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DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT, 1993
EXAMINATIONS FOR THE MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS
CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY (FACTORIES)
Revised January 2007
 

1. Introduction
2. Qualifying Examinations
3. Acceptance of Candidates
4. Syllabi and Examination Rules
5. Alternative Certificates of Competency
6. Summarised Procedure
7. Mines Certificates of Competency
8. Acceptable trades and experience
9. Syllabus for Plant Engineering
10. Syllabus for Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 and Regulations
11. Download DoL information Brochure
12. View graphic of the educational routes to obtain a Government Certificate of Competency.

Introduction

• The following instructions, rules and syllabi for the examinations set by the Commission of Examiners are constituted in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 and the Regulations concerning the Certificate of Competency, 1990.
  
  
• The following Certificates of Competency are issued by the Department of Labour:
  (a) Certificate of Competency as Mechanical Engineer (Factories).
  (b) Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer (Factories).
  
  
• Written examinations for each of these certificates are held in June and November by the Department of Education in collaboration with the Commission of Examiners appointed by the Chief Inspector.
  
  
• The procedure to be followed in order to acquire a Certificate of Competency is summarised below.
   

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Qualifying Examinations

• To qualify for a Certificate of Competency as Mechanical or Electrical Engineer, the following subjects must be passed by persons accepted as candidates:
  (a) Plant Engineering (Factories)
  (b) Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, and the regulations promulgated there under.
  
  
• To qualify for a Certificate of Competency, candidates must obtain at least 50% of the full marks in each subject stipulated at least in 2.1. Candidates need not pass both subjects at the same examination sitting, but the second subject must be passed within 3 years of passing the first, otherwise both subjects must be re-written. However, if a candidate obtains 75% or more of the full marks in either subject, he will be permanently exempt from re-writing that subject. An appropriate certificate of competency will be issued to candidates who have passed both subjects.

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Acceptance of Candidates

1. No person shall be allowed to write the qualifying examinations unless accepted as a candidate by the Commission of Examiners. No credit will be given for a pass in the subjects mentioned in 2.1 before acceptance.



2. An applicant shall not be accepted as a candidate by the Commission of Examiners unless he has submitted proof that he has reached the age of 23 years, of his sobriety and general good conduct and that he is in possession of one of the following qualifications with appropriate experience in engineering:
   
   
   • A B.Sc. degree in mechanical or electrical engineering recognised by the Commission of Examiners and at least 2 years post graduate experience in the maintenance and operation of mechanical or electrical machinery, as the case may be, which is to the satisfaction of the Commission of Examiners.
   • A National Higher Diploma (T4) or National Diploma (S4) in mechanical or electrical engineering, (Technikon course) plus at least 2 years subsequent experience in the maintenance and operation of mechanical or electrical machinery, as the case may be, which is to the satisfaction of the Commission of Examiners, and of which at least one year has been at a factory. The completion of such course shall include passing all the subjects with a mark of as least 50%.
   
   
   
3. Individual Technikons will structure a curriculum to cover the electrical and mechanical courses according to the requirements of the Plant Engineering Syllabus.
   


4. The Technikon will subsequently certify that a candidate for the Government Certificate of Competency having followed the Technikon route, has:
   (i) completed a curriculum which covers the syllabus for Plant Engineering
   (ii) acquired a National Higher Diploma (T4) or National Diploma (S4) with a mark per subject of at least 50%; and
   (iii) received the necessary practical training, to obtain the National Higher Diploma (T4) or National Diploma (S4).
   


5. A National Technical N6 diploma in mechanical or electrical engineering (Technical College Course). The completion of such a course will include passing all the subjects with a mark of at least 50%. A person will also have served an apprenticeship in an appropriate trade and gained experience in the maintenance and operation of mechanical or electrical machinery, as listed.. Such experience, of which at least one year has been at a factory, shall be to the satisfaction of the Commission of Examiners.



6. The Department of Education will structure a curriculum to cover the electrical and mechanical course according to the requirements of the Plant Engineering Syllabus as set out. After completion of the prescribed courses the candidate should have:
   (i) completed the curriculum which covers the syllabus for Plant Engineering; and
   (ii) acquired a National Technical Certificate with a mark of at least 50% in all the subjects.
   
   
7. A candidate who is in possession of the necessary qualifications as listed will be evaluated and accepted accordingly.



8. Other qualifications and experience will be considered on merit by the Commission of Examiners
   
   
9. Persons who wish to be accepted as candidates and who are in possession of a foreign degree, diploma or certificate in engineering, or who are in possession of engineering qualification other than those mentioned in 3.2, must have such a degree, diploma, certificate or engineering qualification evaluated by the Department of Education, Engineering Field of Study, Private Bag X110, Pretoria, 0001, or who will indicate what additional subjects, if any, must be passed in order to comply with the requirements for acceptance. A request for evaluation must indicate that it is for the Certificate of Competency (M) or (E), and must include a list of the subjects, including marks obtained, which led to the obtaining of the degree, diploma, or certificate. A copy of the evaluation and a certified copy of the degree, diploma or certificate must accompany the application for acceptance as a candidate.
   
   NOTE: An evaluation by the Human Science Research Council or South African Qualifications Authority on its own is NOT sufficient.
   
   
10. A person who has been accepted by the Commission of Examiners as a candidate and did not obtained a Certificate of Competency within seven (7) years from the date of his/her acceptance must re-ply to the Commission for acceptance.

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Syllabi and Examination Rules

• The syllabi for the subjects mentioned in 2.1 are given below.



• Plant Engineering is a “closed book” examination. It will consist of both mechanical and electrical questions, with a limited choice of questions. The time allowed for the examination will be 3 hours. Candidates may not use programmable calculators in the examination room.



• The question paper on the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations is a “closed book” examination. There is no choice of questions and all questions must be answered. The time allocated for the examination is 3 hours.
  

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Alternative Certificates of Competency

• The holder of a Certificate of Competency issued in terms of the Minerals Act of 1991, who wishes to qualify for the equivalent certificate for Factories, shall re-apply for acceptance as a candidate together with proof of at least one year’s appropriate experience in the maintenance and operation of machinery at a factory to the satisfaction of the Commission of Examiners. After acceptance the subject Legal Knowledge (Factories) must passed.
  
  
• The holder of a Certificate of Competency as Mechanical Engineer who wishes to qualify for a certificate as an Electrical Engineer shall re-apply. He/she shall produce proof of appropriate experience, which shall be to the satisfaction of the Commission of Examiners. Such experience shall consist of at least 2 years experience in the maintenance and operation of electrical machinery or at least 4 years “mixed” experience the maintenance and operation of both electrical and mechanical machinery, which was gained after the acquisition of the mechanical certificate. The applicant will also be required to produce proof of passing the conversion subjects required to cover the syllabus for the Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer, with a mark of at least 50%.
  
  
• The holder of a Certificate of Competency as an Electrical Engineer who wishes to qualify for a certificate as Mechanical Engineer shall re-apply. He shall produce proof of appropriate experience, which shall be to the satisfaction of the Commission of Examiners. Such experience shall consist of at least 2 years experience in the maintenance and operation of mechanical machinery or at least 4 years “mixed” experience in the maintenance and operation of both mechanical and electrical machinery, which was gained after the acquisition of the electrical certificate. The applicant will also be required to produce proof of passing the conversion subjects required to cover the syllabus for the Certificate of Competency as Mechanical Engineer, with a mark of at least 50%.

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Summarised Procedure

• Application forms for acceptance are obtainable from:
  The Secretary
  Commission of Examiners
  Department of Labour
  Private bag X117
  Pretoria
  0001
  
  Tel.: (012) 309 4111 or Website: www.labour.gov.za

• Completed forms to be returned to the above-mentioned postal address together with:
  (a) R130.00 S. A. Revenue stamps affixed to the application form.
  (b) Certified copies of degrees, diplomas, or certificates, Technikon syllabus certification (see par. 3.2.2) and if applicable a copy of the evaluation certificate for foreign qualifications. (see par. 3.2.4).
  (c) Proof of appropriate practical experience on company letter head and verified by signature of the employer.
  (d) A testimonial of sobriety and conduct signed by an employer.
  (e) Proof of age, name and identification number, i.e. certified copy of ID document or a copy of birth certificate.
  (f) A letter from the Resident Engineer, where possible indicating that the applicant is considered to be a suitable candidate.
  
  NOTE: Facsimile copies of the above-mentioned will not be accepted.

• The Commission of Examiners will inform the candidate by letter of acceptance for the examinations.
• The letter of acceptance must be submitted when entering for the qualifying subjects (2.1) at any Technical College or the Department of Education where the examination fees must be paid. The examinations are held in June and November and the closing dates for entry are set by the Department of Education.
• The Commission of Examiners will not entertain applications for acceptance to the examinations later than 10 working days before the examination closing date set by the Department of Education.
• To confirm the closing dates for entry to the qualifying examinations, consult with the Department of Education on the number: (012) 312 – 5755/6.
• Candidates, who have passed the qualifying subjects must forward certified proof of having passed the prescribed subjects to the Commission of Examiners at the above-mentioned address. Candidates who have passed by means of a remark must notify the Commission of Examiners accordingly.
• The Commission will forward the appropriate certificate of competency to successful candidates.
   

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Mines Certificates

Persons who which to qualify for a certificate of competency for Mines must apply to:

The Secretary
Commission of Examiners
Department of Minerals and Energy
Private bag X59
PRETORIA
0001

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Acceptable Trades and Experience

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Syllabus for Plant Engineering.

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Practical Knowledge (Factories)

1. Project Engineering including planning (Gantt Charts), management (critical path scheduling), commissioning and development of a planned maintenance scheme; Loss control management, incident investigations and corrective actions;
2. Electrical Plant and Equipment including generation, transforming, rectification, control and measurement; Testing and repairing of electric motors; Phasing and synchronizing a.c. motors operating in tandem; Fault detection in electric systems; Emergency electric plant; Explosion- proof equipment.
3. Hydraulics including hydrostatic drives-classification and characteristics, hydraulic pumps, actuators and circuits for sequence operation; General properties of lubricants and additives to lubricants (oil and grease).
4. Pressure equipment and plant including boiler, super heater and economizer efficiencies, vessels under pressure inspection and testing, steam ancillary equipment and pipe systems; Maintenance and fault diagnosis of compressors, refrigeration compressor and systems; Pumps, pump stations and fluid mechanics; Gas fuel system maintenance and safety;
5. Factory equipment and plant including lifting and conveying machinery, ie lifts, belt conveyors, aerial ropeways, lift trucks, steel rope, chains and connections, welders, heat treatment plant, lathes, drills, the maintenance, inspection and testing and repairs of all typical machinery used in factories; Flammable and hazardous substance environments, machinery and equipment.
6. Strengths and structures of plant including steel structures (stresses), beams, mechanical properties of fabrication materials, heat treatment and application of steel alloys and man made products (ie nylons), abrasion and protection of structures (steel an other materials). Utilization of concrete, reinforcement, composite beams, curing, chemical protection and wear.
7. Environmental engineering including ventilation systems, air-conditioning systems, dust suppression, emission control of diesel engines, occupational noise originated by machines and hearing protection, illumination types, effects and efficiencies.
8. Safety equipment and systems includes machine guarding, automatic control systems, detection systems, safety precautions and safety devices as found and used on all types of machines; Fire prevention equipment and systems, flammable and hazardous substance plants and continuous plant.

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Syllabus for Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 and Regulations

1. The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (No. 85 of 1993) any subsequent amendments including the definitions.
2. Regulations promulgated in terms of section 43 of the Act including all amendments to the Regulations
   
   (a) The “General Administrative Regulations” (Notice No. R. 929 of 25 June 2003).
   
   (b) The “Electrical Installation Regulations” (Notice No. R. 2920 of 23 October 1992).
   
   (c) The “General Safety Regulations” (Notice No. R. 1031 of 30 May 1986).
   
   (d) The “Asbestos Regulations” (Notice No. R. 155 of 10 February 2002).
   
   (e) The “Environment Regulations for Workplaces” (Notice No. R. 2281 of 16 October 1987).
   
   (f) The “Driven Machinery Regulations” (Notice No. R. 295 of 26 February 1988).
   
   (g) The “General Machinery Regulations” (Notice No. R. 1521 of 5 August 1998).
   
   (h) The “Electrical Machinery Regulations” (Notice No. R. 1593 of 12 August 1988).
   
   (i) The “Facility Regulations” (Notice No. R. 2362 of 5 October 1990).
   
   (j) The “Lead Regulations” (Notice No. R. 236 of 28 February 2002).
   
   (k) The “Vessels Under Pressure Regulations” (Notice No. R. 1591 of 4 October 1996).
   
   (l) The “Lift, Escalators and Passenger Conveyor Regulations” (Notice No. R. 797 of 29 April 1994).
   
   (m) The “Hazardous Chemical Substances Regulations” (Notice No. R. 1179 of 25 August 1995).
   
   (n) The “Major Hazard Installation Regulations” (Notice No. R. 692 of 30 July 2001)
   
   (o) The “Regulations for Hazardous Biological Agents” (Notice No. R.1390 of 27 December 2001).
   
   (p) The “Explosive Regulations” (Notice No. R.109 of 17 February 2003).
   
   (q) The “Construction Regulations” (Notice No. 1010 of 18 July 2003).
   
   (r) The “Diving Regulations” (Notice No. 10 of 11 January 2002).
   
   (s) The “Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Regulations” (Notice No. 307 of 7 March 2003)
    

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