2. SIMM & SSA Service
Structural Inspection Maintenance Management (SIMM) & Structural Safety Audits (SSA)
Et-SIMM provides a suite of services to support the mining, marine, and industrial sectors with cost-effective asset management controls, which in turn reduces maintenance costs and structural/civil risks. While a SIMM doesn’t certify structural adequacy, it does offer a valuable visual “GENERAL HEALTH CHECK” by a qualified Structural Engineer. The SIMM is an industry standard, providing an objective way to evaluate the condition of steel and concrete, as well as health and safety issues.
The grading system allows asset owners to prioritize their spending and focus on high-priority items over time. The Condition Category and Level of Priority evaluation are based on the Anglo-American standards set out in the AA TS 108 003: SIMM Guideline for plant structures – 2017, which was developed by Dr. Geoff Krige and is maintained by Kurt Waelbers, Lead Asset Integrity Engineer of the Anglo Technical Division (ATD).
Spencer Erling, Education Director of SAISC compiled an easy-to-read article for the South African Institute of Steel Construction defining a SIMM: https://www.saisc.co.za/technical-articles/simm-structural-inspection-and-maintenance-management-of-mining-structures/
Features of this Service
All structural auditors are certified by Anglo-American as SIMM inspectors to conduct visual SIMM audits on-site.
In South Africa, the Mine Health and Safety Act and Regulations as required in Section 5 stipulate that a safe and healthy environment should be maintained:
1) As far as is reasonably practicable, every employer must provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of employees.
The OSH Act is much more explicit concerning structures. In Regulation R 1010 of 18/07/2003 it requires that structures should be regularly inspected which states in Chapter 9’s subclauses:
(4) Any owner of a structure shall ensure that inspections of that structure upon completion are carried out periodically by competent persons to render the structure safe for continued use: Provided that the inspections are carried out at least once every six months for the first two years and thereafter yearly and records of such inspections are kept and made available to an inspector upon request.
(5) Any owner of a structure shall ensure that the structure upon completion is maintained in such a manner that the structure remains safe for continued use and such maintenance records shall be kept and made available to an inspector upon request.
