Construction World January 2015

ROADS AND BRIDGES

Project information

• Project start date: February 2011 • Project end date: October 2014 • Client: Government of Swaziland • Main contractor: Sadeem al Kuwait/Inyatsi Joint Venture

• Principal agent: Government of Swaziland • Project manager: Sadeem al Kuwait/Inyatsi JV • Project value: R498-million

ACCESS ROAD

ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System has been a strategic move with an aim to standardise the manner in which the company operates and controls activities affecting quality, thereby saving time and money while also meeting customer require- ments. The project was running for a year before Inyatsi began the ISO Certification process. The site was chosen as the ‘guinea pig’ for the system implementation because of its size and complexity. The team’s dedica- tion, commitment and contribution resulted in the system that is now used throughout the group. Environmental and health impact consideration The Mbadlana access road to KMIII project is committed to reducing the impact of the construction works on the environment. A full-time safety and environmental officer is assigned on site. He assesses all risks on environmental and safety. As a result IC has endeavored to ensure preservation of any indigenous trees and streams on site during construction operations in order to minimise any destruction to the natural environment. During daily operations on site certain measures are continuously undertaken to minimise effects on both the environment and health of employees and local residents. All these systems put in place are progressive and their effectiveness validated on a monthly basis by site management. Spot audits and internal audits by senior HSE Officer are done randomly to ensure that we still conform to NOSA status. Being a road construction site, extensive use of local natural resources like the rivers, dams, borrow pits, and quarries is made. As such resource maintenance and conser-

vation is a major objective in order to ensure that the local rural community continues using these resources even after opera- tions have ceased and the project has been handed over. Safety In 2014 to date (August), the site has worked an average of 1 538 065 hours with a total of 3604238 working staff achieving an LTIFR Ratio of 0.78. For a site of this magnitude with an LTIFR Ratio of 0.78 all, staff and working personnel should be congratu- lated. The site provided first aid training as well as SHE representative training to Inyatsi employees and made sure that all subcontractors comply and maintain Health & Safety construction regulations and SHE training. A health and safety audit was conducted for main the contractor, as well as all subcontractors on a monthly basis. On 20 June 2014 the Inyatsi Group successfully completed the NOSA 5 star inte- grated audit and achieved 4 platinum stars. Corporate social investment In line with Inyatsi’s policy to empower and grow small contractors in Swaziland, an advertisement was placed in the Swazi Times calling for small Swazi-based compa- nies to work as subcontractors. There were numerous applications. Inyatsi and their partners proudly report that more than 30 Swazi companies have been used as subcon- tractors. Four of these companies, based in the area of the contract, were created, with the help of IC, specifically for the contract. The subcontractors were also supplied with materials of the highest quality to ensure that their work met the high stand- ards of the project.

The Ministry of Public Works and Trans- port also had the foresight to design this project in such a way that structures used in the construction phase would continue to benefit the community in the future. Anexcellent exampleof this canbe seen in the provision of water for the contract. Instead of transporting water, three boreholes were drilled along the contract corridor. The local communities will continue to have an acces- sible source of water in the future. In addi- tion, earth dams were built to store water for the project, which now provide drinking water for livestock in the area. A positive working environment is essential to the success of a project such as this. Inyatsi Construction established a good relationship with the local community by assisting in community activities where- ever possible. The joint project donated soccer balls, graded several soccer fields and assisted at several rural funerals by providing water and the use of a TLB. As part of Inyatsi’s nationwide campaign, blankets were given to the aged. Inyatsi Construction is committed to uplifting and improving the communi- ties and surrounding environments on all contracts. Local residents were employed wherever possible and Inyatsi required all subcontractors to do the same. As a result, 60% of the people employed on this contract were from the vicinity of the contract. These people not only received wages, but were also trained and they have acquired skills that stand them in good stead to be re-em- ployed when developments commence in the surrounding areas. More than 20 local residents were trained and certified as scaf- fold erectors and carpenters.

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD JANUARY 2015