Construction worker dies after 9th floor plunge

The Labour Department is investigating the fatal injury of an Eastern Cape building construction worker who died after falling from a lift shaft in East London on Friday (Apr 25).

According to reports, Fernando Chevoto was busy pouring concrete for the form work at the 9th level of a hotel and apartment block site adjacent to the Regent Hotel on the city’s beach front when he plunged to the ground.

He died in the ambulance that was rushing him to hospital.

Labour inspectors immediately halted all construction work at the site, and ordered the erection of safety guard rails along open areas. But operations were later allowed after inspectors were satisfied that all open areas and lift shaft has been suitably barricaded.

The department is currently investigating whether the employer was fully compliant of Construction regulations and whether general occupational health and safety procedures were followed at the time of the accident.

This incident happens while the province prepares to host this year’s World Health and Safety Day on commemoration on May 9.

Organized by the Department and government’s social partners, the annual event will be held in Port Elizabeth under the theme “Managing risk in the work environment”, while its catch phrase “My life, my work and safe work” aims to sensitize both employers and workers on occupational health and safety in the workplace.