 5 - Send your statement of results to the Department of Employment & Labour
Send your statement of results to the Commission of Examiners. The Chief Inspector may grant you the Certificate of Competency mechanical or electrical engineering upon recommendation from the Commission of Examiners.
Persons granted the Government Certificate of Competency in mechanical or electrical is referred to as Certificated Engineers.
6. Conclusion
So you now know what the GCC Factories is all about.
First, the legal basis of the GCC Factories is from the General Machinery Regulations. The General Machinery Regulations trace back to the Constitution of South Africa.
Secondly, the GCC Factories is a license to supervise machinery according to the requirements of General Machinery Regulation 2.1.
Thirdly, the GCC Factories is suitable for persons with mechanical or electrical qualifications who work in industries where machinery generates power over 3000 kW. And in the case where the machinery is for electricity distribution, the maximum demand is above 10 000 kVA.
And lastly, there are five main steps to obtaining the GCC Factories.
Do you feel ready to start your GCC Factories journey? Let me know in the comments section by commenting, "Yes, I am ready!"
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It's clear that having this certification is crucial for engineers in South Africa, particularly in sectors like manufacturing and energy. I appreciate how you’ve outlined the legal basis for the GCC, making it easier to understand why it’s a requirement under the General Machinery Regulations. The step-by-step guide on how to pursue this certification is really helpful, especially for anyone considering this career path. For anyone on the fence, it's important to recognize the value that the GCC Factories certification adds in terms of career advancement and ensuring workplace safety. Well-written and informative! Are you running a business or do you need to draw up paperwork for something personal, like renting out your home? We’ve got free printable templates for…
Yes I am ready
Thanks for this info. What is the relationship between the GCC and the Pr. Eng from ECSA?