The Provincial Disaster Management Centre in Bloemfontein, found to be unsafe for workers, but a fertile breeding ground for rats and birds, has been closed.
This took effect on Monday (06/06), and the use of this facility in Dr Belcher Road by the Free State government has been prohibited.
The Department of Labour closed the building after the inspection and enforcement services team discovered non-compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. It has emerged that the deteriorating conditions at the facility are due to neglect and lack of maintenance.
Cebisa Siyobi, spokesperson for the department, said there was a lack of adherence to basic occupational health and safety conditions. She said the responsible department had been issued with a notice to comply with the OHS Act before resuming use of the building.
“One section of the act empowers the labour inspector to issue a prohibition notice, declaring the building unsafe for use and occupation,” said Siyobi.
“The closure of the facility emanates from a reactive inspection, which was triggered by complaints and reports about occupational hazards in the building.”
The use of the facility was prohibited due to the following findings: collapsing ceilings, visible water leakages due to rain and exposed electrical wires.
“If these wires came into contact with water, it could result in the electrocution of occupants, possibly leading to fatalities.”
Siyobi said the concrete slab above the ground floor was found to be in an appalling condition.
“The slab has holes in it ,and one can see the ground floor through the concrete slab. The building is neither safe nor habitable and has become a fertile place for rats and birds’ nests.”
Manelisi Luxande, provincial chief inspector, stressed that the Labour Department had zero tolerance for non-compliance on occupational health and safety regulations by employers.
“The priority of the inspectorate is to safeguard the health and safety of employees and members of the community who visit the building,” he said.
The facility will remain closed until all safety issues have been addressed to the satisfaction of the labour inspector.
