By Eamonn Ryan
The Southern African Development Community Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SADC RAC) association held a workshop in Johannesburg in November. This is Part 4 of a seven-part article.
Margaret Molefe, director for Hazardous Chemicals Management at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), delivered a keynote speech at the SADC RAC interactive workshop. © RACA Journal
David Botha, the executive director of both the South African Qualification and Certification Committee (SAQCC) and the South African Refrigeration Air Conditioning Contractors’ Association (SARACCA), also highlighted the importance of the CoC, which serves as an official certification that a technician is qualified to handle certain tasks in the HVAC&R industry. However, not all technicians are authorised to issue CoCs. Only technicians with the appropriate qualifications, such as those in Category B, are allowed to issue these certificates, which serve as proof that the work has been carried out in compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
For example, the A2 and B-level technicians who are involved in refrigeration installation and maintenance can provide CoCs for smaller systems, such as cold rooms and freezer units. However, A4-level technicians, who are involved in installing air conditioning units, are limited to systems with a cooling capacity of up to 18kW (around 60 000 BTUs). This limit ensures that individuals without the requisite trade certifications are not handling more complex and higher-risk systems.
One of the challenges the industry faces is the need for more specific trade certifications to match the specialised nature of the work. Currently, technicians in South Africa are not required to hold specific certifications for handling refrigerants like CO2 and ammonia, though this is expected to change in the near future. Botha mentioned that the industry is working toward creating specific trade tests for CO2 and ammonia systems, which will streamline the certification process and make it easier to allocate technicians into the appropriate categories.
Botha stressed that technicians who are unable to provide proof of their qualifications, despite years of experience, cannot be classified at the higher levels. This is a significant issue in South Africa, where many workers have extensive practical experience but lack formal qualifications. The certification process ensures that only those who meet the standards of education, training and experience are allowed to handle the more dangerous and environmentally impactful aspects of refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
