The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying under the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), and the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), recently hosted a Public Lecture on Construction Health and Safety at the DUT Ritson Campus Hall.
Due to an increasing number of collapsing buildings and some being destroyed immediately after being built because of poor designs and poor workmanship and inferior material usage, DUT took it upon themselves to host a public lecture to help in strengthening and re-enforcing policies and regulations that need to be followed in terms of doing due diligence when it comes to construction health and safety.
Professor Molusiwa Ramabodu, HOD: Construction Management and Quantity Surveying at DUT opened and welcomed the attendees. Prof Ramabodu acknowledged industry officials, dignitaries from the public sector and colleagues from other universities. He also highlighted the importance of the session, as the University is also under heavy construction activities.
“This lecture will cover issues around construction health and safety. Particularly we would like to create an awareness on construction activities on how they impact the environment and how they impact our lives. You might be aware that within DUT, there is a lot of construction activities that is also taking place, Perhaps, this type of session is suitable for us to engage and understand that health and safety is a matter of importance,” said Prof Ramabodu.
With high concerns in terms of accidents and safety hazards happening during construction activities, DUT invited everyone who has been in the construction industry for a long time to give guidance, pointers, protocol and their expertise on how to avoid certain situation where construction is concerned and invited students since they will be the one’s running these projects in future.
Deputy Director General (DDG) at the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Livhuwani Ndou unpacked the purpose of the lecture and shared the message of support on behalf of Director General: Mr Sifiso Mdakane, who could not join the session due to other commitments.
“In terms of developing the policy initiative, there is a socio-economic impact assessment that must be conducted. And when you conduct that socio-economic impact assessment, you need to consult and follow all stages of consultations. In our first stages, we have identified about three institutions of higher learning which is the University of Cape Town, Durban University of Technology and Walter Sisulu University. This is the second lecture that we are discussing this new policy initiative that the director general has directed to say, the Department of Works and Infrastructure should work on,” said Mr Ndou.
Mr Nischolan Pillay: Architecture Lecturer at DUT covered the main gist of the lecture, which was about introducing virtual reality for health and safety in construction and in a built environment, to give people the feel and reality of construction by showing them a real time moment of how the construction world is all about from safety training, ability to master protocols, risk visualization and long-term cost-effectiveness.
Amongst other speakers were, Mr Riaz Suleman, Lecture: Civil Engineering, Dr Siphiwo Gogo: Lecturer in Construction and safety Management at the University of Johannesburg and Mr Lofuno Ratsiku who is the current president of the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Profession (SACPCMP).
In closing, Chief Executive Officer: Construction Industry Development Board, Mr Bongani Dladla shared words of appreciation to all guests and students.
“I would like to extend our heartful gratitude to the Durban University of Technology for hosting such a wonderful event and inviting ourselves, Department of Work and Infrastructure (DPWI), Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), and the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) to be part of such an important occasion and discussion. I would also like to commend DUT students for participating, as they are the future leaders of this industry,” he concluded.
Pictured: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment staff members and guest speakers at the Construction Health and Safety public lecture.
Photographer: Multimedia
Thubelihle Dumakude/Patience Makhaye
