GVK-Siya Zama’s KZN Well being and Security supervisor, Benny Boyce reached a profession milestone when he was named the Grasp Builders Kwa-Zulu Natal’s Security Particular person of the 12 months at their current annual awards.
Boyce’s journey resulting in this award is an inspiring story of dedication, dedication and perception, in addition to religion in his talents by the development firm, GVK-Siya Zama.
Boyce began as a labourer on the firm 15 years in the past when he got here throughout a GVK-Siya Zama mission website workplace in Sea Level, Cape City whereas strolling by way of the realm.
“I used to be desperately in search of any type of work and went to talk to the safety guards. I had not too long ago misplaced my father and was pressured to exit and search for work to supply for my household,” explains Boyce.
As probability would have it, the corporate’s then CEO, Richard Williams, and contracts supervisor, Errol Hosking, noticed Boyce on the safety gate and seeing his eagerness and his humble manner determined to present him a chance on the firm as a basic labourer.
“Through the years, GVK-Siya Zama invested in me, reserving me on numerous coaching programs as scaffolding erector, inspector, and staff chief after which I used to be appointed as a Well being, Security and Surroundings (HSE) consultant on-site,” mentioned Boyce.
His onerous work paid off as he was promoted to Junior HSE Officer and thereafter senior security officer within the group’s Cape enterprise in 2011.
In July 2018, Boyce took one other large leap with a switch and appointment as regional HSE supervisor of the group’s enterprise in KwaZulu-Natal. He has since thrived within the position, which this award bears testomony to.
Boyce says the award means quite a bit to him personally because it recognises his dedication to the sphere and the unorthodox journey his profession has taken. “Additionally it is gratifying to be acknowledged by my friends and business stakeholders for my dedication to well being and security and as a security chief who hopefully evokes others to do the identical,” mentioned Boyce.
The award can also be of significance to GVK-Siya Zama, contemplating a median of two.7 million staff die from occupational accidents and work-related illnesses annually, with a big portion of those related to the development business, an business that, based on COIDA stats, has traditionally failed to guard its staff, says Boyce.
“This award is a recognition of GVK-Siya Zama’s dedication to the security and wellbeing of their workers, enterprise companions and shoppers. Our power lies in our folks, and we attempt to ingrain a tradition of non-public accountability and accountability that goes far past security insurance policies and rules,” mentioned Boyce.
Boyce says that GVK-Siya Zama’s continued funding in him through the years has been one of many important contributors to his success. This funding in Boyce has helped him in his profession and in the direction of a number of formal {qualifications} and accredited coaching certificates in well being and security, along with his newest {qualifications} being a nationwide diploma in Occupational Well being and Security Administration. He additionally not too long ago accomplished his Bachelor of Arts Diploma in Catastrophe and Security Administration.
COVID-19 has additionally caused modifications to well being and security within the sector, with one of many biggest challenges with the ability to stay operational safely and responsibly.
“It has additionally delivered some priceless classes and inspired HSE practitioners at GVK-Siya Zama to change into progressive in our method to well being and security and to focus extra on worker wellness. With COVID-19 being part of our lives for the foreseeable future, our subsequent step is to proceed educating our workers and co-contractors and offering a protected surroundings for everybody,” mentioned Boyce.
Regardless of progress in building Well being and Security, Boyce believes the human issue stays the best danger to initiatives, necessitating steady coaching and abilities improvement.
“Well being and security coaching is a lifelong course of and can’t be restricted to particular duties or actions. It goes past legislative necessities and basic well being and security guidelines. It’s about our folks. Our ethical and moral tasks in the direction of security ought to take desire over merely complying with the principles,” mentioned Boyce.
