Sasol and the leaders of three major South African labour unions on Monday signed a ”groundbreaking” charter in Johannesburg to improve safety within the company.
”We, the management and labour unions of Sasol, are committed to working together to improve the safety of Sasol operations,” says the charter, signed by Pieter Cox, Sasol chief executive and the trade union leaders.
One of the most prominent issues, highlighted during the ceremony and stated in the charter, was the need to improve the management of contractors working at various Sasol plants. This included a stricter selection process.
According to Philip Buys, general secretary of Solidarity, 14 people were killed and more than 300 injured at Sasol plants over the past 18 months.
”The unfortunate events at our plants have been unacceptable, said Cox.
”We believe there is no higher priority than safety at Sasol”.
Cox said the accidents were preventable and would be reduced, and ultimately eliminated. He added that safety would now be elevated to become one of the company’s six foundation values.
He drew reference to the company’s operation in North America, where there have been no accidents for the second year running.
”This [goal] is not too much of a utopian ambition.”
The unions agreed, and said the signing of the charter marked a significant day that would begin a new culture of safety.
”Sasol cannot forever be a graveyard!” said Pasco Dyani, president of the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied workers Union.
”We cannot accept death at Sasol. And this beautiful document begins to deal with critical matters like the human aspect and the reputation of Sasol. If we fail, history will judge us harshly.”
Joseph Maqhekeni, of the South African Chemical Workers Union, also praised the charter, which he called a first of its kind in South Africa, but lashed out at the Department of Labour for not coming to the party.
”We are not happy with the department,” he said.
”Their role is to assist but they do not know what to do.”
He said the people sent out to assist on sites were not of the ”right calibre” and did not know how to do basic things.
Buys, of Solidarity, said his union regarded the charter as a monument and its symbolic value was more important than the content.
”This charter is not the answer to the issues identified by the Du Pont report, but is an undertaking to address those issues”.
While the charter did not set out an immediate plan of action, and was not a ”quick-fix” solution, the leaders did commit themselves to a planning workshop in the near future.
Also, the unions said, the effects of a growing focus on safety could already be felt at various plants.
Sasol also said a high-level team was taking a fresh look at the contractors and innovative methods, like industrial theatre, was being used to improve education. – Sapa