This month let’s examine the question: what is considered engineering work? (Refer to Government Gazette Vol 669 published 26 March 2021 No 44333.)
It is important to understand what is considered as engineering work to distinguish this term from the often loosely used ‘engineer’ or ‘engineering’ words. Engineering work is not limited to work done by engineers, but also includes work done by technologists and technicians.
Engineering work applies to the automation industry, which also includes, instrumentation, measurement, mechatronics, control etc. The following activities serve as examples:
• The analysis, planning, design, manufacture, construction, management, operation and maintenance of materials, components, and plant systems.
• Electronic devices, apparatus, and control systems for industrial, biomedical and consumer products and processes.
• Computing, communication and software for critical application instrumentation and control of processes developed through the application of electrical, electromagnetic and information engineering sciences.
While specific tasks include:
• Specifying production or installation methods, materials, and quality standards, and directing production or installation work of electronic products and systems.
• Establishing control standards and procedures to ensure efficient functioning and safety of electronic systems and equipment.
• Organising and directing maintenance and repair of existing electronic systems and equipment.
• Designing electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as aeronautical guidance and propulsion control, acoustics or instrumentation and control.
• Determining manufacturing methods for electronic systems as well as the maintenance and repair of existing electronic systems and equipment.
• Designing and developing signal processing algorithms and implementing these through appropriate choice of hardware and software.
• Designing, specifying and implementing control and instrumentation of plant and processes.
• Planning and designing communications networks based on wired, fibre optical and wireless communication media.
• Determining manufacturing methods for telecommunication systems as well as the maintenance and repair of existing telecommunication systems, networks and equipment.
• Organising and directing maintenance and repair of existing telecommunication systems, networks, and equipment.
• Planning and designing computer-based communications networks based on wired, fibre optical and wireless communication media and high-speed data networks.
There are many more examples cited in the government gazette, but the above should give you ample food for thought as to the complexity of defining exactly what constitutes engineering work. In the next issue, I will take a closer look at what assessors are looking for when a person applies for registration.
Yours in automation,
Johan Maartens.
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