ISO 3834 the Answer for Mining Suppliers seeking World Class Recognition & Revenue

In a development that looks set to become a long-term requirement, there is a move in the South African mining industry to specify that welding fabricators and associated suppliers must obtain ISO3834 welding certification to ensure the quality and safety of the products and services that they supply.

This is a welcome and overdue development given that suppliers to a variety of other safety-critical sectors – including the power, petrochemical and rail industries – have all moved to mandatory ISO 3834 requirements for companies seeking to obtain contracts with them.

Health & Safety seizes the day

Renewed attention on this form of endorsement stems from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic which has brought quality requirements into far sharper focus with a newfound appreciation for the importance of these core facets of manufacture and production and the need to ensure that mining personnel and products are at the correct level.

This is vital given that in terms of current mining health and safety regulations if, for example, there is a safety incident in a mine due to a weld defect, the mine can most certainly be held liable.

Cost Savings

In addition, current global and local financial constraints have seen a move towards cost savings and welding is one of the key areas where producers have been able to initiate cost savings.

This is because the use of ISO-compliant standards and procedures results in an improvement in quality with fewer failures and less downtime and overall lost production revenue.

The benefit for ISO 3834 certified fabricators and mining suppliers, is that they operate at a globally recognised level which in turn increases their new business opportunities in a far broader range of markets.

In addition, ISO 3834 is an excellent way to develop start-ups by ensuring their quality management is up to scratch and they can fabricate at a higher level for larger, better paying clients.

An unbiased, objective and highly experienced partner

Overall, SAIW Certification can draw from the collective training and technical expertise of the broader Southern African Institute of Welding in which it operates. The SAIW has been in existence since 1948 as a founder member of the International Institute of Welding (IIW) and specialises in a variety of welding and NDT related services.

SAIW Certification received its first ISO 3834 accreditation in 2008 through the International Institute of Welding (IIW) and is home to more than a century of collective wisdom and experience. It’s now the only ISO 3834 certification body recognised by the International Institute of Welding (IIW) as an Authorised Nominated Body for Company Certification (ANBCC) in South Africa.

Given its role as the custodian of ISO 3834 certification in South Africa, it remains 100% committed to being an unbiased, objective and balanced partner of choice for our clients’ ISO 3834 requirements and is fully certified for the latest revision of ISO 3834 (2021).

This enables it to not only provide certification of personnel and processes, but it can also endorse mine-based training centres on the mine to allow them to progress to the level where they can get to train their personnel.

Easing the financial burden of ISO3834 certification

To assist clients to maintain their ISO 3834 Certification requirements SAIW Certification has instituted several market-related, payment plans to ease the financial burden companies face when keeping up with the annual requirements of ISO 3834 certification.

For more information or a FREE company ISO 3834 information visit please contact ISO3834@saiw.co.za.