Tender Summary: Fall Protection Planning Services

Objectives

The primary objective is to appoint a highly qualified service provider to deliver comprehensive fall protection planning and implementation services across Necsa’s facilities over a 36-month period. The contract aims to ensure zero harm during decommissioning projects by establishing robust safety frameworks, systematically mitigating work-at-height risks, and fostering a proactive safety culture through targeted training, supervision, and regulatory compliance.

Scope of Work

The successful bidder will provide end-to-end fall protection planning tailored to ongoing decommissioning projects. Core responsibilities include:

• Conducting detailed risk assessments and on-site hazard identification surveys for all work-at-height activities.
• Developing, implementing, and maintaining site-specific Fall Protection Plans (FPPs), complete with hazard registers, control measures, and equipment specifications.
• Engineering design, certification, and specification of anchor points, lifeline systems, guardrails, roof edge protection, scaffolding, and tool lanyards.
• Drafting practical, site-specific rescue plans and detailed method statements for identified tasks.
• Reviewing existing fall protection and access systems against national standards and recommending corrective actions.
• Delivering structured, competency-based training and practical supervision to Necsa personnel regarding safe working at heights.

All services must align with Necsa’s strict security, confidentiality, environmental, and quality protocols. The provider must update FPPs whenever project scopes, site conditions, or equipment change.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must demonstrate full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Construction Regulation 10 (CR 10), relevant SANS standards, and Necsa’s internal SHEQ procedures. Key technical obligations include:

• Submission of professionally documented deliverables in agreed formats, including risk assessments, rescue plans, training programmes, and engineering calculations/certifications.
• Maintenance of valid tax clearance, COIDA registration, and comprehensive insurance coverage (Professional Indemnity and Public Liability).
• Implementation of rigorous pre-employment and security screening for all deployed staff and subcontractors, including criminal record verification and right-to-work confirmation.
• Strict adherence to Necsa’s information security, confidentiality, and alcohol/drug-free zone policies.
• Bid submission must follow a two-envelope system (technical and pricing proposals) with specified physical dimensions and an accompanying electronic copy.

Skills & Qualification Requirements

The tender mandates a multidisciplinary team with verified credentials and proven industry experience. Mandatory qualifications include:

• Minimum of two Certified Fall Protection Planners with valid accreditation.
• At least two SACPCMP-certified Health and Safety Officers.
• ECSA-registered Civil or Mechanical Engineers authorised to certify structural fall protection designs.
• Certified “Train the Trainer” facilitators recognised by NOSA or equivalent accredited bodies.
• Valid registration with the Institute for Working at Heights.
• Proof of ISO 9001 Quality Management System certification.
• Verifiable commercial history demonstrating prior experience in industrial or decommissioning fall protection planning, supported by reference letters or completion certificates.
• Demonstrated experience operating in high-risk environments such as nuclear, petrochemical, or heavy industrial sectors.

Explanation of Specialised Terms

• CR 10 (Construction Regulations 10): South African legislation mandating that all construction-related work-at-height activities require formally appointed, competent planners and supervisors to ensure systemic fall protection and risk control.
• SANS Standards: South African National Standards that dictate technical specifications and safety benchmarks for scaffolding (SANS 10085), fall arrest systems (SANS 50364), and occupational health management (SANS 45001).
• POPIA: The Protection of Personal Information Act, South Africa’s data privacy legislation requiring strict protocols for collecting, storing, and processing employee and contractor personal data.
• BBS (Behavioural Based Safety): A proactive safety methodology focused on observing, analysing, and modifying worker behaviours to eliminate at-risk actions before incidents occur.
• COIDA: The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, which requires employers to register with the Compensation Fund and pay premiums to cover workplace injuries and illnesses.