In the world of architectural design, building and construction, environmental and socio-economic influences play a large role in both influencing aesthetics, trends and designs, often reflecting cultural trends in the brick and steel of our environment. What does seem to be a consistent in architectural design, however, is the lack of practical consideration for people with a disability. This, hopefully, looks set to change over the coming years, as several pieces of legislation are finally aligning themselves with the recognition that people with a Disability also have rights - rights that allow fair access to employment, facilities, healthcare, and buildings, to say the least. Once again, buildings should start to reflect this ideology, and I must say that from a personal perspective, that this is a long overdue but well received trend.
 
The harsh reality however, is that there are still many environmental, attitudinal and organizational barriers that prevent the integration of people with a disability. Whilst many companies are making great progress in terms of removing these barriers through environmental accessibility audits and 'disability awareness' campaigns, the practical environment is still our biggest obstacle. What is needed is greater pro-activity on the part of building and transport regulations, with penalties imposed for non-compliance in terms of accessibility, employers holding their suppliers accountable for removing barriers within their own environment, and a review of the spirit of inclusion as promoted by the relevant Labour Legislation.

Upon my arrival at scheduled meetings pertaining to findabuilder.co.za , I am finding that many of our members are unsure as to what it's all about, so for today's blog post, I will do my best to clarify.

finabuilder.co.za is a Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal online directory, the purpose of which is essentially to promote our members and to steer business in their direction.

We are advertising findabuilder.co.za quite extensively and some may have seen it advertised on the front cover of the 2010 Midlands, Zululand and South Coast Yellow Pages.

How it works:

If somebody is looking for building industry related service, they will connect to the internet and go to findabuilder.co.za.From there they will choose from the menu's provided, they will select a heading e.g. General contractors, choose a service e.g. "House Builders" and select the region they fall into e.g. "South Coast."

In July 2009 the Pressure Equipment Regulations number R. 734 were gazetted (Gazette Number 32395) as part of the Occupational Health and Safety Act; (Act No. 85 of 1993) and replaced the previous "Vessels Under Pressure" regulation. The regulations came into force on the 1st October 2009.

The scope of the regulations stipulate that they shall apply to the design, manufacture, operation, repair, modification, maintenance, inspection, and testing of pressure equipment with a design pressure equal to or greater than 50kPa in term of section 44 of the Act. With the regulation specifying 50 kPa as the minimum, all refrigeration plants, whether for cold storage or in air conditioning is governed by the relevant clauses in the regulations.

The regulation makes provision for an Authorised Person who is registered as competent within the scope of work undertaken. The Department of Labour has accredited SAQCC Gas (the South African Qualifications Certification Committee, Gas) to process registrations and to maintain a register of competent practitioners.  The South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors' Association (SARACCA) is a member of SAQCC Gas along with the Liquid Petroleum Gas, Pipeline Gas and Compressed Gas Associations.

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Waste Management activities that have, or likely to have a detrimental effect on the environment.

The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs in terms of the National Environmental Management:  Waste Act of 2008 published a list of Waste Management Activities that have, or are, likely to have a detrimental effect on the environment.

In the Schedule attached to the list, "construction" means the building, erection, establishment, alteration or expansion of a facility, structure or infrastructure that is necessary for the undertaking of a listed activity.

Listed operations fall into the following two categories:

Category A

A person wishing to commence, or undertake an activity listed under this category is required to get an environmental impact assessment process as stipulated in the environmental assessment regulations made in accordance with the Act as part of a waste management licence application.

In terms of Clause 4.1.2 if the by-laws adopted by agreement with FIFA and the SA Government a Municipality has the right to suspend any construction works within the vicinity of the soccer stadiums without being obliged to pay compensation to any person.

Your Association had made enquiries about this seemingly draconian by-law and we are assured that it will only be applied:

Where construction work prevents or impedes access to the soccer stadiums.
If there is actual construction work underway in the vicinity of the stadium.

Construction work will only be suspended on the day of a match - there are only 7 matches scheduled for the Durban stadium.

We were also assured that it is not intended to disrupt normal construction activity and that in the unlikely event that this by-law is imposed then there is an undertaking to provide the parties concerned with as much notice as possible.

Bruce Lyle | Membership Services Manager

SARS is offering FREE tax eduction workshops to the public. 

For KwaZulu-Natal the training is only being offered at the Durban offices.

Perhaps SARS will supply free tea and biscuits which will be a tax free benefit.

See course content

GREG BEYKIRCH | FINANCIAL MANAGER

We are pleased to announce and welcome the following new members to the Association:

Ordinary Members

Boldmere Projects CC t/a K2 Builders, South Coast
Combined Benefits CC t/a Botwela Construction, Durban
Hibiscus Gutters, South Coast
Foursite Projects (Pty) Ltd, Durban
MCB Construction Midlands (Pty) Ltd, South Coast
Mnguni Well CC, Durban
Sivukile Construction, Durban
SGB Cape, Durban

Associate Members

Ilifa Africa Engineers (Pty) Ltd, Zululand
Midas Earthcote Zululand CC, Zululand
Timco Manufacturers & Joinery, Midlands
Training Force (Pty) Ltd, Durban

The following Members have had Name Changes:

On Tap Port Shepstone to Plumbing & Hardware Scene
Plumbman Services CC to Plumbman
Watertite Projects Painting and Eazi-Thatch to Watertite Projects CC

Shelly Kupfermann | Administration Manager