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10 December 2007

The Labour Department this week granted a further postponement of the formal enquiry into the exposure of workers to poisonous fumes at the Assmang plant in Cato Ridge, Durban from 3 to 7 December 2007 to February, 2008.The inquiry forms part of an investigation by the Department which started in November 2006 when five workers were reported to be suffering from possible manganese poisoning.

The postponement comes after Assmang Ltd, the National Union of Mineworkers-South Africa (NUMSA), Solidarity Union and Richard Spoor on behalf of the workers filed individual requests for yet another postponement of the hearing citing reasons that more time was required to reach agreement during negotiations between the employer and employees.

Disappointed at the requests, the department has vowed that it would not grant any further adjournment as sufficient time was already given to both parties with guidance in order to proceed with the Section 32 inquiry of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Reports received thus far do not seem to address the main purpose of the inquiry which has been set up to establish the possible causes of manganism at the Assmang Cato Ridge Works in Durban and the necessary remedial action to be taken by the company to address these issues.

The first sitting took place on the 12 April 2007 and was then adjourned to 9 to 11 July 2007. Following the two postponements of 8 to 12 October 2007 and 3 to 7 December 2007, the department has intimated to both parties that the inquiry will go on in February 2008, whether a report is received or not so that the matter reaches finality without any further delays.

Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
E-mail: zolisa.sigabi@labour.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Labour
10 December 2007
Source: Department of Labour (http://www.labour.gov.za)