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The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)' National Health and Safety Structure together with the Western Cape regional leadership today visited and conducted a loco inspection at the CSV Construction Mitchell's Plain site of the fatal incident and met with the company's management to pave a wayforward.

The incident happened on the morning of last week Tuesday 11 October 2022, where two construction workers inhaled hazardous fumes from the sewage waste.

This resulted with the two workers losing their lives while one was still fighting for his life in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. 

Upon the visit after the incident, the NUM was met with hostility by the company representatives who refused to even engage with the union with claims that their head office instructed them not to.

The NUM leadership today undertook not to leave a single stone unturned in our mission to ensure that those who must provide a safe environment for the workers are held fully responsible.

The NUM's strength is to ensure that workers are always protected from health and safety hazards and where there is negligence the company must adequately account and effect compensation.

Those workers who passed away lost their lives toiling for crumbs for their daily survival whilst generating profits for the greedy exploitative capitalists who prioritize profits more than health and safety of their employees.

It is a common cause that the construction sector has a lackluster approach on the health and safety of workers. It is unfortunate that the Department of Employment and Labour appears to be treating this sector with kid gloves and not implementing harsh measures to management of construction companies that are not prioritizing compliance with the health and safety regulations. 

Owners and management in the construction companies  must be held liable for any injuries and loss of lives of workers in line of duty. We call on workers to unite to ensure that the attitude of employers of putting profits before health and safety of workers is stopped and is stopped now. Our unity remained our strength.

The NUM National Health and Safety Structure leadership sends its deepest condolences to the families, relatives, friends and colleagues of workers of CSV Construction. 

Issued by NUM