Sheq Africa » SHEQ News for Africa

 


Court Cash Hall’s Health & Safety Problems

August 21st, 2008

South Africa. An employee‘s complaints about poor ventilation caused the cash hall at the Knysna Magistrate‘s Court to be closed down for days.

Since last Thursday it was closed in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after an employee complained to the Department of Labour that her working environment was making her ill.

But after air-conditioners were apparently switched on, the cash hall was reopened yesterday and about 100 members of the public queued up for service.

Labour lawyer Leonie Baynes, representing Denise Burmeister who worked in the cash hall but has since resigned, yesterday said the matter had been brought to the attention of the department of justice
as early as 2003.

The labour department inspected the premises in November 2006 and issued a notice to the justice department, and specifically to the Knysna court manager, instructing them to take steps within 60 days to
rectify the problem.

The Labour Department said failure to comply with requirements would constitute a criminal offense. The letter was received and signed for by the court manager on January 17 last year.

The windows inside the hall can only open a few centimetres.

Baynes is taking further legal steps in Burmeister‘s labour complaint.

Source: The Herald Online

By: Katherine Wilkinson


Print This Post Print this post    Tell a friend Email this article

Related Posts

  • Court Cash Hall’s Health & Safety Problems
    South Africa. An employee‘s complaints about poor ventilation caused the cash hall at the Knysna Magistrate‘s Court to be closed down for days. Since last Thursday it was closed in terms of the O
     
  • Poor Ventilation Vs. Dept. Of Justice (Part II)
    South Africa. Knysna Department of Justice employee Denise Burmeister will take her case of constructive dismissal to the Labour Court after the department this week informed a conciliation hearing th
     
  • Company fined R30 000
    A company based in Tzaneen, Limpopo, has been slapped with a R30 000 fine for failing to comply with health and safety regulations. According to Albert Tshidavhu, the provincial labour department's e
     
  • E.C. Health Department’s Medical Waste
    South Africa. The Auditor General has provided a picture of wholesale financial mismanagement in the Eastern Cape Health department. His reports were tabled along with the annual reports in the provi
     
  • Red Cards for Food Industry
    South Africa. The KwaZulu Natal Department of Labour labeled the Food and Beverage industry "High Risk" after a recent week-long inspection which revealed breaches of the Occupational Health and Safet
     

Comments

  1. Poor Ventilation Vs. Dept. Of Justice (Part II) | SHEQ Africa (2008-10-10)   

    [...] earlier reported here about this [...]


Leave a Reply

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

Events Newsletter

SHEQ Solutions




Quote

Sheq Articles


SABS Approved condoms fail again

SA health... Continue Reading...

Massmart and SABS certify SME supplier quality

Massmart Walmart and SABS entered a joint venture to certify SME product suppliers to a cheap, entry level quality management... Continue Reading...

Ghana needs OHS umbrella organisation

Ghana needs... Continue Reading...

Investigation into Necsa Workers’ Allegations

It’s been a long hard road but there could be light at the end of the tunnel for former workers... Continue Reading...

People Injured in Gas Explosion

Thirteen people were hurt in a gas explosion followed by a fire in the kitchen area of the Mugg &... Continue Reading...

Reader Photos

  • aircraft5aircraft3aircraft2aircraft1Fire at Engen refinery in DurbanBlaze at Engen refinery in DurbanTook the corner too fastNose jobYou're in my parking spaceHelp me sweep this road