Photo by: BLOOMBERG
Shortly ahead of the introduction of a new dispensation for the registration of construction health and safety professionals in South Africa and the implementation of the construction work permit in terms of Construction Regulation 2014, the Department of Labour (DoL) says it has found that the construction industry has a less than 50% rate of compliance with health and safety regulations.
The DoL was unable to immediately provide the report upon which this statement was based.
DoL occupational health and safety chief director Tibor Szana last week appealed for further collaboration between industry and the department over health and safety compliance and enforcement.
“Today marks [the start of a] collaborative effort with the construction industry. The challenge is to step up inspection and enforcement.
“We need your assistance, [as] the unnecessary loss of life cannot be tolerated. It is imperative that the industry joins hands with the department to reverse the intolerable loss of life,” he said.