Timeslive reports that Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) has reassured residents that the company’s Somerset West site‚ where eight people were killed in an explosion last Monday‚ presents “absolutely no risk” to the surrounding area and communities.
“In all instances RDM complies with and exceeds national (Department of Labour) and international safety standards‚” the manufacturer and supplier of munitions and explosive-related products said in a statement on Saturday. It stated that the building where the blast occurred was used to make a propellant as part of the production process. “Importantly‚ the chemicals which are used in this process are present in the air and therefore will not negatively affect air quality.” It added that there were about 400 buildings on the Somerset West site‚ each designed in such a way that if there was an incident‚ it would not affect the surroundings. The company also indicated that staff members were continuing to receive trauma counselling and had been sharing messages for the affected families in a condolences book that had been placed in the Somerset West site’s foyer. The names of the deceased will only be released once the identification process has been concluded and only after consultation with the individual families who have been affected.
- Read this report in full at Timeslive
- See too, Prayers, black armbands as munitions plant workers mourn colleagues, at News24
- And also, Tears and anger at memorial for Denel blast victims, at Timeslive
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page