Regulatory compliance is a significant overall cost for industries such as mining, quarrying, construction, and manufacturing, often running into the millions each year. Consistently implementing and maintaining the correct explosives regulatory and safety standards also require constant attention to avoid the potential for expensive litigation or fines if these standards are not met.
The challenge is often that managing compliance internally can stretch an organisation’s resources thin, especially considering how complex explosives regulations can be and how prone they are to changing.
Keeping up with the latest safety standards, handling the intricacies of storage, transportation, and onsite use, and ensuring adherence to multiple jurisdictional regulations, including border management requirements, all demand significant time, expertise, and manpower. This is where outsourcing explosives compliance makes both financial and operational sense.
The value of specialised compliance services
A key benefit to outsourcing is access to specialised expertise at a lower cost than hiring professionals in-house, avoiding placing additional strain on your current resources. Firms like Mining and Energy Acuity (MEA) possess an extensive safety and compliance library, built from experiences in working with diverse clients in a variety of situations. This brings with it the ability to adapt quickly and resolve unexpected challenges without delay.
Additionally, developing and training internal resources to match the level of expertise and efficiency offered by external providers often takes years, and can be prohibitively expensive. Recruiting qualified staff from a small talent pool is difficult, and new hires often need months to acclimate. Moreover, employee turnover adds further costs, as this means losing all the time and resources invested in training.
In contrast, outsourcing to a provider like MEA grants immediate access to highly trained compliance specialists. This eliminates the challenges of turnover, as MEA’s established team ensures minimal disruption to operations, with multiple members available to step in as needed.
Reduced risk of non-compliance
Non-compliance with explosives regulations is another serious issue. Under the Explosives Act in South Africa, for example, violations can result in hefty fines, forfeiture of explosives licences, and even imprisonment of up to 25 years.
The penalties for failing to comply are severe and can lead to major operational disruptions and reputational damage. To prevent this outcome, outsourcing compliance to experts will ensure that your business adheres to the stringent regulations, minimising the risk of costly errors and fines.
Third-party providers can also conduct safety audits and provide on-site consultation, ensuring that your team follows all safety protocols when handling explosives. This added layer of oversight strengthens your business’ commitment to safety and regulatory adherence while providing peace of mind that your operations are in good hands.
Expertise across multiple jurisdictions
As a final point, regulations change across borders, necessitating complex logistics, and making pan-African operations considerably more complicated from a compliance perspective. Outsourcing to a firm with international experience can help businesses navigate these complexities, ensuring that you remain compliant with all relevant laws, no matter where you operate.
A global service provider can also manage cross-border transportation and storage regulations, while leveraging international relationships, ensuring that your operations run smoothly and without legal interruptions.
Outsourcing explosives compliance activities is ultimately a key strategic decision every company across the mining, quarrying, construction, and manufacturing sectors should consider. By partnering with MEA, businesses can tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience that will keep operations running flawlessly, and reduce the threat of costly fines or operational setbacks.
Letting experts handle your compliance needs allows your business to focus on what it does best, while bringing the comfort of knowing that your safety and regulatory requirements are always met.
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