5 October 2007
Operations at a Cape Town factory remain at a standstill after Labour
inspectors ordered a shut down on Thursday following a gas leakage which
resulted in 38 employees being hospitalised.
The Bonwit Factory Shop employees in Athlone were treated for nauseas and
dizziness after inhaling hazardous gas caused by the leakage in the factory on
Wednesday.
Preliminary investigations in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety
Act are underway and the factory will remain closed until inspectors have
concluded the probe into the cause of the leakage.
Labour spokesperson Zolisa Sigabi said today the closure was necessitated by
the fact that health and safety of workers cannot be compromised.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Email: zolisa.sigabi@labour.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Labour
5 October 2007
Source: Department of Labour (http://www.labour.gov.za)
