Artisan Mechanic

Position Title

Artisan Mechanic

Department

Engineering and Maintenance

Reporting To

Mechanical Supervisor

Functional Reporting

Mechanical Superintendent

Location

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Employment Type

Permanent

POSITION PURPOSE

The Artisan Mechanic is responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, overhaul, and installation of mechanical equipment used throughout the steel manufacturing operation. The incumbent ensures that plant and production equipment operates safely, efficiently, and reliably by carrying out preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities.

The role supports operational continuity by minimising equipment downtime, improving mechanical reliability, and ensuring compliance with Company SHERQ standards and applicable South African legislation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIESMechanical Maintenance

Perform maintenance on:

• Electric Arc Furnace (EAF)
• Ladle Furnace (LF)
• Continuous Casting Machine (CCM)
• Rolling equipment
• Conveyors
• Pumps
• Gearboxes
• Compressors
• Hydraulic systems
• Pneumatic systems
• Cooling systems
• Water Treatment Plant (WTP)
• Fume Extraction Plant
• Overhead cranes
• Material handling equipment
• Mechanical drives
• Industrial fans
• Pipework systems

Preventative Maintenance

Carry out:

• Planned maintenance inspections
• Preventative maintenance schedules
• Lubrication activities
• Equipment servicing
• Mechanical adjustments
• Component replacement
• Alignment checks
• Condition monitoring inspections

Ensure maintenance is completed according to the maintenance schedule.

Breakdown Maintenance

Respond to:

• Mechanical failures
• Emergency breakdowns
• Equipment malfunctions
• Production stoppages

Diagnose faults efficiently and restore equipment to operational condition with minimum downtime.

Equipment Installation

Assist with:

• Installation of new equipment
• Plant modifications
• Mechanical upgrades
• Equipment commissioning
• Shutdown projects
• Machinery relocation

Mechanical Repairs

Repair and overhaul:

• Pumps
• Gearboxes
• Bearings
• Shafts
• Couplings
• Chains
• Belts
• Rollers
• Hydraulic cylinders
• Valves
• Mechanical seals
• Structural components

Workshop Activities

Carry out:

• Fabrication support
• Mechanical fitting
• Pipe fitting
• Precision measurements
• Assembly work
• Component refurbishment

Use engineering drawings where required.

Fault Finding

Perform systematic fault diagnosis on:

• Mechanical systems
• Hydraulic systems
• Pneumatic systems
• Rotating equipment
• Drive systems
• Lubrication systems

Identify root causes and recommend permanent corrective actions.

Housekeeping

Maintain:

• Clean work areas
• Organised workshop
• Proper storage of tools
• Safe work environment
• Good housekeeping standards (5S)

Documentation

Complete:

• Maintenance reports
• Job cards
• Inspection reports
• Breakdown reports
• Equipment history records
• Spare parts requests

Ensure accurate maintenance records.

Safety, Health, Environment, Risk and Quality (SHERQ)

• Comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
• Follow lock out/tag out procedures.
• Wear prescribed PPE.
• Conduct pre-task risk assessments.
• Report hazards, incidents, unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, and near misses.
• Comply with Company SHERQ policies.
• Support ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems.
• Maintain a safe working environment.

Continuous Improvement

Contribute to:

• Equipment reliability improvements
• Downtime reduction
• Maintenance optimisation
• Cost reduction initiatives
• Root cause elimination
• Lean Manufacturing initiatives
• Continuous improvement projects

QUALIFICATIONSMinimum Requirements

• Grade 12 (Matric)
• Recognised Trade Certificate as a Mechanical Artisan / Mechanic

Preferred Qualifications

• N3 Mechanical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering qualification

Advantageous Qualifications

• Hydraulic Systems Training
• Pneumatic Systems Training
• Working at Heights
• Confined Space Entry
• Rigging Awareness
• Overhead Crane Safety
• First Aid
• Fire Fighting
• Valid Code B Driver's Licence

EXPERIENCEMinimum Requirements

• Minimum 3 years' post-trade experience within heavy industry or manufacturing.

Preferred Experience

• Steel manufacturing
• Heavy industrial maintenance
• Furnace maintenance
• Continuous Casting Machine maintenance
• Hydraulic systems
• Mechanical fitting
• Rotating equipment

KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

The incumbent should possess knowledge of:

• Mechanical engineering principles
• Steel manufacturing equipment
• Bearings
• Pumps
• Gearboxes
• Hydraulics
• Pneumatics
• Lubrication systems
• Mechanical alignment
• Preventative maintenance
• Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
• ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIESTechnical Skills

• Mechanical fitting
• Mechanical fault finding
• Equipment installation
• Mechanical repairs
• Welding awareness
• Engineering drawing interpretation
• Precision measuring instruments
• Hand tools
• Power tools
• Maintenance reporting

Behavioural Competencies

• Attention to detail
• Accountability
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Initiative
• Time management
• Adaptability
• Safety awareness
• Continuous improvement mindset

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KPAs)Key Performance AreaPerformance MeasurePreventative MaintenanceMaintenance schedule complianceBreakdown ResponseDowntime reductionEquipment ReliabilityIncreased plant availabilityMechanical RepairsQuality of repairs completedDocumentationAccurate maintenance recordsSHERQ ComplianceFull compliance with safety standardsHousekeepingClean and organised work areasContinuous ImprovementContribution to reliability initiativesTeamworkEffective collaboration with production and maintenanceProductivityCompletion of assigned work within required timeframesDIRECT REPORTS

This position has no direct reports.

AUTHORITY LEVEL

The Artisan Mechanic is authorised to:

• Perform mechanical maintenance and repairs.
• Stop unsafe work.
• Recommend equipment improvements.
• Request spare parts.
• Complete maintenance documentation.

The incumbent is not authorised to:

• Approve capital expenditure.
• Modify engineering standards.
• Approve procurement outside delegated authority.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Heavy industrial steel manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to heat, dust, noise, vibration, heavy machinery, molten steel operations, confined spaces, elevated work areas, and rotating equipment.
• Shift work, overtime, standby duties, shutdowns, weekends, and emergency call-outs may be required.
• Mandatory use of prescribed PPE in operational areas.

Pay: R60,00 - R70,00 per hour

Work Location: In person