A crucial summit of stakeholders in the iron and steel industry is to be held at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, on Friday 20 November 2009 focusing on the dangers inherent in the industry and searching for ways to make it safer.
Thobile Lamati, chief inspector at the Department of Labour, which hosts the event, said the occasion would provide vital feedback to employers and employees following special attention that was paid to the sector earlier this year.
He was referring to blitz inspections conducted in the iron and steel sector which were supported by follow-up inspections both of which were aimed at establishing the level of compliance with occupational health and safety by employers.
“The campaign was to take forward the Occupational Health and Safety Accord signed by stakeholders from government, business, labour and the community in 2002 to ensure that we have a healthy and safe working environment. We therefore wish to use the summit to highlight areas of concern to us, look at best practice and urge non-compliant employers to work in line with the spirit of the Occupational Health and Safety Accord in order to improve our workplaces,” Lamati said.
He said the department had identified construction, agriculture as well as the food beverage sectors as among the riskiest in the country’s workplaces.
“We looked at the contribution of each sector in terms of accidents and claims to the Compensation Commission as well as the Federated Employers Mutual Association. The iron and steel was by far the highest and we then decided to convene a summit at which we will bring our heads together to curb the scourge before it is too late,” he said.
Enquiries:
Page Boikanyo
Cell: 082 809 3195
Issued by: Department of Labour
18 November 2009
