More than half the construction sites visited by inspections from the Labour Department in the past week failed to comply with safety regulations.
A statement from the Department of Labour said that inspectors visited 115 construction sites and of these, only 55 contractors (47,8%) were found to be fully compliant.
“This is a concern as it is far behind the departmental target of achieving at least 70% compliance levels for the sector,” said departmental spokesperson Zolisa Sigabi.
In the coming week, the inspectors are preparing to blitz the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. A total of 126 inspectors are gearing up to swoop on 263 construction sites in the latter province.
“The action is in line with the department’s campaign targeting high-risk sectors with the aim of reducing high fatal accident rates,” Sigabi said.
“In just about one year, from April 2006 to July 2007, the province has recorded a total of 76 accidents in the construction sector. Out of these, 16 employees lost their lives as a result of falls from extreme heights, collapse of structures or excavations.”
A swoop by the inspectors in Rustenburg (North West province) resulted in two construction companies’ operations being completely shut down for not complying with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Constructions Regulations.
Sebapo/Big Eye Investments Joint Venture and Epsar were both issued with prohibition notices instructing them to halt their entire operations pending the submission of health and safety plans and specifications to the Rustenburg labour centre.
In addition, Western Cape employers in the private security industry have been warned to stand by for the same kind of scrutiny. Labour Director General Vanguard Mkosana will be part of the team that will be crossing the province over five days from Monday looking at both sectors for occupational health and safety measures and sound working conditions.
Sigabi added that 4 000 employers will be visited between this month and October. Other sectors to be visited include food and beverages, iron and steel, and agriculture. — I-Net Bridge