The annual shutdown at Sasol when this operations plant undergoes a major facility shutdown for statutory maintenance to critical infrastructure and equipment, already kicked off on August 30 and will continue until the end of September.
Ms Nomia Machebe, communications and media manager, said this year, the shutdown theme, Own, is based on one of Sasol’s core values, which is to Be Accountable.
“At Sasol, we believe that well maintained equipment enables reliable operations and encourages a safe and healthy working environment,” said Ms Machebe.
During the 2021 shutdown, various Sasol Secunda employees and service providers will be carrying out some specific activities.
These activities include restoring and replacing some of Sasol’s equipment to strengthen a safe and reliable operational environment, improving procedures to ensure that Sasol’s processes are aligned to best practices, reviewing and measuring ways of working against those used by market leaders and optimising cost, time and available resources to ensure a successful shutdown.
Ms Machebe said it is expected that during the shutdown, about 1.3 million man hours will be worked to complete all activities.
During this time, about 102 000 planned activities will be performed to repair, clean, service or replace about 7 500 pieces of equipment.
“Our objective is to achieve a successful shutdown in terms of safety, stakeholder involvement and community impact as we adhere to the current Covid-19 regulations,” said Ms Machebe.
“It is for this reason that, ahead of shutdown, Sasol partnered with the Mpumalanga Provincial government and the Department of Health to rollout a Covid-19 vaccination programme to our service providers and employees.
“This was done as an effective measure to mitigate the increased workplace exposure to Covid-19 and the risk of it spreading.
“Sasol recognises that it remains an individual’s choice to be vaccinated, and that choice is to be exercised with due consideration to individual rights and without any fear of discrimination or retaliation.
“This is underpinned by Sasol’s Human Rights Policy.
“Sasol encourages all stakeholders to remain vigilant and practice non-medical interventions by wearing masks, washing hands, observing social distance.
“Health and is a top priority for Sasol.
“Secunda will be expecting an influx of people coming for a shutdown, which may result in increased traffic.
“Sasol would like to encourage stakeholders and communities to be patient.
“Zero harm is only possible when we do it together, so let us Own it.”
