The South African Fluid Power Association (Safpa) says that its safety training foundation course, which was added to Safpa’s existing training programme four years ago, is being well received by industry stakeholders that use hydraulics components.

Safpa chairperson Eugene Tondolo tells Mining Weekly that the association started offering the course in response to a need for additional education that focused on hydraulics safety.

He says the course aims to provide an introduction to hydraulic hoses and connectors, as well as the safe assembly of hydraulics components. It was initially developed by the association’s UK counterpart, the British Fluid Power Association, and was well received in the UK.

The one-day course has been designed for original-equipment manufacturers, artisans, foremen, supervisors, managers and all personnel involved in the assembly and supply of hydraulics hoses and connectors.

The course is presented by accredited Safpa trainers and industry members who have vast experience and knowledge of the hydraulics industry. The curriculum covers basic hydraulics; health, safety and the environment; hose and connector identification; hose assembly and installation; and hose and connector failure.

“On completion of the course, participants have sufficient knowledge to select hose and hose connectors correctly and safely, as well as the ability to demonstrate the key processes that ensure the safe manufacture of hydraulics hoses,” Tondolo adds.

Safpa believes that the safety course will raise the industry’s safety standards, which will subsequently lead to higher levels of compliance with safety standards and hose-assembly specifications.

“The recent plethora of new safety standards issued both locally and internationally in respect of the mining, mechanical and manufacturing industries is commendable – in theory. “However, applying them in practice is another story . . . which is why we view the course as . . . essential,” concludes Tondolo.