Dept finds flouting of health and safety laws at site of collapsed wall

Preliminary investigations by the Department of Labour into Stellenbosch Waterscape’s fatal incident  revealed serious contraventions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, the department has announced today (Tues).  Inspectors combed the site since last night in search of answers to the collapse of the wall of a 60 year-old building that was being renovated, killing at least three workers.  Spokesperson Zolisa Sigabi said inspectors found that :,

No notification to the department of Construction Work to be undertaken  

there was no risk assessment plan on site, nor documents relating to administration and operations of the project as required by law.

no demolition work Supervisor or competent persons to supervise demolition work

no design or drawing and or calculations of the support work structure on site.

About 20 people working for Gaza bouwers (Sub Contractor) were renovating an old warehouse which is believed to be more than 60 years when an interior wall collapsed during the demolition yesterday (Mon).  At least one person was initially confirmed dead while two others remained trapped under the concrete rubble.  Rescue workers were working round the clock to recover the bodies.  One of the four seriously injured workers is believed to have since died in hospital.

The Sub-Contractor Gaza Bouwers has been contracted by Lavita Builders who have since been identified as the Principal Contractor.

Sigabi added, “Our investigations also point to failure to provide adequate support work to sustain the estimated load of 150 ton concrete slab, absence of a demotion plan and method thereof, as some of the possible reasons for the fatal incident.”  

The department’s probe continues.