A team of inspectors from the Department of Labour in Limpopo has been dispatched to conduct an inspection on companies that are potentially exposing their employees to silica dust in the non mining sector. The weeklong inspection, which will commence on 21 to 25 February 2011, will see forever wary inspectors targeting areas such as Makhado, Tzaneen, Burgersfort, and Musina amongst the others.
According to Jabu Mhlophe, a Health and Hygiene Manager within the department, the inspection will be aimed at determining the level of exposure of employees to respirable silica dust and assisting these companies in developing programs to eliminate silicosis in the workplaces.
The non mining industries which will be glued on during this inspection include amongst others, foundry, refractory, ceramic and sandstone producing industries.
Mhlophe highlighted that the exposure to silica dust might potentially cause lung disease like for instance silicosis which are not only irreversible but incurable. “But this disease can be prevented through the control of worker exposure to dust crystalline silica,” she added.
“The inspection will also assist in profiling all the industries that have the potential to expose the employees to respirable silica dust nationally,” Mhlophe added.
Enquiries:
Johannes Mokou
Cell: 083 494 2180
Tel: 015 290 1603
E-mail: johannes.mokou@labour.gov.za
Source: Department of Labour
