Media Release: GRDM Prioritises Safety and Compliance with Essential Small Plant Equipment Training for Roads Teams

For immediate release
17 November 2025

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is significantly investing in the safety and operational capacity of its Roads Department personnel by launching the GRDM Use and Maintain Small Plant Training Programme. This essential training is designed to ensure all relevant staff are fully compliant with Construction Regulations and proficient in operating the small plant equipment critical to daily operations.

The program’s core focus is on enhancing skills across the maintenance, reseal, and concrete sections of the Roads Department.

“Safety and competency are non-negotiable, particularly when operating machinery,” said Gert Verwey Manager Maintenance. “By standardising this training, we are not only protecting our valuable staff but also guaranteeing that we meet all regulatory requirements, enabling us to deliver better, safer, and faster service delivery on our road network.”

This critical training initiative ensures full compliance with the current Construction Regulations, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to employee safety, regulatory adherence, and the delivery of high-quality infrastructure.

The training program is essential for all workers who operate small plant equipment and is designed to mitigate operational risks while maximising efficiency across all roadwork disciplines. The comprehensive curriculum is structured around four key areas of competence:

• Identify and Select: to correctly identify and select the appropriate small plant and equipment for specific tasks.
• Prepare for Use: training in the essential pre-operation checks and preparation procedures necessary to ensure equipment is ready and safe.
• Utilise Effectively: skilled and efficient utilisation of the equipment to achieve required roadwork standards.
• Maintain Equipment: in-depth training on basic maintenance and fault-finding to ensure equipment longevity and minimal downtime.

Specific equipment covered in the hands-on and theoretical modules includes:

• Jumping Jacks (Tampers)
• Rollers (various types)
• Bomags (Compactors)
• Pedestrian Rollers
• Grinders
• Electrical Equipment
• Concrete mixers and related apparatus
• Generators

“The Head of department, John Daniels, said. “By investing in this specialised training, we are not only ensuring compliance with the Construction Regulations, but are also empowering our workforce with the skills needed to execute projects safely and to the highest professional standards. Our commitment to worker safety and the integrity of our national road network remains paramount.”

The programme will be completed by the end of November 2025, accommodating approximately 144 learners from various regional teams including Oudtshoorn, George, Ladismith and Riversdale,

The training will be facilitated by Nqobile Mkhize and Richard Fembi form the company South Africa Value Education (SAVE), ensuring expert guidance for all participants across the various sites.

This proactive approach confirms GRDM’s commitment to creating a highly skilled, legally compliant, and safe working environment for all its employees.

ENDS