BIT

Well finally we have moved out training and joined BIT. The Training Department was not easy. One had to apply himself or herself to grasp the concepts and also to improve one's performance evertime.

I would say that training required one to be patient and also understanding because we worked as a group.The level of understanding,interpretation and also the manner we brought it forth was always going to be different. Some people loved training and others did not but the common thing is that all of us benefited from the training department.

Now lets talk about BIT. Well things in the first week started very slowly and I was bored out of skull. During this week we attended a few training session but nothing out of the ordinary. We are used to seeing people training other people and I started seeing some mistakes that were being committed by the trainers but that is ok because they have not gone through the intense training that we went through.

The second week was a bit interesting because we went to do our medicals and the inductions.

We all passed the medicals and that was interesting to see the sought of things that workers have to go through in order to have a job. But it shows commitment by the mine in the health facility that they provide for their workers.

Well BHP Billiton's inductions is much better organized and presented than Murray & Roberts' one that we attended at Melrose Arch when we spent about two weeks on their site working for a constructor.

We started working on the software but that was nothing new caused we had received training on it.

But what I found to be interesting is the software that BHP has relating to Risk Assessment and how it can be combined with our own BBS software to create a hybrid software that covers the safety process in its entirety.

The third week has been interesting in that we have been doing some productive work. We have been compiling and populating the BBS software with critical conditions and task.

This is not difficult rather tedious but necessary for our development and experience. I have to say I have learnt a lot during the past weeks. Our supervisor has been helpful but you must prove yourself to him that you can do the work before he can entrust you with some responsibilities. In this instance I think I have done enough to convince him that I can do the work.

During the remaining weeks my objectives are to learn and take the experience back to the office and look at how we can improve our software,systems and also how we can standardize the terms and descriptions of conditions and tasks throughout .

PRESENTATIONS

Finally, after months months of preparation the moment has arrived. Next week we are having our formal assessments on our presentation skills.
It has not been an easy road but we have persevered and I hope we all do well in this respect.
Reece Khan has been very valuable with his inputs and actually helped us in various ways.
Lots of good things have been happening to the PDP Candidates especially the vote of confidence on our professionalism. It is the truth though, whenever we are given a task the PDP Candidates always give their all.
This week has been very hectic because we had to jostle between the marketing presentation and also preparing our own presentations.
Within the next few weeks we are moving to BIT and that is exciting and also interesting.
On a personal note, I have been studying very hard and I will be submitting two of my assignments and well ahead of the due dates. This is very important for me because it allows me to be free and also to concentrate no my work since we are going to be working away from the office in the next few weeks.

BACK TO WORK

Well the holidays are over and it is time for work. Several thing have occurred in the past three weeks in that we have made great strides with our Health and Safety System.
We have learnt that the HIRA's that we conducted were no adequate and that we have to perform this exercise again. But great lessons were learnt. If I must say attending the HIRA course has greatly improved the way we view hazards and risks.
The most profound thing that i learnt in the course is that corrective measures should terminate the risk totally and should not be a temporary thing.
On a personal level I think my presentation skills are improving.
this is attributed to the fact that I have learnt to calm down and breathing in.
This week we are actually rolling out our Health and Safety System in that we are goin to have our first health and safety meeting.
I will probably chair that meeting.
I think that our value as a group is starting to emerge in that we had a meeting with MR Ben Burger and requested us to assist him in developing future products for the company and this is exciting.
I hope we do well in this exercise.

success at last

Last week we finally presented and what a relief. we finally did it right and I must say the guys were awsome. We were able to cover every angle that the director could think off and that was great. But now the big job lies ahead of us because we have to get the health and safety system up and running. The challenge that i foresee is that we have to make the system so easy to use in that when we leave someone can take over the system run it without any difficulty. Our coordinator is already asking us about time lines and that is excellent because it shows proactiveness on his part.
We have already started with our Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments and this is opening our minds to a new experience because we get to see how this game is played out practically.

On a personal level life is great and the understanding within the group is growing. and that is a positive thing.

observation

Personally it has been a very slow week. We started the week with the Riskmaq1 observations.
I learnt a thing or two but I believe the only way one would find out whether they are ready to present is to the actually present a module. I think that opportunity will come sooner than later in that if the health and safety system gets of the ground IRCA's personell will have to be taken to a safety awareness course and that course will be presented by us the PDP's. the haelth and safety system framework is coming rather slowly than anticipated in that each one of us had their own ideas of how should be layed out. But majority wins in that if the majority agreed on an issue then the losing party will have to abide by the decision of the group.
I guess this time we did more consulting and the ideas that we have actually demonstrates this.
Personnally I hope this time we get it right because we have discussing and arguing our points of view. Some of us argued more than others for our views to be heard and considered. But I conceded my views to allign them with the group.

Interviews

Today has been a very frustrating day relating to the interviews. We thought we were on the right track with the interviews only to be told by the mentors that our question were too wide and too general and that threw us off course. We had go back to the drawing board and redo and compile questions that were specific. This exercise took time and effort.
We are almost done with the policy of our health and safety system. I believe once we have this the plan of action is going to be a simple task.

Marketing the RISKMAQ product

The week started with us returning to Strydom Park to do HIRA that is (Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments). I think that all of us understood the concepts and what needed to be done. Even though it is a small site in comparison to the ones that we have visited before but the non-conformities are all the same. We found that the workers were not wearing hard hats and not wearing safety harnesses when working on heights. Some dangerous sections on site were not barricaded.
Analysing worker's behaviour and their attitudes was the most interesting. It seemed to me that the workers were indifferent about their own safety and their colleagues.
Yesterday we went to an expo relating to safety and if I must say it was interesting. We basically had to market the Riskmaq course.
We had to explain the PDP program and how it is connected to the Riskmaq to the people at the expo.
Most of the people were interested on how you get to part 4 of the Riskmaq where you get your degree with the University if Free State.
IRCA has a lot of work to do in marketing this program.

Working on a construction site

Well, for the past two weeks we have been working for a construction company as labourers and if I must say it is interesting in a way. The experience that one has gained is very helpful in that it gives us the insight of how a labourer thinks and how they do their jobs when their boss is not around. we spent the first week at Melrose Arch and we learnt a lot. We noticed the weakness in some of their safety systems and we where they could be improved. Personally I think Murray and Robert could improve their induction procedure because I do not think it is effective. I think it does not drive the safety point strong enough to be taken seriously by the new workers. Being around a big construction site like Melrose Arch one is not surprised when there is a fatality. the reason why I say this is because of the substandard acts being committed by the workers on site. Even though we do not have a lot of experience in the Health and Safety field but we did notice these substandard acts.
On a personal level I think paving is a hard job to do, not only do you need to be strong but you also need the stamina to keep going.
The people from Earth Civils have been very accommodating and helpful. They even allowed os to interview them for our Riskmaq assignment.
It has not been easy but we are managing.

Reflection time

Looking back at the time that I have already spent at IRCA and the things that I have already learnt is amazing but at the same time surpising.
The PDP program is unique in a sense that one can see his or her progress immediately.
Judging from my own progress in my presentation skills is amazing. If I may say so myself i have improved so much.
The PDP structure is about right and the learning is hard but manageable and I am personally getting used to open book examination.
I think that the practical work that we are about to embark on will be beneficial to our development and progress.
I think that by the end of this program most of us will be ready for senior management.
The reason I say this is that we are currently being taught how to implement systems and that is what management is about.
This is not an easy process because you have to think about all the angles of the problem and try to solve it before it arises.
Great applause should be extended to the developers of this program because they have also built-in some flexibilty in the program.
On a personal note this week went without any drama. We attended a two courses and they were very helpful and insightful.
The fact that we attend so many courses is helpful but it is also challenging to assimilate all that knowledge and apply it at the same time.
Our manager has been super in many ways and he understands the way we think.
It has not been easy but we are getting there.

weekend

We finally did presentation and if I may say we did not do that well. We had our moments but we missed the point of what we were supposed to have done. Some of us the actual presentation went well in that the mistakes that we made on our last presentations we did not repeat them.
The director (Mr Joe Ensilin) gave us a grilling and he showed us why he is one of the best in the business. He showed us our weaknesses and also our strong point. I learnt a lot from that exercise in that you always have to have an answer if you decide to put anything on the slide.
On a personal note on Saturday I went home to Mpumalanga and I took my work laptop with me and when I got back to Johannesburg on Sunday night I discovered that I had taken the wrong laptop with me. So In had to drive back home to fetch my work laptop. On my way back I hit a pothole and damaged the rim and I only got back to Johannesburg around 3 am and i have not slept at all. The nice though is that I am ok AND I made it to work on time.

three weeks from hell

For the past three weeks it have been going from one crisis to another. Three weeks ago I was battling with the furniture shop to deliver some of the funirture that i bought and when they finally did deliver some of the furniture was missing and i am still waiting for them to deliver it next week because they have run out of stock in their warehouse. Last week i had to battle with the panel beaters to fix my car and deliver it to me as they had promised to do so but that did not suffise. Yesterday I finally got my car back BUT my flat was broken into by some unknown individuals.
"THEY SCORED IF I MUST SAY" they took evry gadget that you can think of. they took my brother's new laptop,an ipod and a sony psp.
Hope these next three weeks are kind to me.

the only thing that one can do is to simply smile and enjoy the small pleasant moments that life provides everyday.

weekend time

Well, we wrote the CAP test today and I did not do well at all and that affected my record. I went through my paper and I realized that I have been over studying for this papers in that I was too academic in my approach relating to the work. I went through the questions that we did all through the week and i realized that almost all the questions came from it. the mistakes that i have been making is that i thought that analysis will be required but I found out that it not required. I also think i am getting the hang of this open book approach. this is new to me and I am finding it difficult to adjust quickly to it.
On a personal level I hope i get my car back next week. the panel beaters have been giving me the run around.
I hope once the car comes back i can regain the form that I had the first two weeks ( as i cannot study in the house I can only effectively study in a car.)
I know this seems strange but it works for me.
Our performances are so close and every week the is someone new at the top.
this is good because it keeps the group motivated

I think the group is very strong and it's a credit to the people who chose us.

i have to go now, i am tired.

What a day

Today was a very hard but interesting. We finally did our presentations and it was not easy I must admit. In general I think I did better than yesterday when we were doing the dry runs.
After the dry runs yesterday i was feeling a bit down but because I listened and took advice from the mentors i was able to do well.
The presentation went well, I think that I was technically sound I knew the work and the processes entailed in the work. I think that I could improve by being a bit patient and also by going a bit slowly.
Carel Swart tried to catch me out but I was able to recognise his questions and answer them

The only criticism that I got from Carel is that I was a bit cocky and macho about the work.
He said that I was scaring some of the students from asking questions.

Carel and Wesley did rattle me by constantly asking questions that were not related to the work at hand and they also used tactics to disturb my flow and it did work because I was losing patience.
However, in the end the purpose of the exercise was to teach me how to deal with difficult clients in class.
Overall I was satisfied .

Rainy thursday

Well all the hard work has been done and the only remaining thing is to present the work that we have done.
Everyone worked extremely hard this week and it was demonstrated by the silence that engulfed our work area. The mentors also played a great role in helping us with the task at hand
today we are going to do some dry runs to ascertain where we can improve and also eliminate some unwanted mistakes.
I hope that I have prepared well enough to meet and exceed the standard that has been set.

hard slog

today has been one of those days where one has to grind and focus on the technical aspect of the work. Well my presentation is coming yet very slowly.Professionalism is the order of the day. Once I am finished with the typing , I will start practicing and timing myself so that i could know what to expect and also how to improve.Everyone seems to be busy and also preparing very hard for the presentations on friday.
I hope it goes well

thank God its friday

Thank God it's friday. we have been attending the Riskmaq course non -stop this week and it was hectic. well we met different people from various backgrounds. I think the people from the mining sector were the most interesting because of the stories that they told about the mines and the workers attitude regarding (PPE).

Well on the personal front, This weekend I will be taking it easy and I will be prepering for the presentation next week.
We were informed that we might get some dry runs before we actually present and that is a comforting thing to be granted because it enables us to eliminate possible mistakes.
I think the PDP group is gelling very well insamuch as we give each other opportunities to say their views.
We are all looking forward to registering with the University of the Free State although it stressful some of us are already contemplating the difficulty level that will be presented by the course through the University.
I am confident that we shall all do well.

Today we wrote the MSRM test. I did well again yet I am not satisfied with my performance.
I think the is room for improvement.
Now that this battle is done and over with one has to look to the future and that means preparation for the PRESENTATION and RISKMAQ.

I have to study hard and concentrate in order to do well. Everyone has raised their game and was demonstrated by the fact that the marks were very high.

If we maintain the standard that we have set ourselves then i foresee that we could do well in RISKMAQ1.

this week was very hectic because i had to study for to test and i am glad that this week is over.

this weekend i am going to UNISA to attend to my registration affairs and that is a nightmare.
I guess that is wht you get for procrastinating.

our mentors have been superb and very helpful "i hope this continues inthe future."

presentations

Presentations is the buzz word that is going around. Everyone has decided on the tab that they are going to be presenting on. it seems as if everyone is ready and willing to do the work.
this means that all of us will be working on the weekend. I have decided to do my presentation on tab 4 and I hope to do well.

Gomotso is always doing something on her computer and she is so organized.

hectic day

well today was a very hectic day for me. I went to write my CALCULUS supplementary examination. For those who do not know what calculus is, It is maths in laymans terms.
I hope i did well.
the only difficulty is that i have to play catch up. I know that my colleagues will help me .
On a personal front, last friday I moved into my new place and it is great and i do not have to drive to work.
we have been working hard and trying to improve.

keepin up the standards

last friday for me ended up on a high note. i got the highest mark for the health and safety representantive course. now that i have done this ,i have to maintain the standards of which will not be too difficult because i am motivated.
we all did well because the marks were very close.
it shows that everyone is working hard although no one wants to show it. i guess we dont want to be on the spotlight.
the team building exercise was fun and i enjoyed myself.

the first two days as a pdp employee

even though i have only been here for two days, i can see the level of professionalism is of a very high standard. The work and study material have been arranged in an organized manner. I foresee that the standard that is expected of us is also high. the mentor has also been quick in letting us know what standard he expects from us .
I guess hard work and dedication will be the order of the day.
Today we really did some work and I made my first mistake of which have attempted to ratify.