17 July 2006
The Department of Labour is at pains to explain why employers should always
put the safety of workers before profits, following one of many fatal accidents
within the construction sector.
Reacting to the fatal accident in which one worker died and another was
seriously injured when the roof of a building collapsed in Marabastad, Pretoria
yesterday.
Departmental spokesperson Mokgadi Pela also challenged unions and workers to
strengthen their safety representatives in their work places.
âI may sound like a scratched record, but for me safety comes first. It is
therefore incumbent upon all stakeholders within the industry to ensure their
work environment is safe,â he said.
Preliminary investigations by the Department of Labour inspectors have found
that the builders had been laying concrete slabs on the roof using a crane when
the supporting structure collapsed.
Investigations are still continuing.
Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela
Cell: 082 808 2168
Issued by: Department of Labour
17 July 2006
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