Department of Labour urges workers to value protective gear provided by their employers as it’s meant for their safety.
“It is the duty of every worker to look after their personal protective equipment (PPE) if they value their lives because the kit is meant to safeguard them while working in hazard prone workplaces. The equipment should be cared for same way as you are look after your own clothes,” says the Free State Chief Director- Provincial Operations, Marsha Bronkhorst.
The call comes after the weeklong blitz inspections last week targeting the construction sector revealed that some workers do not take proper care of their gear after using them. The equipment is left lying at work sites, dirty and some even exposed to harsh weather conditions such as rain and heat, which prematurely damages it.
“We are also urging employers to ensure that when issuing these PPEs they must make certain that workers take responsibility by producing old ones to show that there is indeed a need for new gear. This will assist in ensuring that workers also take charge of their safety,” adds Bronkhorst.
Labour inspectors issued 60 contravention and undertaking notices out of 193 workplaces inspected for health and safety violations that proved to be threat to workers’ safety. Some activities had to be halted in seven sites due to safety files not being available and some for expired medical fitness certificates.
Inspectors were among other things checking for compliance to health and safety measures, availability of risk assessment plans where required, scaffolding compliance, training of workers on health and safety issues and the provision of protective wear for workers.
Some of the main contraventions by employers pointed to no health and safety reps or committees being appointed, no qualified first aiders on site, no fire extinguishers, no protective wear being provided for workers and no medical fitness conducted to workers before assuming work.
Issued by:
Wisane Mavasa
Tel: 051 505 6284
Cell: 082 806 1351
Labour urges workers to care for their safety gear
