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[ATLANTIS WESTERN CAPE] The Department of Employment and Labour in the Western Cape has closed Hisense, an electronics manufacturer based in Atlantis Industrial area.  Atlantis is approximately 50 kilometres from Cape Town CBD.

On Wednesday, 22 July, an inspection was conducted at Hisense which found them to be in contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act no. 85 of 1993.

The company was requested to present its risk assessment, however the assessment presented was an outdated document that did not speak to the latest COVID-19 regulations.  During a walk-about, it was also observed that the company did not follow some of the basic principles associated with the OHS Act and COVID-19 regulations.  The employer could not produce any sanitising plan which in turn affected the operations plant and the Department had no option but to close the entire plant due to non-compliances. Prohibition notices essentially means that no work may take place at the premises where the notice was served.   

Further interrogation revealed that a group of Chinese workers were cramped into a small space which contravened social distancing.  A temporary boardroom was also used to house a different group of employees and this also affected adequate social distancing from being practiced.  Ventilation was also affected due to certain staff being cordoned off.  It was also observed that there was no equal distribution of PPE at the company.

According to David Esau, Provincial Chief Inspector, the company is one of the major employers in the area and the non compliance to COVID-19 regulations may have a detrimental effect on the community at large. “All role-players need to play their part when its comes to slowing the spread of the disease".  He went on to say, “As part of reversing the prohibition notice, the employer must provide evidence that processes have been put in place to address all the concerns raised", he said. 

Esau confirmed that the focus has shifted to responding to complaints at various workplaces and encouraged workers to come forward to report non compliance.  “The Department is working closely with all partners to ensure compliance and prevent the spread of the disease at workplaces. The intention is to get businesses to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations as set out in the law". 

Further to the COVID Regulations the employer was also informed that they will be placed under a DG review as they could not produce any Employment Equity compliance documents and was provided with a notice to produce evidence of compliance within 14-days. Hisense employs approximately 400 workers, of which 37 are foreign workers.

A follow-up visit will be conducted by the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) inspectors once the employer has confirmed that all minimum standards have been put in place to ensure the safety of al its employees. If the inspector is satisfied with the efforts of the employer, the prohibition notice will be lifted.

OHS inspectors will continue to visit workplaces in the area to monitor compliance, act on tip-offs and implement the necessary actions where required.

 For more information contact:

Candice van Reenen

Provincial Communications

072 705 0440

OR

For more information contact:

David Esau

Provincial Chief Inspector

082 791 4485

“Please continue to adhere to the lockdown regulations. Stay home, wash your hands regularly and keep maintaining the social distance."

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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