contractor
6 March 2007
Employers in the construction industry have been warned to step up their
management of sub-contractors to protect their image.
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana sounded the warning during a blitz
inspection at the Berg Water Project in Franschhoek in the Western Cape today
(Tuesday).
Minister Mdladlana noted that contraventions of occupational health and
safety regulations in the sector were largely caused by sub-contractors, who
were giving the companies and the country at large a bad image.
The Minister cited incidents at car manufacturer VW in the Eastern Cape, and
Sasol plants as examples of poor management of sub-contractors.
This year alone, more than 300 workplace injuries, including fatalities have
been recorded in the construction industry.
"As chairman of the International Labour Organisation, I was accused of
doing nothing while people were dying or getting injured due to work-related
accidents. This is damaging our name as the country," the Minister said.
The Berg Water Project is a joint venture with Grinaker-LTA, Group Five,
Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon ltd (WBHO) and WCEC. The project cost more than R640
million and employs 1 100 people on site.
During the inspection the Minister and his team found inadequate hand rail
and protective barriers, while there were no diagonal bracing on the
scaffolds.
They ordered a risk assessment performance for the hanging scaffold,
electrical crossing power lines, radius of tower cranes and their
intersections.
Improper use of safety harnesses and the unsafe behaviour of workers were
also cautioned.
Employers were served with a 30-day contravention notice to correct the
contraventions or face action.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
6 March 2007
