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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne section of the act empowers the labour inspector to issue a prohibition notice, declaring the building unsafe for use and occupation,\u201d said Siyobi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe closure of the facility emanates from a reactive inspection, which was triggered by complaints and reports about occupational hazards in the building.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The use of the facility was prohibited due to the following findings: collapsing ceilings, visible water leakages due to rain and exposed electrical wires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf these wires came into contact with water, it could result in the electrocution of occupants, possibly leading to fatalities.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Siyobi said the concrete slab above the ground floor was found to be in an appalling condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe 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\u2019 nests.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manelisi Luxande, provincial chief inspector, stressed that the Labour Department had zero tolerance for non-compliance on occupational health and safety regulations by employers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe priority of the inspectorate is to safeguard the health and safety of employees and members of the community who visit the building,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The facility will remain closed until all safety issues have been addressed to the satisfaction of the labour inspector.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Provincial Disaster Management Centre in Bloemfontein, found to be unsafe for workers, but a fertile breeding ground for rats and birds, has been 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