Press Statement dated 26 August 2019
The Public Servants Association (PSA) is outraged by the continuous breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) by government after a building that accommodates employees of the Limpopo Department of Rural Development and Land Reform in Polokwane nearly burned down when a fire started during the night on 21 August 2019.
The PSA immediately visited to building to do an assessment and is concerned about the state of government buildings and the issue of the employer disregarding the safety of employees and not adhering to the OHSA. According to the assessment done by the PSA, the fire could have started from the air conditioning mounted on the wall. The said air conditioning is burned as well as the wall. Upon further enquiry, no one was injured. A passer-by noticed the fire and alerted the security officials and fire fighters.
The PSA further had a brief meeting with the Senior Manager and requested that employees should be released until the building is declared safe to work. The PSA will not allow members to continue working in the same building until necessary measures are put in place to ensure safety of members. The PSA further engaged the department of Labour for the assessment of the building before members can start working.
The PSA calls for the Premier and the Department of Public Works to ensure that buildings occupied by members are safe and meet the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The PSA will be monitoring the situation.
Issued by Public Servants Association (PSA)