Labour Minister Membhathisi Mdladlana has expressed regret on the attack of a farm worker by lions in Mara Farm near Kestell in the Eastern Free State yesterday.
“It is very sad that people continue to get injured and some die in their places of work due to safety sloppiness,” said the minister.
Mdladlana said glaring lack of safety and health culture among South Africans was the biggest contributor to the rampant occupational accidents that workers continue to suffer in big numbers in their workplaces.
This comes in the wake of 62 year old farmworker, Ronald Odendaal, who escaped with serious injuries and currently in the intensive care unit at Medi-clinic in Bethlehem, after being attacked by lions while he was allegedly cleaning their cages.
According to preliminary investigations, the incident was caused by a faulty gate leading to the main lions’ camp which the victim was attempting to close when he was attacked.
Mdladlana says while the investigation is continuing, his department has also moved swiftly to ensure that all documentation was completed for the worker to receive medical care through its Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (Coida).
The minister has re-emphasised that occupational health and safety in the workplace remains a responsibility of everyone, including workers themselves, to avoid unnecessary injuries and possible loss of lives.
Enquiries:
Wisane Mavasa
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Mzobanzi Jikazana
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