Johannesburg, Steinmüller Africa has set a new benchmark in operational excellence, with its site teams at the Kriel and Majuba power stations each exceeding 1000000 RCR-free hours. Recordable Case Rate (RCR)-free hours are operating runs without a single recordable injury or illness requiring medical treatment beyond first aid.
This accomplishment, representing a new standard in industrial safety performance, was reached via two distinct paths: a rapid, eight-month campaign at Kriel involving 950 personnel during critical outages, and a sustained, three-year cultural initiative at Majuba.
The results provide a compelling proof point that rigorous safety systems are a direct enabler of quality, efficiency, and reliable project delivery.
High-Velocity Performance.
At Kriel Power Station, the achievement was a feat of speed and scale. Achieved between 11 August 2024 and 30 April 2025, the milestone occurred while the team executed complex work during critical planned outrages. This high-velocity performance was engineered through a non-negotiable framework of daily controls, including rigorous toolbox talks, continuous risk assessments, dual Eskom and SMA permit-to-work systems, and visible leadership walkabouts.
Targeted technologies, such as drone inspections to identify maintenance leaks, were strategically deployed to minimise human exposure in high-risk zones. To mark the achievement, team members were awarded commemorative milestone jackets, reinforcing the value placed on their collective discipline.
Excellence Forged Over Time
The Majuba achievement showcases the power of long-term cultural discipline. Over three years, the team forged its million-hour record not with temporary measures, but with a deeply embedded philosophy of shared accountability. This commitment permeated every level of the operation, from site management and planning to skilled and unskilled trades. The team’s operating rhythm was defined by empowered hazard reporting, continuous skills refreshers, and a core principle of keeping safety procedures “live, not laminated.” With milestone jackets now awarded, the team has already set its next target: the 2 000 000 RCR-free hour mark.
These results showcase two paths to operational certainty,” said Rudolph Botha, Group Manager: HSE, Steinmüller Africa. “Kriel demonstrates high-tempo execution under pressure, while Majuba proves the power of a three-year cultural marathon. Both confirm that zero harm and quality delivery are the same discipline, earned through thousands of correct decisions on the ground.”
A client representative added, “A million incident-free hours isn’t just a safety metric; it’s a performance advantage that translates directly into schedule reliability and quality.”
The focus now shifts to the future. Majuba is targeting its next milestone of 2 000 000 RCR-free hours, while Kriel is focused on sustaining its high-performance momentum.
With these twin achievements, Steinmüller Africa has demonstrated what is possible. The focus now is to make this exceptional standard of zero-harm performance the repeatable expectation on every project, every day.
ENDS
