offices
12 July 2007
Labour inspectors have halted building renovation work at its Durban Labour
Centre premises due to the exposure of extremely high noise levels and dust
particles to staff and members of the public who were trying to access services
of the Department.
Multinet Construction Company was served with a prohibition notice to
immediately stop all work after inspectors discovered that a high frequency
noise output was coming from an angle grinder being used for a whole eight-hour
shift.
Also, small air-borne dust particles were being deposited into the offices
which could have resulted in serious health problems if inhaled and reached the
lower respiratory tract.
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, "Every employer shall
conduct his undertaking in such a manner as to ensure as reasonably as
practicable that persons other than those in his employment who may be directly
affected by the activities are not thereby exposed to hazards to their health
or safety."
The company has been advised to look at implementing controls to eliminate
the noise at the source or use an enclosure where it does not reach the present
high levels that affect the health and safety of workers and the public. This
should include the closure of dust entrance points. Administrative control
measures are also to be explored where the renovation activities are to be
performed after hours or over weekends when the offices of the labour centre
are closed to the public.
Labour inspectors will be regularly monitoring the contractor and only when
satisfactory compliance is reached, the prohibition notice will be revoked.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
12 July 2007
Source: Department of Labour (http://www.labour.gov.za/)
