In a bid to empower Road Rangers, the Eastern Cape Department of Transport has started a two day training programme on Occupational Health and Safety for all Rangers in the province.
The training started on 3 February 2011 for 117 Amathole District Rangers at Schorneville Hall in King Williams Town and will be rolled out to other districts.
This is a job-related initiative which is meant to equip rangers about among others, the importance of using of personal protective equipment, such as reflective clothing, helmets and other equipment designed to protect them from injuries by blunt impacts and snake bites.
The purpose of the Road Ranger programme is to reduce road accidents, monitor stray animals through community involvement and guard against theft of road fences erected by government.
It also aims to create awareness and ownership of road safety in communities especially in rural areas, assist in socio- economic development in rural population and the alleviation of poverty.
The department has employed 605 community members as road rangers around the province who are provided with binoculars, reflective protective clothing and red flags and they get a monthly stipend of R3 000.00.
Their scope of work includes:
- Fixing and maintaining fence and gates along the road
- Reporting accidents
- Assisting in scholar patrol and road crossings
- Linking with Traffic Control, South African Police Service
