In South Africa, 47 percent of plumbing components do not comply with national regulations due to the uncontrolled import and sale of non-compliant fittings, according to a University of Johannesburg researcher.
Kaluka Paul Lobanga, a multidisciplinary engineer at the university, found that another factor contributing to the problem is the skills shortage and lack of knowledge in South Africa’s plumbing industry: Many “plumbers” have not been trained and employ unskilled labour. As part of his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Johannesburg, Lobanga conducted a two-year study on the plumbing system in South Africa in 2007 and 2008.
The study found that poor quality imported products also affect the local market negatively. Because of their low prices, non-compliant plumbing components flood the market and local manufacturers suffer from reduced sales, low profit and difficulty in retaining local employment. Locally manufactured products are more expensive because it is more costly to produce high quality products and include features required to comply with South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) standards.
In order to solve the problem of non-compliance, water authorities will need to implement major enforcement of legislation, water inspection policies and perhaps even create an inspection company. Other solutions would include improved training of existing ‘plumbers’ and their staff. Tighter controls over imported products will also need to be introduced.
Lobanga presented his findings, “The Extent and Impact of Non-Compliant Plumbing Fittings in South Africa,” on 9 June 2009 during WaterTec Africa, the International Water Technology Exhibition and Conference
See also:
KP Lobanga, K.P., Van Zyl, J.E. and Ilemobade, A.A. (2009). The extent of non-compliant plumbing components used in South Africa. Water SA ; vol. 35, no. 2 ; p. 175-182
Source: WaterTech Online, 09 Jun 2009 ; WaterWorld
3 responses so far ↓
South Africa: non-compliant plumbing components « WASH news Africa | H2O Report // July 15, 2009 at 4:53 pm |
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Suzanne Gilly // July 16, 2009 at 12:39 am |
When you use the phrase “labor shortage” or “skills shortage” you’re speaking in a sentence fragment. What you actually mean to say is: “There is a labor shortage at the salary level I’m willing to pay.” That statement is the correct phrase; the complete sentence, the intellectually honest statement.
If you start raising your wages and improving working conditions, and continue to do so, you’ll solve your “shortage” and will have people lining up around the block to work for you even if you need to have huge piles of steaming manure hand-scooped on a blazing summer afternoon.
Re: Shortage due to retirees: With the majority of retirement accounts down about 50% or more, people entering retirement age are being forced to work well into their sunset years. So, you won’t be getting a worker shortage anytime soon due to retirees exiting the workforce.
Okay, fine. Some specialized jobs require training and/or certification, again, raise your wages and improve benefits! You’ll incentivize people to self-fund their education so that they can enter the industry in a work-ready state. The attractive wages, working conditions and career prospects of technology during the 1980’s and 1990’s was a prime example of people’s willingness to fund their own education.
Plumbing Courses // December 2, 2009 at 2:35 pm |
Suzanne is spot on, you cannot expect quality if you dont pay for it. Is greed and explotation the main barrier stopping the improvment of standards?