Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The process safety culture maturity of Sasol Infrachem; namely, Infragas, the Water and Waste, Ammonia and Steam Stations plants, are assessed using human factors dimensions related to man-machine, employee job roles and organisational culture interfaces. Numerous global process safety incidents resulting in catastrophic consequences originating from human and organisational factors have encouraged the organisation to investigate the underlying human factors concerned, and to identify and manage key risks undermining process safety maturity. The research study construct utilises internationally recognised standards to assess process safety maturity which consists of human factors perception surveys supported by employee interviews, process safety sustainability audits, incident reporting effectiveness and assessing the underlying leadership behaviours. Perception surveys and interviews are used to find similarities or differences found in sustainability progress and incident reporting. Primary leadership drivers that hinder process safety maturity related to unwillingness to accept accountability, employee blame, fear and lack of trust are associated with ineffective process safety incident reporting and lack of organisational learning. Key human factors risks identified and assessed in the study are additional resources required to update operating procedures, the provision of employee competence assurance and ineffective safety communication related to equipment labelling that has caused occurrence of repeat process safety incidents. Three process safety maturity models are used to assess the four plants based on commitment towards continuous improvement; incident reporting effectiveness and examining interdependent team leadership behaviours through process safety balance scorecard metrics. The research results indicate the process safety maturity levels in decreasing order are Infragas, Ammonia, Water and Waste and Steam Stations plants. Suggestions are made to accelerate process safety maturity with the aim of effective interchange of knowledge, experience and behaviours related to man-machine, employee job roles, organisational culture and leadership dimensions.

Student Number : 8805489T - MA research report - School of Human and Community Development - Faculty of Humanities / A casual scan of workplace based mental health services in South Africa reveals a developing tendency and trend towards the outsourcing of this service. Most companies that previously boosted relatively huge integrated and comprehensive workplace mental health services have ceased offering these services internally in favour of sourcing them from external service providers. Most occupational social workers who previously worked in these departments are now part of the outsourced services. Occupational social work theory advocates for practitioners to go beyond focusing on the individual by also seeking to impact on the environment and the community in the quest to serve the needs of their clients. Some services, particularly if the practitioner seeks to change the host organisation, are easier to render when the practitioner is within the organisation. The present study investigated, using robust statistical methods, firstly, the desirability of comprehensiveness and integration in workplace mental health services, and, secondly, whether observed levels of comprehensiveness and integration in service delivery in a single organisation that uses outsourced workplace mental health services are in line with desired levels. The research results indicate that host organisations desire more comprehensiveness and integration in workplace mental health services than is currently observed from an outsourced mental health service.

This study looks at what Sasol must do to retain senior black managers. The findings of this study are based on the perspectives of a group of black professionals who went through a two year program referred to as Sasol's Accelerated Leadership Development Program (ALDP). Given the fact that the company has acknowledged the problem of having senior black managers in its ranks, the objective is to use their own perspectives on what Sasol must do to retain them. The question of retaining employees is critical given the stiff competition that Sasol operate in and also taking into account the fact that Sasol is expanding outside the borders of South Africa. The respondents pointed out that there are a number of issues which Sasol's management must look at in order for them to stay in the company. The issues raised relate to Sasol's corporate culture which is perceived not to be accommodative of a diverse work force, the management style which is seen as conservative and bureaucratic. Over and above that, the predominant use of Afrikaans, whilst English is the official business language is seen as an obstacle for non-Afrikaans employees to stay in the company. Other issues raised are the Senior Mannekrag Beplanning Kamer (SMBK), a process used for the promotion of senior managers which is seen as not representative. The respondents felt that they need to be given challenging work assignments and be given opportunities for career growth and development. Equally important is the question of the work environment in general which is not seen as embracing diversity and remuneration and benefits which are seen to be fair and competitive. The findings are indicative of the importance of informing retention strategies with the views of the very employees that must be retained. These results further suggest that a planned approach which is inclusive of stakeholders is appropriate rather than an imposed plan. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Convenience stores are playing a pivotal role in the contribution to profitability in the fuels retail environment. In order to increase market share that will lead to increased profits it is imperative to provide excellent customer service. Customer experience has been identified as the key construct in the modern retail environment to be addressed, in order to ensure a satisfied customer. It has been noted that customer experience is not measured in the convenience stores, but only at the pump stations and the carwash service points of Sasol garages. Sasol Oil has a fuels retail market share of 9% and it will be beneficial for the company to explore all avenues to increase market share since convenience stores contribute 25% towards the total profit of the company. A literature review was conducted to identify the important controllable elements of the total customer experience and the measuring instruments that can be used to measure these elements, which formed the basis of the empirical study. The measuring instruments discussed in the literature are Servqual, Kano and customised models. One of the dimensions of the total customer experience is service quality and a customised model was chosen as the measuring instrument of choice. Questionnaires were developed, based on the controllable elements of customer experience, and distributed via email and handouts. In total, 260 questionnaires were distributed with a response of 47.7%. Descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis were employed to analyse the data. The reliability of the questionnaire was tested using Cronbach alpha. Cronbach alpha values above the minimum requirements and a cumulative variance of only 47% was achieved. Conclusions were drawn from the empirical study and recommendations were made in the final chapter. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Convenience stores are playing a pivotal role in the contribution to profitability in the fuels retail environment. In order to increase market share that will lead to increased profits it is imperative to provide excellent customer service. Customer experience has been identified as the key construct in the modern retail environment to be addressed, in order to ensure a satisfied customer. It has been noted that customer experience is not measured in the convenience stores, but only at the pump stations and the carwash service points of Sasol garages. Sasol Oil has a fuels retail market share of 9% and it will be beneficial for the company to explore all avenues to increase market share since convenience stores contribute 25% towards the total profit of the company. A literature review was conducted to identify the important controllable elements of the total customer experience and the measuring instruments that can be used to measure these elements, which formed the basis of the empirical study. The measuring instruments discussed in the literature are Servqual, Kano and customised models. One of the dimensions of the total customer experience is service quality and a customised model was chosen as the measuring instrument of choice. Questionnaires were developed, based on the controllable elements of customer experience, and distributed via email and handouts. In total, 260 questionnaires were distributed with a response of 47.7%. Descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis were employed to analyse the data. The reliability of the questionnaire was tested using Cronbach alpha. Cronbach alpha values above the minimum requirements and a cumulative variance of only 47% was achieved. Conclusions were drawn from the empirical study and recommendations were made in the final chapter. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

M.Comm. / The fertiliser and related activities of Sasol Fertilizers were consolidated during 2000 under the new name Sasol Agri. Sasol Fertilizers is a business unit of Sasol Agri, and is responsible for the manufacturing and marketing of quality fertiliser products for the group. Through its business units, Sasol Agri manufactures a full range of granular and liquid fertilisers, bulk-blend mixtures, ammoniated phosphates, sulphate of ammonia and nitrogenous products for the South African and export markets. This division was established in 1981 to use ammonia derived from the Sasol coal to oil refining process to produce fertiliser. Production commenced in 1983. Today Sasol Fertilizers is a dynamic producer and marketer of fertiliser products in both local and export markets. The Sasol Fertilizers factory is located in Secunda, about 150 kilometres expanded its investment in liquid fertilisers by acquiring the remaining 50% shareholding in the Delmas Fertiliser Group. This business has been identified as a growth area and additional resources have been allocated to product development and expansion in South Africa to service local demand.

The study seeks to find out students' and library staff's perceptions and experiences of the popular fiction collection at the University of the Free State's Sasol Library. The purpose of the study is to examine what these perceptions and experiences mean for the future expansion and development of the leisure collection. The Social Learning Theory guided the study. The study adopted a qualitative and quantitative approach whereby open- and close-ended questionnaires were distributed online to students and to library staff to gather research data. The population that participated in the study comprised undergraduate and postgraduate students and library staff. The study employed stratified random sampling as a research technique. The targeted population comprised 37,800 registered students and 61 library staff members accidentally sampled. This in turn gave sample sizes of 381 for students and 53 for library staff. Quantitative data was analysed using Google Forms and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Further, qualitative data was analysed thematically through content analysis. The study found that students enjoy reading popular fiction at the Sasol Library's fiction collection for leisure. The study also found that library staff support the existence of the leisure reading collection, even though a small number felt that its operations could be improved. The study therefore recommends that the university direct resources towards the expansion and improvement of the popular collection through the training of staff and stocking of reading genres that the students require.

Thesis (D.Tech.: Mechanical Engineering)-Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Durban University of Technology, 2007 xxx, 190 leaves, Annexures A-D / A composite material comprises two or more materials with properties that are superior to those of the individual constituents. Composites have become important engineering materials, especially in the fields of chemical plant, automotive, aerospace and marine engineering. The development of more advanced materials and manufacturing techniques in composites has grown from humble beginnings in the 1930s to a recognized and well-respected engineering discipline, providing solutions to conventional and challenging applications. At present, fibre-reinforced composites (FRCs) are amongst the most common types of composites used. They are produced in various forms with different structural properties, and designers, specifiers and end-users can choose from an almost endless list of these materials, providing design flexibility as well as low manufacturing and maintenance cost. Many suggest that composites have revolutionised the chemical and petro-chemical industries. Examples of applications include tanks and chemical reactor vessels that contains many hundreds of litres of hazardous chemicals, reinforced pipes measuring up to several meters in diameter conveying dangerous gases and so on. The South Africa Coal, Oil and Gas Corporation Limited (SASOL) was established in September 1950. From a small start-up, the company has grown to be a world leader in the commercial production of liquid fuels and chemicals from coal and crude oil. Sasol manufactures more than 200 fuel and chemical products at its main plants in Sasolburg and Secunda in South Africa as well as at several other plants abroad. Its products are exported to more than 90 countries around the world. The use of composites in general, and fibre reinforced composites in particular has received little support in Sasol through the years. Some sporadic use of these materials in the construction of process equipment, e.g. tanks, vessels and piping has taken place with varying degrees of success. While the use of equipment fabricated with fibre-reinforced composites has proven extremely successful in the chlorine producing facility in Sasolburg, catastrophic failures have taken place in Secunda in critical fire water systems made of these materials. The history of correct use and application of fibre-reinforced equipment has shown that the cost of ownership of such equipment is significantly lower than similar metallic equipment, therefore reducing costs and safety risks. However, even though this technology brings a company like Sasol closer to the realisation of the vast number of advantages and solutions offered by these materials, the reality is that most engineering personnel are still applying traditional (viz. steel and wood) technology as used by our predecessors. The work presented here attempts to indicate the relevance of fibre-reinforced composites for Sasol, and to detail efforts aimed at the raising of awareness amongst appropriate personnel at Sasol to increase the use of these materials in major capital projects and day-to-day maintenance contracts, therefore taking advantage of the superior performance of fibre-reinforced composites in demanding applications. In support of this drive, part of the work presented indicates the status as well as progress of the composites industry in the last few years. This project was therefore aimed at identifying the level of utilization of fibre-reinforced composites at Sasol, and the possible improvement in benefits of using these technologies. A methodology was developed, using engineering as well as marketing principles, to reach the engineering personnel in various divisions and seniority levels of Sasol to increase the awareness of the capabilities of composites materials, specifically regarding fibre-reinforced composites. Questionnaires were used to gauge the level of awareness while various methods, e.g. one-on-one meetings, seminars, conferences, electronic media, etc were used to upgrade the target groups’ knowledge. The results of the initial survey to determine the status of various dimensions in the company are indicated as well as the outcomes at the end of the research period. In support of the process in Sasol, the development, interaction and cross-pollination of international and national role-players in the fibre-reinforcement industry with respect to chemical containment and Sasol are indicated. The importance of this two-legged process is demonstrated: it ensures a professional national support framework for companies like Sasol. Results are indicated, compared and discussed to give future direction in this ongoing process. As important to this process was the development of appropriate technical resources (like design standards and codes) to enable their use within the group. It was recognised early on that raising the level of awareness of the target groups was not enough and that these resources had to be in-place down the line so that those who chose to could start to implement these material technologies with the aid of the resources. The development of the necessary resources is also discussed. Finally, it will be shown that significant growth has taken place regarding the awareness within the group over the course of implementation of this project. Specifically, about 20% of the target groups have moved from a stage of no knowledge to higher levels of confidence. In terms of use of these materials, significant growth has also taken place judging by the number of plant requests, activity on major capital projects and so on. In fact, from almost nothing in 1999, over the last 5 years in excess of R137 Million has been spent on capital equipment manufactured from composite materials, with the majority in the last 2 years.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / Please refer to full text for abstract.

Thesis (D.Tech.: Mechanical Engineering)-Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Durban University of Technology, 2007 xxx, 190 leaves, Annexures A-D / A composite material comprises two or more materials with properties that are superior to those of the individual constituents. Composites have become important engineering materials, especially in the fields of chemical plant, automotive, aerospace and marine engineering. The development of more advanced materials and manufacturing techniques in composites has grown from humble beginnings in the 1930s to a recognized and well-respected engineering discipline, providing solutions to conventional and challenging applications. At present, fibre-reinforced composites (FRCs) are amongst the most common types of composites used. They are produced in various forms with different structural properties, and designers, specifiers and end-users can choose from an almost endless list of these materials, providing design flexibility as well as low manufacturing and maintenance cost. Many suggest that composites have revolutionised the chemical and petro-chemical industries. Examples of applications include tanks and chemical reactor vessels that contains many hundreds of litres of hazardous chemicals, reinforced pipes measuring up to several meters in diameter conveying dangerous gases and so on. The South Africa Coal, Oil and Gas Corporation Limited (SASOL) was established in September 1950. From a small start-up, the company has grown to be a world leader in the commercial production of liquid fuels and chemicals from coal and crude oil. Sasol manufactures more than 200 fuel and chemical products at its main plants in Sasolburg and Secunda in South Africa as well as at several other plants abroad. Its products are exported to more than 90 countries around the world. The use of composites in general, and fibre reinforced composites in particular has received little support in Sasol through the years. Some sporadic use of these materials in the construction of process equipment, e.g. tanks, vessels and piping has taken place with varying degrees of success. While the use of equipment fabricated with fibre-reinforced composites has proven extremely successful in the chlorine producing facility in Sasolburg, catastrophic failures have taken place in Secunda in critical fire water systems made of these materials. The history of correct use and application of fibre-reinforced equipment has shown that the cost of ownership of such equipment is significantly lower than similar metallic equipment, therefore reducing costs and safety risks. However, even though this technology brings a company like Sasol closer to the realisation of the vast number of advantages and solutions offered by these materials, the reality is that most engineering personnel are still applying traditional (viz. steel and wood) technology as used by our predecessors. The work presented here attempts to indicate the relevance of fibre-reinforced composites for Sasol, and to detail efforts aimed at the raising of awareness amongst appropriate personnel at Sasol to increase the use of these materials in major capital projects and day-to-day maintenance contracts, therefore taking advantage of the superior performance of fibre-reinforced composites in demanding applications. In support of this drive, part of the work presented indicates the status as well as progress of the composites industry in the last few years. This project was therefore aimed at identifying the level of utilization of fibre-reinforced composites at Sasol, and the possible improvement in benefits of using these technologies. A methodology was developed, using engineering as well as marketing principles, to reach the engineering personnel in various divisions and seniority levels of Sasol to increase the awareness of the capabilities of composites materials, specifically regarding fibre-reinforced composites. Questionnaires were used to gauge the level of awareness while various methods, e.g. one-on-one meetings, seminars, conferences, electronic media, etc were used to upgrade the target groups’ knowledge. The results of the initial survey to determine the status of various dimensions in the company are indicated as well as the outcomes at the end of the research period. In support of the process in Sasol, the development, interaction and cross-pollination of international and national role-players in the fibre-reinforcement industry with respect to chemical containment and Sasol are indicated. The importance of this two-legged process is demonstrated: it ensures a professional national support framework for companies like Sasol. Results are indicated, compared and discussed to give future direction in this ongoing process. As important to this process was the development of appropriate technical resources (like design standards and codes) to enable their use within the group. It was recognised early on that raising the level of awareness of the target groups was not enough and that these resources had to be in-place down the line so that those who chose to could start to implement these material technologies with the aid of the resources. The development of the necessary resources is also discussed. Finally, it will be shown that significant growth has taken place regarding the awareness within the group over the course of implementation of this project. Specifically, about 20% of the target groups have moved from a stage of no knowledge to higher levels of confidence. In terms of use of these materials, significant growth has also taken place judging by the number of plant requests, activity on major capital projects and so on. In fact, from almost nothing in 1999, over the last 5 years in excess of R137 Million has been spent on capital equipment manufactured from composite materials, with the majority in the last 2 years.