SHEQ: Not just a tender tick box

SHEQ, which is the acronym for Safety, Health, Environment and Quality, is a requirement on all government and quasi-government tenders in South Africa. But how many companies are actually compliant and is this really being considered when the tender is adjudicated?

More than just a must-have when submitting a tender, SHEQ is designed to provide peace of mind to the customer. Compliance should mean that the supplying company has proper safety measures in place; that the health and safety of staff have been taken into account, that steps are taken to minimise environmental impact and that the products have a high degree of quality.

Unfortunately, a number of companies are only compliant on paper, and this can have far-reaching repercussions not only for the business, its employees, and the customer, but the country and planet too. For example, non-compliance with the environmental aspect of SHEQ could mean that a supplier is using harmful substances that are banned or restricted in our country or not disposing of potentially hazardous waste in the proper way. Another big problem is companies not recycling their waste to reduce the amount of waste to landfill, which is alarming considering that the amount of plastic waste produced globally could potentially triple by 2060, with around half ending up in landfill and less than a fifth being recycled. Change needs to start with each and every company. No longer can environmental credentials just be window-dressing.

Another example that could have massive ramifications concerns the quality element. If suppliers fail to deliver quality products, this could have knock-on effects for the customer and even the end-user with systems not functioning optimally. To ensure that Tank employees and our clients are compliant with the quality element of SHEQ, we provide training in low/medium voltage and fibre optic jointing and termination methods. This is accredited by the Energy & Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA) and Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICTSETA). It also means compliance with standards such as SANS 10198, SAQA US ID 259187 and NRS 053:200.

Additionally, safeguarding the health and safety of employees is not only a legal obligation, but a moral one too. In South Africa, an average of 214 003 occupational accidents are reported annually[ii], consequences of which can include reduced productivity, poor employee morale and costs to both the company and its clients.

When it comes to adjudicating tenders, government also has a responsibility to make sure that the suppliers they choose are compliant. Audits are therefore crucial to ascertain SHEQ compliance and, if this is lacking, the tender should be rejected.

Customers can rest assured that Tank Industries takes its SHEQ compliance very seriously. We have invested heavily in and developed environmental sustainability programmes to ensure this. In fact, we are audited five times per year to not only ensure that standards are maintained, but constantly improved upon. These audits are conducted internally as well as by Eskom, an insurer, and certification bodies such as the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and DQS (Pty) Ltd. At the end of the day, compliance means that our products are manufactured to the right standard, and that we look after the health and safety of our staff, as well as that of the environment.

While SHEQ is an important component of a tender, it must be enforced. Doing so ultimately creates a better world for us and future generations.