The government calls on organizations to comply with occupational health and safety rules

The Department of Labor and Employment said it aims to prioritize the health and safety of workers and everyone in the workplace.

This comes after the George Building collapse in the Western Cape, where 34 people were confirmed dead.

Nineteen others remain unaccounted for and 28 are recovering in various hospitals and homes.

Department spokesperson Tebogo Thejane said: “With lives lost and people trapped, this incident has prompted a call to action for organizations to reassess their health and safety protocols and practices.

“As we reflect on this tragic event, it is necessary to reiterate the principle that no job is worth risking the safety or lives of workers.

“Every effort should be made to prevent similar incidents in the future.”

Thejane added that it is critical to redouble efforts to promote a culture of safety, vigilance and responsibility in organizations.

Commitment to health and safety is essential

“It is our collective responsibility to honor the memory of those who died by ensuring that their lives were not in vain.

“It is essential to strengthen the commitment to occupational health and safety. Together, let us ensure that such tragedies do not happen again,” he appealed.

In terms of the department’s processes, Thejane said, the department will await the official handover of the site to allow its officers to continue investigations under Sections 31 and 32 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Over the weekend, the Sunday World reported that many other workers escaped the tragedy and went into hiding out of fear for their lives.

They said they did not want to be questioned about how they avoided the building’s collapse.

Activities are also underway to determine the causes of the building’s collapse.

NHBRC registered construction company

National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) spokesperson, Portia Sebulela, said Liatell, the construction company responsible for the project, is registered with the NHBRC.

The NHBRC does not classify home builders.

“The investigation (into the building collapse) is ongoing. As the regulator of the home building industry, the NHBRC’s mandate is to protect housing consumers and regulate home builders,” Sebulela said.

“The collapse of the George Building is the worst construction disaster of our times. This is a matter of concern and study.

“NHBRC sends its sincerest condolences to all those affected by this ordeal.”

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