Thursday, May 20, 2010

Workplace safety a joint responsibility - Labour Minister

Workplace safety a joint responsibility - Labour Minister: "Workers' unions should play an active role in preventing the high-rate of workplace accidents and fatalities that are plaguing the construction industry, Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana urged, at the launch of government's week-long occupational health and safety inspection of the construction sector which kicked off in August.

Mdladlana made the plea to workers at the construction site of the 2010 stadium, Soccer City in Nasrec, south of Johannesburg, where he launched the Department of Labour's five-day countrywide occupational health and safety inspection blitz.

The 2010 Soccer World Cup, to be hosted by South Africa, has seen a huge increase in construction activity throughout the country, as well as an increase in accidents and fatalities in a sector that has a reputation for poor occupational health and safety practice."