SA workplace fatalities under scrutiny

The Department of Labour on Wednesday said the death of nine workers at Gold Fields, the world’s fourth-largest gold producer, would take centre stage when South Africa and its international partners within the International Labour Organisation celebrate World Health and Safety Day at the end of this week.

The department said in a statement that Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana planned to use the day to commemorate the nine workers who plunged to their death at Gold Fields’s South Deep mine at the beginning of the month after a cable carrying the shaft cage snapped.

These nine fatalities on Worker’s Day brought the number of casualties at Gold Fields mines to 14 over a period of a week.

The six workers who perished during an explosion at the Assmang Plant in Cato Ridge, Durban, in March would also be honoured.

Hundreds of workers lose their lives at work in South Africa every year, and as part of an effort aimed at curbing injuries and reducing fatalities in the workplace, the minister has called for a campaign for the promotion of safe and healthy working environments.

“In South Africa, the iron and steel, construction, agriculture, food, and drink and beverage sectors have also been identified as sectors with the highest risks when it comes to workplace health and safety accidents countrywide,” the department said.

These four sectors make up 47% of the workplace injuries and fatalities reported to the department’s inspectorate.—I-Net Bridge