Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
    Latest:
    • Facilities Management Expo exhibitors ramp up plans for 2022 show
    • DRC Mining Community Prepares for June Big Bash in Lubumbashi as DRC Mining Week Returns
    • GIADEC Managing Ghana’s Aluminium Value Chain
    • Metso Outotec to deliver copper electrowinning technology to Africa
    • Telecel Group Announces the Acquisition of Mattel Mauritania
    • There is a new industry standard in compressed air efficiency – Atlas Copco’s GA 22 to 37 VSDs
    • Dubai WoodShow 2022 set to shine with impressive line-up of agenda, exhibitors, brands and products
    • Pix4D Germany wins a competitive tender for Deutsche Bahn to monitor railway infrastructure maintenance and construction in Germany.
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Construction News
    Advertise
    • Home
    • Latest News
      1. Construction
      2. Green Building
      3. Infrastructure
      4. Materials & Equipment
      5. Property
      Featured
      May 24, 20220

      DRC Mining Community Prepares for June Big Bash in Lubumbashi as DRC Mining Week Returns

      Recent
      May 26, 2022

      Facilities Management Expo exhibitors ramp up plans for 2022 show

      May 24, 2022

      DRC Mining Community Prepares for June Big Bash in Lubumbashi as DRC Mining Week Returns

      May 5, 2022

      Metso Outotec to deliver copper electrowinning technology to Africa

    • E-Magazine
    • Events
    • Contact
    Construction News
    You are at:Home»Latest News»Construction»From humble labourer to Safety Person of the Year in KZN

    From humble labourer to Safety Person of the Year in KZN

    0
    By Evans Mumba on November 5, 2021 Construction, Latest News, News

    GVK-Siya Zama’s KZN Health and Safety manager, Benny Boyce reached a career milestone when he was named the Master Builders Kwa-Zulu Natal’s Safety Person of the year at their recent annual awards.

    Boyce’s journey leading to this award is an inspiring story of dedication, commitment and belief, as well as faith in his abilities by the construction company, GVK-Siya Zama.

    Boyce started as a labourer at the company 15 years ago when he came across a GVK-Siya Zama project site office in Sea Point, Cape Town while walking through the area.

    “I was desperately looking for any kind of work and went to speak to the security guards. I had recently lost my father and was forced to go out and look for work to provide for my family,” explains Boyce.

    As chance would have it, the company’s then CEO, Richard Williams, and contracts manager, Errol Hosking, saw Boyce at the security gate and seeing his eagerness and his humble demeanour decided to give him an opportunity at the company as a general labourer.

    “Over the years, GVK-Siya Zama invested in me, booking me on various training courses as scaffolding erector, inspector, and team leader after which I was appointed as a Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) representative on-site,” said Boyce.

    His hard work paid off as he was promoted to Junior HSE Officer and thereafter senior safety officer in the group’s Cape business in 2011.

    In July 2018, Boyce took another big leap with a transfer and appointment as regional HSE manager of the group’s business in KwaZulu-Natal. He has since thrived in the role, which this award bears testament to.

    Boyce says the award means a lot to him personally as it recognises his commitment to the field and the unorthodox journey his career has taken. “It is also gratifying to be acknowledged by my peers and industry stakeholders for my commitment to health and safety and as a safety leader who hopefully inspires others to do the same,” said Boyce.

    The award is also of significance to GVK-Siya Zama, considering an average of 2.7 million workers die from occupational accidents and work-related diseases each year, with a large portion of these associated with the construction industry, an industry that, according to COIDA stats, has historically failed to protect its workers, says Boyce.

    “This award is a recognition of GVK-Siya Zama’s commitment to the safety and wellbeing of their employees, business partners and clients. Our strength lies in our people, and we strive to ingrain a culture of personal responsibility and accountability that goes far beyond safety policies and regulations,” said Boyce.

    Boyce says that GVK-Siya Zama’s continued investment in him over the years has been one of the main contributors to his success. This investment in Boyce has helped him in his career and towards several formal qualifications and accredited training certificates in health and safety, with his latest qualifications being a national diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management. He also recently completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Disaster and Safety Management.

    COVID-19 has also brought about changes to health and safety in the sector, with one of the greatest challenges being able to remain operational safely and responsibly.

    “It has also delivered some valuable lessons and encouraged HSE practitioners at GVK-Siya Zama to become innovative in our approach to health and safety and to focus more on employee wellness. With COVID-19 being a part of our lives for the foreseeable future, our next step is to continue educating our employees and co-contractors and providing a safe environment for everyone,” said Boyce.

    Despite progress in construction Health and Safety, Boyce believes the human factor remains the greatest risk to projects, necessitating continuous training and skills development.

    “Health and safety training is a lifelong process and cannot be limited to specific tasks or activities. It goes beyond legislative requirements and general health and safety rules. It is about our people. Our moral and ethical responsibilities towards safety should take preference over merely complying with the rules,” said Boyce.

     

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleAutodesk announces 2022 Civil 3D & InfraWorks release
    Next Article ‘Data presented by customs are incorrect and not complete’

    Related Posts

    Facilities Management Expo exhibitors ramp up plans for 2022 show

    DRC Mining Community Prepares for June Big Bash in Lubumbashi as DRC Mining Week Returns

    GIADEC Managing Ghana’s Aluminium Value Chain

    • Popular
    • Recent
    • Top Reviews
    May 26, 2022

    Facilities Management Expo exhibitors ramp up plans for 2022 show

    May 25, 2017

    Atlas Copco’s sale of Road Construction Equipment leads to establishment of Dynapac SA

    May 25, 2017

    Growthpoint shows its mettle with R70-million development for steel business Maxishare

    January – March 2021
    January – March 2021
    Categories
    • Africa
    • Business
    • Construction
    • Editors Pick
    • Features
    • Green Building
    • Infrastructure
    • International
    • Latest News
    • Materials & Equipment
    • News
    • Press
    • Press Release
    • Property
    • Technology
    Editors Pick
    May 26, 2022

    Facilities Management Expo exhibitors ramp up plans for 2022 show

    April 13, 2022

    Telecel Group Announces the Acquisition of Mattel Mauritania

    March 10, 2022

    Pix4D Germany wins a competitive tender for Deutsche Bahn to monitor railway infrastructure maintenance and construction in Germany.

    February 11, 2022

    South Africa’s Macsteel unveils foundation to boost construction industry

    About

    Construction News Magazine is a prime source of news in the Construction Industry in South Africa. The publication primarily targets the four major sectors within the built industry: Architecture, Construction, Green industry and Interior design.

    Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn
    Popular Posts
    May 26, 2022

    Facilities Management Expo exhibitors ramp up plans for 2022 show

    May 25, 2017

    Atlas Copco’s sale of Road Construction Equipment leads to establishment of Dynapac SA

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest news.

    © 2022 Construction News | Designed by: NES Africa.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.