Department of Labour issues prohibition notice at Durban building site where workers died
The Department of Labour has issued a prohibition notice against the construction site in Jacobs, South of Durban, where three workers died and five others were seriously injured yesterday when the building collapsed.
The prohibition notice effectively stops any further construction work being undertaken at the site until the Department of Labour has completed its investigation.
The prohibition notice may be lifted or amended once the inspection team concludes that the site is safe.
Yesterday (28 March 2018), workers were conducting their duties at the site when the building allegedly collapsed and the slabs fell on top the workers.
Three workers died while five were injured and rushed to hospital. Emergency response teams, including eThekwini Fire and SAPS Search and Rescue Unit using sniffer dogs worked tirelessly to remove the bodies of the deceased workers.
This morning, 29 March 2018, the Department of Labour's inspection team held a meeting with all the stakeholders involved in the incident, including the client, principal contractor, sub-contractors, as well and SAPS, Metro Police and eThekwini Fire.
During the meeting, it emerged that one worker has been discharged from hospital; one is in Intensive Care Unit (ICU); and two others are in the general ward.
The Department of Labour is investigating the incident in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations. If anyone is found to have contravened the Act or its regulations, a recommendation to prosecute will be made to the National Prosecuting Authority.
Contact:
Teboho Thejane
Cell: 082 697 0694
