Dekra champions a safety-first approach with integrated process safety for a holistic industrialsolution
As Dekra celebrates an impressive 100 years of iconic global safety leadership, non-destructive testing, and inspection, Dekra Industrial South Africa and its adult-based education and occupational training division the Institute of Learning (IOL) are reinforcing their commitment to proactive, intelligent safety
solutions across Africa’s high-risk industries. Rooted in a ‘safetyfirst’ mindset and driven by process safety awareness, the two sides of the business offer clients a fully integrated solution.
“Safety is a deeply embedded value at Dekra Industrial. It is more than a department – it is the way we operate, how we think, and how we grow,” says Johan Gerber, Dekra Industrial’s MD. “Whether through advanced training, inspection protocols, or digital compliance platforms, we believe that safety is the foundation on which everything else is built.” This approach is reflected in Dekra’s international footprint,
robust client trust indicators (such as a global Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 55.7), and its continued zero Lost Time Injury Frequency Rates (LTIFR) and Disabling Frequency Rates (DFR). For Dekra locally, a key focus for 2025 is Process Safety Management (PSM), a vital but often misunderstood discipline.
Christopher Mörsner, Head of Training and Consulting at the IOL, explains: “Occupational safety deals with frequent, lowerseverity incidents. Process safety, on the other hand, focuses on low-frequency but high-impact events like explosions or toxic releases. A single failure can be catastrophic.” Dekra IOL supports clients in identifying and controlling hazards linked to chemical processes, flammable
atmospheres, dust generation, and hazardous byproducts. “It is not just about ticking compliance boxes. It is about accountability, foresight, and building resilience into every operational process,” says Mörsner. “We start with a baseline assessment. From there, we can help clients develop targeted interventions, often using Dekra’s bespoke dynamic risk register to simulate vulnerabilities before implementation.”
One of the most overlooked areas, according to Mörsner, is the impact of human error and unmanaged organisational and behavioural change. “Changes in raw materials, layouts, or even staff can introduce new risks. If those changes are not evaluated, the consequences can be severe.” This culture of vigilance and teamwork is a hallmark of Dekra Industrial’s work, particularly in sectors such as power generation, petrochemicals, mining, and manufacturing, where the margin for error is razor-thin. “Our teams are not only technically skilled, but trained in behavioural safety principles,” adds Gerber. “There are thousands of examples where our NDT interventions, for example, have prevented disaster: whether it is identifying
hydrogen leaks, detecting critical boiler defects, or catching structural faults before they escalate.”
The strength of Dekra Industrial and the IOL lies in their holistic service offering. Co-located teams across South Africa deliver integrated inspection, testing, and training services. “Clients are not just buying services – they are investing in a long-term safety partnership,” says Mörsner. “We believe success is a
collective effort between trainers, technicians, engineers, and clients.”
As Dekra enters its second century, the company remains focused on innovation, sustainable growth, and embedding safety deeply within industrial culture. Whether addressing immediate compliance challenges or developing long-term safety strategies, Dekra Industrial and IOL will continue to
stand at the forefront of workplace safety in South Africa.
