Labour inspectors wrap up cableway accident investigation
Labour inspectors wrap up cableway accident investigation
Released by Chief Directorate of Communication on 08 January
2004
The Department of Labour is in the process of wrapping up its
investigations into the cause of a cableway accident that injured two
people last Friday in Hartbeespoort in the North West. The final report
on the accident is expected to be finalised in the next four
weeks.
Earlier this week the Department enlisted the services of the
South African Police Service Forensic Team to collect technical data
that will help shed light on why a cable-car carrying the two injured
plunged 18 metres from the mountaintop near Hartbeespoort Dam.
The Department's Occupational Health and Safety inspectors who
visited the scene of the accident, immediately slapped the cableway
company - Hartbeespoort Kabospoor - with a prohibition notice halting
all operations pending investigations.
The South African Police Forensic Team is currently evaluating the
evidence. However, the Department of Labour inspectors are still
collecting information from the scene and interviewing
eyewitnesses.
The prohibition order will not be revoked until labour inspectors
are satisfied that the cableway operator meets all safety requirements
in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Once the final reports are completed, they will be forwarded to
the Justice Department with recommendations.
The injured -Doula Botha and Theodore Louw of Eldorado Park in
Johannesburg - suffered multiple injuries from the incident and are
recovering at Unitas hospital in Pretoria.
Minister Mdladlana said it was the ANC led government?s
prerogative to protect workers and the public from all forms of health
and safety hazards and the government will continue to ensure that
companies comply with the country's health and safety regulations at
all time.
"I wish to urge all members of the community to stay alert and
report any suspicions of safety violations to my Department so that we
can make follow-up investigations and where necessary take action
against offenders", said Minister Mdladlana.
|
|
