Probe Of KZN Manganese Poisoning Case To Resume

The Labour Department’s formal enquiry into the exposure of workers to poisonous fumes at the Assmang plant in Cato Ridge, Durban is set to resume next Monday (Feb 25).

The five-day inquiry at the Cato Ridge Country Club is a sequel to the Department’s November 2006 probe that had been triggered by reports of five workers believed to be suffering from possible manganese poisoning.

The Section 32 Formal Inquiry as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 aims to finalise and establish:

-   the level of manganese fumes or dust exposure to the workers

-   whether the employer has fulfilled the legal obligation of preventing exposure as prescribed  in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 and Hazardous Chemicals Substances Regulations.

-    whether control mechanisms were put in place by the employer

-    who will be held responsible for the exposure

-   the necessary preventative measures to be implemented to prevent a re-occurrence of a similar nature.

The main purpose of the inquiry is to establish the possible causes of manganism at the Assmang Cato Ridge Works in Durban and the necessary remedial action to be taken by the company to address these issues.