90 Noscars and counting

SGB-Cape is unwavering when it comes to health and safety. This is evident from the number of Noscars it has received from Nosa over the years. We chat to the company’s national HSE manager, Thabo Modumaela, about these accolades.

WHICH NOSCAR AWARDS DID SGB-CAPE WIN THIS YEAR? 

We won a total of 18 awards at the 2019–2020 Noscar awards. This includes seven platinum Noscars, seven green Noscars and four international awards. One of our site-based health, safety and environment (HSE) representatives, Hosea Mokadi, also won the HSE representative of the year award. 

This brings SGB-Cape’s total Noscar awards tally to an excellent 90 over the past 11 years. 

WHAT DO THESE AWARDS SIGNIFY?

Noscar awards signify consistency, excellence and commitment, and leave an indelible symbol that testifies to our endeavour to uphold our SHEQ principles – to provide a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, clients and the communities in which we operate. 

HAS THE PANDEMIC HAD ANY EFFECT ON THE WEIGHT THESE ACCOLADES CARRY?

Definitely. If anything, these accolades are a testimony that SGB-Cape’s people and its SHEQ systems can withstand uncertain and difficult times and that, within a short space of time, we were able to equip ourselves with the processes, procedures, protocols and knowledge required to protect ourselves and our clients against the Covid-19 threat. 

This goes to show that the reason why we keep winning Noscar awards annually is not by chance or luck, but by management’s commitment through investing in people and equipping them with the skills and qualifications that enable them to think on their feet and act with agility to respond to any HSE challenge, including the Covid-19 pandemic. 

WHAT AT SGB-CAPE ENSURES THAT THE COMPANY RECEIVES THESE ACCOLADES TIME AND AGAIN? 

Investing in the people and systems that seek to improve HSE as a whole. Management is at the centre of driving the health and safety culture through various HSE initiatives. Personal consultations and engagements with employees on the ground, soliciting their views and suggestions, and implementing them in our SHEQ systems is the winning formula. 

WHAT ADVICE CAN SGB-CAPE GIVE TO OTHER COMPANIES THAT ARE TRYING TO IMPROVE THEIR APPROACH TO HEALTH AND SAFETY? 

Don’t pay lip service – walk the talk, and lead by example. Invest in the development and improvement of the SHEQ in your organisation. Be in touch with the employee on the ground. Do not ever give up. 

WHAT GOALS DOES THE COMPANY HAVE FOR 2021? 

Having launched the ISO 45001:2018 HSE Management System in August 2020, our intention is to immerse ourselves and embrace the new global HSE standard. This is the ultimate global benchmark. 

We intend to increase our Noscar awards collection in 2021 as well. We will not let the pandemic dampen our spirit and deter us from winning our highest prize, which is to achieve the Zero Harm goal. 

ANY CLOSING REMARKS? 

We work in the most high-risk areas and our job is inherently dangerous. Achieving these accolades does not come easy, and for this past 12-month period, we have worked over 10 million man-hours, employed over 5 000 employees and achieved the lowest lost time injury frequency rate by industry standards. We are proud to be part of such a big and a winning team with a common vision.