NIC Instruments & Engineering (Pty) Ltd: February 2013

BLOG

You can contribute to the Blog and have your Voice / Opinions and Articles read by the staff of NIC -

Please submit your stories, photos, articles and news you think we could add to the Newsletter / Blog.

It can be work related, personal achievements, jokes, quotes etc.

Kind regards,

Claudette

Safety

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF SAFETY

LEARN the safe way to do your job before you start.

THINK safety, and ACT safely at all times.

OBEY safety rules and regulations, they are for your protection.

WEAR proper clothing and protective equipment.

CONDUCT yourself properly at all times, horseplay is not permitted.

OPERATE only the equipment you are authorised and trained to use.

INSPECT tools and equipment before use to ensure they are safe to use.

ADVISE your supervisor immediately of unsafe practices.

REPORT any injury to you supervisor immediately.

SUPPORT your safety program and take part actively in safety meetings.

QMS Training

- This is the height of dedication -

The UG2 staff Lourens de Beer (Site Admin), Terrick Wells (Safety) and Hector Gumede (QC) sit and complete their tests while we wait for access at the Lonmin Smelter.

Toolbox Talk - Head Office

Mervin Willemse (SHE Administrator - Head Office) on 22/02/2013 discussed what to do when you are in a car accident and how to deal with the situation

- Very Informative -

Cape Epic - Clayton Duckworth

We have pretty amazing people working within NIC - Clayton we wish you the best of luck with the Cape Epic and in raising funds for this amazing cause

Congratulations - Dian Nel

CONGRATULATIONS

Dian (Projects Manager – Head Office) & Mariska Nel on the birt of their first child on Thursday 21 February 2013.

They have been blessed with a son named Adrian Nel

We are wishing you all the best for this new adventure!

(Proud dad and son)

This week, I would like to encourage you to fully utilise your talents.

Optimization is like administrative skills and attitudes on steroids (in a good way). Optimization means to enhance the effectiveness of something; to make something function at its best.

How many times in the past 15 years have you updated you? How many enhancements have you made to yourself? 1? 5? 15? Are you constantly optimizing you? I know far too many assistants who have been in the administrative profession for 20+ years and have hardly changed. If this is you, it's time to wake up! You are not being all you are capable of being. We are all here to become better ... to contribute to the greater good ... we are not designed to be stagnant, vanilla, boring or lazy.

For those new to the profession ... great! You are young enough or novice enough to establish 'success' behaviours. You are like the seed of a tree that is newly planted. How you grow ... how tall you grow ... how strong you grow ... is up to you. Make sure you stay away from bad soil. Don't be influenced by people who might be negative about the office profession. This profession is fabulous and rewarding. It is interesting, challenging, fun and offers you great opportunities. Make sure you fertilize your thinking so you can grow and then occasionally apply 'booster fertilizer' (this is turbo-charged fertilizer) - meaning OPTIMIZE yourself and everything you do.

When you fully utilize all your talents and capacities, your leader will function at his or her best because they will be able to focus on the work they do that brings value to the company and impacts the bottom line. And one of the greatest gifts to yourself is that you will be a more joyous and fulfilled individual which will spread to other aspects of your life.

You need to embrace the idea of 'optimization' to be successful in the future and to illuminate your career. Are you moving yourself to your very best potential? Are you fully engaged? Do you push through difficult tasks and assignments that you normally don't like? Have you booked training this year that advance your skills?

Congratulations - Lucinda Greyling

Congratulations!

Lucinda (Reynierse) from Kusile married Nicky Greyling on Saturday 09 February 2013 – On their 6 year anniversary at the stunning Meloti Valley Private Game Lodge.

We are wishing you a wonderfully blessed married life!

Best Advice!

When in Doubt, Communicate!
You may remember being told as a child, "Keep quiet!" "Children should be seen, not heard," and "You talk too much." You were a "good" kid if you kept quiet. However, being quiet when you are little causes big problems later in life.

As an adult, you may have been punished for communicating. For example, if you admit you committed a crime and are sorry about it, no one cares. You still go to jail. If you honestly tell your spouse you are thinking about an affair, your marriage suffers if your spouse is not very understanding. If you tell someone you feel a little crazy, who knows what might happen. So you learn to keep your mouth shut.

However, businesses fail when managers do not talk to employees or employees do not talk to customers. Everyone mistakenly believes telepathy is working. "I thought you knew I was unhappy with your performance." "You should have known I was overworked."

Marriages are ruined by poor communication. Rather than openly discuss sex, money, body problems or whatever, couples hint about their concerns or simply say nothing. But without support and understanding from your primary teammate, you do not go as far. In fact, a bad marriage can ruin everything in your life. Both parties in a successful marriage are able to give and receive communication from their spouse on any subject.

Life is miserable if you have no one to openly communicate with. Friendships are based on communication. The lack of friends or a spouse to communicate with often leads to mental problems.

So the first communication skill you need is to get out there and talk.

Unfortunately, on some topics, you’ve learned to watch what you say, to keep it under your hat, to zip it up.

"So that is the basic lesson that anybody learns in this universe. They learn to keep their mouth shut, and it’s the wrong lesson. When in doubt, talk. When in doubt, communicate." — L. Ron Hubbard

Found this article and thought it is so relevant to our staff - if you have been with NIC for years or days - COMMUNICATION IS KEY TO SUCCESS!
Source: http://www.tipsforsuccess.org/communicate.htm

Whenever you have doubts about something, COMMUNICATE! Talk, talk, talk until the problem resolves. When you feel stress, disagreement or resistance between you and someone near you, the wrong thing to do is ignore the problem. Instead, start communicating.

When you know you should say something, say it! For example, an employee knows another employee is embezzling money and so says something to the employee and/or boss. A doctor knows he must talk to a patient about the patient’s rude behavior to the office staff. An employer knows she must discuss poor performance issues with some employees.

Take the bull by the horns. Move ahead in life. Spit it out.

If you’re worried about the consequences of saying something, you can ask first. Examples:

"Lisa, I want to say something about your driving to help keep you out of accidents, but I don’t want to upset you. Can I tell you what I think or should I keep my mouth shut?"

"Boss, should I tell you if I think you are giving me bad advice?"

"John, our marriage means so much to me I don’t want to say anything that would jeopardize it. But I have done something wrong and I’m sorry I did it. I think it would be good for our relationship if I told you. Don’t you think it’s best if we are 100% honest with each other?"

"Can you listen to something unfortunate I have to say and remain calm? Are you ready?"

In the long run, you are always better off by communicating. Take responsibility and talk. Staying silent solves nothing.

SAFETY POSTER

Rape Awareness

Rape Awareness
Awareness and education are the most effective and meaningful ways to prevent rape. The number of forcible rapes will decrease only when women realize that rape can happen to them and when men understand what constitutes rape. The assailant may view the lack of awareness on the part of the victim as inviting, coercive behavior. (Only two out of ten rapes are reported).
We want to establish a complete and meaningful rape awareness program by utilizing female officers; caring for rape victims; providing counseling services for victims; providing additional training for investigators; emphasizing community involvement through the Campus Watch, providing escorts; and offering guidelines for self-protection.
Remember - in the following safety guidelines, the main emphasis is focused on the concept of "divert and flee," and stressing the importance of common sense.

Acquaintance Rape
Acquaintance rape is forced sexual intercourse by someone the victim knows. The perpetrator gains the victim's trust, then violates the victim's personal space (i.e. a hand on thigh, a hug, a kiss). If the victim does not react negatively and does not sense potential danger, the victim may be viewed as an "easy" target.
The couple end up in a secluded place, usually with loud music and alcohol then the perpetrator rapes the victim.

Warning Signals
Be aware of men who force you to use intoxicating substances.
Be aware of men who ignore your requests, and don't listen to you when you talk.

Don't trust acquaintances too quickly.

As soon as you sense an uncomfortable or dangerous situation, get to a safe place.

Preventive Measures
Establish good communication in relationships. Use alcohol responsibly. Do not leave your drinks unattended.
Be assertive. Say NO when you mean NO.
Be aware of your non-verbal signals.
Respect others' rights. If yours are violated, state your objection.
Trust your instincts and look for the warning signals.
Understand that someone you admire may force you to have sex with him.
Be prepared to defend yourself.

Ways to Avoid Rape in Social Situation

Do not accept a ride from someone you have just met, no matter how nice he may seem.
Sex-role stereotypes of passivity, submissiveness and coyness are dangerous and can create a climate for sexual aggression.

Believe in your right to express your feelings and learn to do so assertively.

Introduce the person you are leaving with to a friend.
Double date or "Dutch" date.
Take an active part in controlling and making decisions during the date.

Thought for the Week

Valentine Day

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Internal Audit Process

Here is the Audit Process Simplified;

Internal Audits

Internal Audits are starting within NIC on our sites, this is a good indication that the sites are willing and commited to the CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT within the Scope of Work.

The Audit Team Currently is revising all the Audit Documentation;
www.nicinternal.co.za

SP 17 Internal Audit Standard Procedure
FLOW 021 Internal Audit Flowchart
ADM 030 QA and Quality Audit Findings

The Audit Team;

Leonard Momberg (QMS - QA)
Claudette Crouch (QMS-QA)
Deven Guptar (QA-QC)
Ruan Kriek (Safety)

Monday 11 February

LONMIN SMELTER

Wednesday 13 February

MINPRO

Monday 18 February

SASOLBURG FOSTER WHEELER / RUSTENBURG

Friday 22 February

HEAD OFFICE – DOCUMENT CONTROL

Tuesday 26 February

SECUNDA OFFICE

Thursday 28 February

MPUMALANGA AREA (KENDAL SITE OFFICE)

Training

Kusile had some more staff attend the SHE Representative Training - Well done to the team.

SAFETY POSTER

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Reminder

VALENTINE’s DAY IS AROUND THE CORNER!!!

GET TO KNOW

Getting to know Charmaine Buttrick (Personal Assistant to Construction Managing Director) this week you will learn she loves rock, pop music and doenst like that she can't stick to her decisions. See the quiz below;

What kind of music do you listen to?
Everything from Rock of the 70’s to Pop of 00’s

What is your dream car?
Not really into cars, but if I had to choose, it would be a Jaguar.

What’s your biggest pet peeve / dislike?
My inability to be consistent and stick to my decisions.

Do you have any pets?
Yes! I have a 3 Dogs, 7 Chickens, 2 Turkeys, 22 Ducks, 1 duckling, 2 tortoises and a Goose!

If you could paint this office any color you wanted to, what would it be?
I’d paint murals on every wall.

Do you prefer white, dark or milk chocolate?
Milk

Do you have a favorite animal?
Yes, my sons!

Where would you choose to live: by the ocean, in the mountains or in the woods?
Mountains with Woods, by the Ocean! heheh

What is the 1 thing / achievement in this world you are most proud of?
My family! My husband and I are still in love with each other and our boys are so unique! I am looking forward to their future, as well as ours.

Do you have any hobbies?
I do makeup shoots for photographers. I do nails. I paint and mosaic (when I get the time).

What’s your favorite cartoon character?
Bugs Bunny (he’s so mean)

What was your favorite TV Show?
QI

Where were you during [NIC’s Inception in 1986]
I was in Standard Seven at Wordsworth High School. I was really good at Art and Modern Dancing. I was a rebel and had a problem with authority (still do I think). I was so skinny my Mom made me drink ½ litre of milk a day.

What other languages other than English do you know?
I am fluent in “Nonsense” and have a good grasp of “Body Language”. ;)

Have you ever won anything? What was it?
I win lots of stuff. Most recently I won a full day at the Cradle Health Spa. Was so so SO amazing.

What’s your favorite fruit/vegetable/food?
Sushi!

What’s your Least favorite fruit/vegetable / food?
Raisins and Beetroot

If you could be on any TV game show, which one would it be?
QI

What’s your favorite color?
Blue – every shade of blue!

What’s a fear you’re proud to have overcome?
I used to stutter. While that itself is not a fear, it brought on an absolute terror of having to answer or talk on the phone or speak in front of people! It got so bad that my sister had to make all my calls for me! Even the social ones (true story)!
Now, I love speaking (on or off the phone).

Which sports team(s) do you support?
The underdog! And any team that someone else does not support (just for laughs).

What was the last thing you heard or saw which made you laugh out loud?
“Don’t think of yourself as an ugly person. Think of yourself as a beautiful monkey.”

Have you ever met anybody famous? Do you have any photos (if you have photos please submit them)?
James Earl Jones (on the set of Cry the Beloved Country)
I saw Ryk Neethling once on the platform of the Gautrain *swoon*

If you had just 1 box for all of your stuff, what would you put in it?
My children and husband! They are “all my stuff”! Oh, hang on, and my makeup!

If you could go back in time to any era, which would it be?
Victorian.

Which superhuman power do you wish you had?
I wish I could fly.

Are you right or left handed?
Right handed to write with. Ambidextrous when doing makeup or art.

What did you want to be (career) as a kid?
A Pathologist! (I’ve become a real wimp since then)

Birthday (Day and Month)
27 September

If you won R2 Million what would you do with it?
Pay off debt and houses, finish fixing up my house!! Invest a little and take my family away for a holiday to the sea.

OHS ACT

The Blog will be adding a section to help us all understand the OHS (Occupation Health and Safety Act)

Occupational Health and Safety Act (No. 85 of 1993 )

14. General duties of employees at work

Every employee shall at work-
(a) take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions;

(b) as regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person by this Act, co-operate with such employer or person to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with;
(c) carry out any lawful order given to him, and obey the health and safety rules and procedures laid down by his employer or by anyone authorized thereto by his employer, in the interest of health or safety;

(d) if any situation which is unsafe or unhealthy comes to his attention, as soon as practicable report such situation to his employer or to the health and safety representative for his workplace or section thereof, as the case may be, who shall report it to the employer; and if he is involved in any incident which may affect his health or which has caused an injury to himself, report such incident to his employer or to anyone authorized thereto by the employer, or to his health and safety representative, as soon as practicable but not later than the end of the particular shift during which the incident occurred, unless the circumstances were such that the reporting of the incident was not possible, in which case he shall report the incident as soon as practicable thereafter.