The Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA) gives you the right to request access to records held by Wattson & Ohms. Our PAIA manual explains what records we hold and how to request them. It is available free of charge on request — email info@wattson-ohms.com and we will send you a copy.
About PAIA
PAIA gives effect to the constitutional right of access to information. It allows any person to request access to a record held by a private body where that record is required to exercise or protect a right. Wattson & Ohms is a private body for the purposes of the Act.
Getting our PAIA manual
Our manual sets out our contact details, the categories of records we hold, the records available without a formal request, and the procedure and fees that apply to a request. To obtain a copy, contact us at info@wattson-ohms.com. It is provided at no cost, and it may also be inspected at our offices by arrangement.
Records we typically hold
The records we keep relate to running an engineering business and serving our clients. Broadly, they include:
- Technical records — protection system designs, risk assessments, test results, compliance certificates, monitoring data and remediation records.
- Client records — agreements, quotations, correspondence and invoices.
- Company records — statutory, financial, tax and insurance records.
- Employee records — as required by labour and tax legislation.
- Supplier and subcontractor records.
Some of these records are confidential, belong to our clients, or are protected from disclosure under PAIA. A request does not automatically mean access will be granted — the Act sets out specific grounds on which access must or may be refused.
How to make a request
- Submit your request to our Information Officer in the form prescribed under PAIA, using the contact details below.
- Provide enough detail to identify the record you want, your contact details, and the form of access you prefer.
- Explain the right you are seeking to exercise or protect, and why the record is required for that purpose.
- Prescribed request and access fees may apply, and we will let you know if any are payable before we process the request.
We will respond to your request within the period allowed under PAIA, which is ordinarily 30 days, and will tell you if that period needs to be extended in the circumstances the Act permits. If we refuse a request, we will give reasons and explain your options.
Our Information Officer
Requests under PAIA, and any questions about this page, should be directed to our Information Officer at info@wattson-ohms.com.
Personal information
If your request concerns your own personal information, our Privacy Policy explains what we hold and the rights you have under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which may be a simpler route than a formal PAIA request.
The Information Regulator
PAIA is overseen by the Information Regulator of South Africa. If you are unhappy with how we have handled a request, you may lodge a complaint with the Regulator, which also publishes the prescribed forms and guidance for making a request.