Department of Employment and Labour Inspectors recently shut down several government departments in Limpopo due to non-compliance, including its own Department of Employment and Labour office in Makhado.
The department this week said it recently prohibited the use of the building located on 10 Molotto street in Bela-Bela accommodating the Department of Cooperative Governance, Bela-Bela Local Municipality, and the Department of Home Affairs in the Waterberg district.
“The prohibition notice comes after the occupational health and safety (OHS) inspector discovered during an inspection that the building poses an immediate danger of collapse to both clients and staff members due to major wall cracks across the building.
“Further, the inspector prohibited the Department of Home Affairs from using the electrical installation which has exposed live wires in multiple areas, and frequent tripping of protection circuits which poses risk to employees’ health and safety.”
The Department of Employment and Labour’s office in Makhado was also found wanting by the OHS inspector after it was discovered during the routine inspection that the building lacks active mechanical or natural ventilation posing immediate danger to the health and safety of people, the department said.
“The office was also issued with a contravention notice for non-compliance with OHS regulations pertaining to general administrative regulations, general safety regulations, electrical installation regulations, environmental regulations for workplace, and facilities regulations. The contravention notice will require the employer to comply within sixty days from the date of the notice.
“Subsequently, the building accommodating Thohoyandou Labour Centre was also issued with a prohibition notice last week due to the fire-alarm which indicates a supply fault, the live DB board which has exposed wires and without certificate of compliance for the electrical installations. The fire-alarm is to be attended by a registered and competent person as per the notice served.”
The department’s chief director for provincial operations (CD:PO) Phaswane Tladi said it was unfortunate that buildings housing government offices have to be closed during a time when clients require services.
“The department is working around the clock to ensure that areas of non-compliance as indicated by OHS inspectors are attended to with speed. The health and safety of both employees and clients is our top priority,” said Tladi.
Tladi also commended the work of the inspectorate for working without fear or favour in ensuring that every workplace is treated equally irrespective of their designation.
“Inspectors are responsible for preventing any fatalities that may result under such circumstances and we trust in their expertise to ensure that we provide conducive working environments for our staff and clients,” Tladi said.
Cape Times