The Public Servants Association (PSA) met with forensic pathology officers on 13 July after employees at the Bloemfontein Government Mortuary had raised concerns about unsafe working conditions.

This follows the prohibition order issued in 2024.

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Aubrey Nappie, spokesperson for the PSA, said they welcomed the Department of Employment and Labour’s interventions following serious occupational health and safety concerns.

“Employees reported that although one dissection hall was allowed to reopen following the mortuary’s closure in 2024, conditions remained unsuitable for safe operations. Key concerns include a non-functional ventilation system, extreme temperatures in the dissection hall, a lack of hot and warm water for hygiene and operational purposes, and faulty electrical wiring that prevents the safe use of equipment,” Nappie explains.
 
Following the PSA’s engagement with management and the Department of Employment and Labour, a labour inspector confirmed on 15 July that the original prohibition order issued in 2024 remained in force.

After assessing the current conditions, the department ordered the immediate closure of the operational dissection hall, whilst the administration block remains open.
 
“The PSA supports this decision and maintains that no employee should be required to work in conditions that endanger their health, safety and wellbeing. To ensure continuity of services, there has been agreed upon temporary measures.

“These include the use of the Botshabelo Hospital dissection hall, the provision of appropriate personal protective equipment, and a temporary operational arrangement to be implemented whilst corrective measures are implemented.”