Unitrans General Worker: Truck Tyre and Workshop Vacancy in Durban

Unitrans is recruiting a permanent General Worker at its Clairwood Workshop in Durban for a role that combines truck tyre fitting, wheel handling, workshop housekeeping, waste management and safety support.

The position sits within the Petroleum business unit and is suited to physically fit applicants with Grade 10 to 12, with previous tyre fitting experience on light commercial vehicles and trucks preferred.

Applications close on 13 November 2026.

What will you do as a Unitrans General Worker?

This is not a general cleaning-only position.

The role includes practical tyre, workshop and operational responsibilities such as:

• Stripping and fitting tyres
• Removing and refitting truck and trailer wheels
• Checking tyre pressure and tread depth
• Inspecting rims, valves and studs
• Supporting tyre breakdowns
• Recording tyre information
• Handling casings and scrap tyres
• Cleaning workshop and operational areas
• Controlling waste and spills
• Checking equipment before use

The job therefore combines physical workshop work with strict safety and housekeeping requirements.

Will you fit truck tyres?

Yes.

You may be required to strip and fit tyres using tyre-changing equipment and hand tools.

This can include:

• Breaking tyre beads
• Removing tyres from rims
• Fitting replacement tyres
• Inspecting rims
• Inspecting valves
• Checking studs for damage

Any component that is unsafe or unfit for use must be identified and set aside.

Will you remove wheels from trucks and trailers?

Yes.

You may remove and refit wheels on:

• Trucks
• Trailers

This work must follow the required wheel-off isolation procedures.

You may use equipment such as:

• Jacks
• Stands
• Wheel chocks
• Calibrated torque tools

Wheel nuts must be tightened to the required specification, and completed work must be recorded.

Re-torque checks may also be required.

How is tyre inflation handled?

Tyre inflation must follow strict safety procedures.

Tyres may only be inflated:

• In the approved restraint or cage
• To the specified pressure
• After completing the required inflation procedure

Applicants must be willing to undergo assessment and authorisation before performing inflation or wheel fitment without supervision.

Will you conduct vehicle tyre surveys?

Yes.

Tyre surveys may involve checking:

• Tyre pressure
• Tread depth
• Wear patterns
• Damage
• Valves
• Tyre matching at each wheel position

Results must be recorded accurately on a survey sheet or tyre management system.

Unsafe tyres or defects must be reported immediately.

Will you assist with breakdowns?

Yes.

You may assist with yard or roadside tyre breakdowns when rostered.

This work must follow:

• Lone-worker procedures
• Traffic safety rules
• Site safety requirements

Because breakdown work can take place near moving vehicles, strong safety awareness is essential.

What happens to scrap tyres and casings?

You will help manage:

• Used tyre casings
• Scrap tyres
• Tyre records

This includes:

• Handling
• Tagging
• Recording
• Following tyre register procedures
• Following scrap procedures

Accurate stock and scrap control helps maintain operational records and supports workshop compliance.

What cleaning and housekeeping work is involved?

The role includes routine and deep cleaning across operational areas.

You may clean:

• Tyre bays
• Workshops
• Loading zones
• Offices
• Ablution facilities
• Machine yards
• Storage areas
• Fuel station areas
• Wash bays
• Parking areas

You will need to remove hazards such as:

• Mud
• Dust
• Leaves
• Oil spills
• General debris
• Workshop waste

Clean work areas help reduce risks around vehicles, heavy equipment and workshop staff.

What waste-management responsibilities apply?

You may need to:

• Collect waste
• Separate waste correctly
• Empty bins
• Replace liners
• Move waste to approved disposal points
• Maintain recycling areas
• Handle oil-contaminated material correctly

Waste may include:

• General waste
• Scrap metal
• Organic waste
• Contaminated materials

Safe disposal is particularly important in an industrial workshop environment.

How important is safety?

Safety is central to the role.

You will need to:

• Wear required PPE
• Follow company safety procedures
• Keep walkways clear
• Keep floors and ramps free from hazards
• Report spills
• Report unsafe storage
• Report damaged surfaces
• Use warning signs where required
• Handle cleaning chemicals correctly
• Follow tyre safety procedures

The workplace includes moving trucks, vans, workshop equipment and other operational hazards.

What PPE will you wear?

Depending on the task, PPE can include:

• Safety boots
• Gloves
• Reflective vest
• Other site-required protective equipment

PPE must be worn as required throughout operational areas.

Will you use workshop and cleaning equipment?

Yes.

You may use:

• Tyre-changing equipment
• Hand tools
• Jacks
• Stands
• Torque tools
• Brooms
• Pressure washers
• Mops
• Vacuums
• Industrial brushes

You will also be expected to perform pre-use checks and report equipment faults.

What qualifications and experience are preferred?

Unitrans lists:

• Grade 10 to Grade 12 preferred
• Basic cleaning or safety training advantageous
• One to two years of tyre fitting experience on light commercial and truck tyres preferred
• Medical fitness for the role
• Physical ability to perform heavy manual work

A valid driver’s licence would be advantageous.

What technical knowledge will help?

Useful knowledge includes:

• Truck tyre safety
• Spill-cleaning procedures
• Waste-handling procedures
• Hazard identification
• Workshop housekeeping
• Tyre fitting
• Wheel fitment

Applicants should also be comfortable following structured procedures before working independently.

What personal qualities are important?

Useful qualities include:

• Alertness
• Safety awareness
• Reliability
• Discipline
• Attention to detail
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Ability to work independently
• Pride in maintaining a clean workplace

The job requires someone who can remain careful and consistent while doing physically repetitive work.

What working conditions should you expect?

The role includes work in both indoor and outdoor operational areas.

You may be exposed to:

• Dust
• Mud
• Noise
• Weather changes
• Moving trucks
• Vans
• Uneven terrain
• Heavy manual handling

The role may also require:

• Bending
• Lifting
• Prolonged standing
• Walking
• Shift work
• Weekend work
• Public holiday work
• Peak-period work

What are the vacancy details?

Employer: Unitrans

Position: General Worker

Business unit: Petroleum

Contract / Site: Clairwood Workshop

Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Employment type: Permanent

Reference: UNI261103-6

Minimum education: Grade 10 to Grade 12 preferred

Preferred experience: One to two years of LCV and truck tyre fitting

Closing date: 13 November 2026

How do you apply?

Applications must be submitted online.

Apply for the Unitrans General Worker Vacancy

Before applying, make sure your CV clearly reflects any tyre fitting, workshop, truck, cleaning, waste-management, safety or heavy manual work experience.