Mary Papayya
Mary Papayya
eThekwini mayor Obed Mlaba yesterday called on industries in Durban to employ more proactive measures to ensure the safety of workers.
This after he and other senior government and business leaders visited the Assmang Ferromanganese Smelter in Cato Ridge - the site of an explosion that claimed the lives of six people.
Three workers remain in a critical condition in hospital after the deadly blast last weekend.
"It is disturbing that we continue to have such disasters, more proactive measures are clearly needed from industry owners to ensure the safety of workers," said Mlaba.
He said government needed a firmer commitment from industries that workers' lives would in future not be compromised.
He said a similar incident occurred last year when a fire broke out at an Engen refinery on the South Durban Basin.
"While that incident was without any injuries, it sent a message that we should all play our part in ensuring the safety of workers, it can't be done by government alone.
Department of labour Spokesman Zolisa Sigabi said a high-level investigation into the latest accident had been launched and operations on parts of the plant had been halted.
"Once an inquiry has been completed, labour inspectors will submit their report to the director of public prosecutions for a decision on whether to institute criminal charges."
Call to ensure workers' safety
Mary Papayya
Mary Papayya
eThekwini mayor Obed Mlaba yesterday called on industries in Durban to employ more proactive measures to ensure the safety of workers.
This after he and other senior government and business leaders visited the Assmang Ferromanganese Smelter in Cato Ridge - the site of an explosion that claimed the lives of six people.
Three workers remain in a critical condition in hospital after the deadly blast last weekend.
"It is disturbing that we continue to have such disasters, more proactive measures are clearly needed from industry owners to ensure the safety of workers," said Mlaba.
He said government needed a firmer commitment from industries that workers' lives would in future not be compromised.
He said a similar incident occurred last year when a fire broke out at an Engen refinery on the South Durban Basin.
"While that incident was without any injuries, it sent a message that we should all play our part in ensuring the safety of workers, it can't be done by government alone.
Department of labour Spokesman Zolisa Sigabi said a high-level investigation into the latest accident had been launched and operations on parts of the plant had been halted.
"Once an inquiry has been completed, labour inspectors will submit their report to the director of public prosecutions for a decision on whether to institute criminal charges."
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