Trends in the Lifting Market from Piet Otto

Trends in the Lifting Market from Piet Otto, CEO of Phakamisa Safety Consultants

As times of uncertainty prevail amidst a global health pandemic, Piet Otto CEO of Phakamisa Safety Consultants shares his opinions and trends of the lifting market.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your professional background

I have been involved with the lifting equipment industry since 1969 when I joined Mc Kinnon Chain in Port Elizabeth, after doing articles with a legal firm for four years. In 1999 I formed Phakamisa Safety Consultants after we sold the company to Haggie and last year celebrated my 50th year in the industry. I have been involved with marketing, manufacturing, inspection and testing of lifting equipment, mainly lifting tackle and hoists. I am a registered ECSA LMI, serve on SABS TC 1020, and a Council member of LEEASA.

2. How has your business been impacted by the current crisis and how are you navigating it to remain competitive in the market?

Our business, which consists of training lifting equipment users and inspectors, on site auditing clients operations, and consulting has come to an absolute stand still with no income generated since the 19th of March. As it is uncertain as to when we will be able to assist our clients again, we cannot plan, other than to investigate possible online training in future. Due to the nature of our training, online training will not be easy and not very practical. We are however looking at all our training options.

3. What are the biggest challenges facing the lifting sector today?

Lifting is an essential service required in all aspects of mining, construction, marine and other industries. The use if inferior, and sub standard imported cranes, hoists and lifting tackle does pose a serious risk to health and safety. Failure can lead to loss of life and damage to property and equipment. Furthermore, as a

lot of users do not understand and appreciate the importance of proper inspection, testing and maintenance of their equipment, they dis regard the importance of using properly qualified and equipped service providers and award contracts or services based on the lowest price offered. Another concern is the lack of understanding and legal requirements of lifting equipment issues by engineering and safety staff. These persons often impose their own opinions and requirements for the use, marking, certification, inspection and testing of lifting equipment.

4. What are the trends in the sector that you are seeing? What do you attribute it to?

Since the introduction of LME and LMI requirements by the DOL for testing and inspection, there has often been a lot of abuse by some of these parties, for financial gain only, and taking short cuts at the expense of the user. All services must be conducted in accordance with the applicable Standards and the Law. As there is a shortage of LME/LMI services, mainly in smaller and outlying areas, users often take whatever is offered to them by the service provider as gospel and allow sub standard or unnecessary work to be performed. These trends are exacerbated by lack of passion for their work, financial gain, in experience and lack of knowledge and legal requirements by some service providers.

5. What is your outlook for lifting in South Africa? What is the role of your company in this outlook?

The lifting industry will either grow or slow down depending on the growth of the countries construction, mining and other

Piet Otto, CEO of Phakamisa Safety Consultants

industries. Economists are not positive about our short or long term growth, mainly as a result of the Governments debt burden and al the other negative issues facing the country. Also local manufacturing will suffer for various reasons including the demands of the trade unions, lack of productivity and other issues such as the demise of Eskom, Transnet, municipal and other institutions that use a lot of lifting equipment. Our role is to train not only the user, but also the service provider to implement and maintain a safe lifting program in the work place. This will always be required, but the demand will depend on outside circumstances.

6. Do you have any key lessons learned during these trying times that you can share with our readers?

It is hard to stay positive when your future is not in your own hands but is affected by the powers to be that dictate how, or when, you are allowed to operate. I have learned that online training and other options need to be pursued, but in a service industry like our it is not easy, as physical presence is required to assist the user to satisfy his demands and his requirements. Piet Otto Cell: 082 372 4595 Email: potto@icon.co.za Website: www.phakamisasafety.co.za