George Herald

Definitely not business as usual

- Alida de Beer

The George and Thembaleth­u court buildings and George Link are among those that were shut down by the Western Cape Department of Health and Labour last Wednesday, 8 July.

The department was compelled to act after complaints about businesses that do not comply with the Occupation­al Health and Safety (OHS) Act no. 85 of 1993 and/or Covid-19 regulation­s. According to provincial chief inspector David

Esau, various businesses in George were inspected last week and a few businesses - or parts that were identified as danger zones were closed until further notice, as they did not comply with the regulation­s.

The inspection team visited 35 workplaces in George, 20 in Knysna and two in

Mossel Bay. Checkers in Knysna was shut down but has since reopened. "Our focus last Wednesday was on government department­s and we could clearly see that much work still needs to be done," Esau said. "We are planning to visit the court buildings as soon as they are ready for us and their reopening depends on whether they have everything in place."

Esau said there is an increase in the number of positive cases in workplaces, especially at old age homes and supermarke­ts. "It is worrying that the state institutio­ns do not apply the law correctly and we have made it clear that when we come again, we will definitely take further action. Employers have to understand that we are trying to stop the spread of the virus and this can only be done if they apply isolation and decontamin­ation properly before they reopen after a positive case."

According to a statement issued by the department last Tuesday, some businesses in Knysna had received a reality check a few weeks ago when their operations were shut down due to non-compliance with the

OHS Act and Covid-19 regulation­s.

Continual inspection­s will be carried out by occupation­al health and safety inspectors throughout the province to ensure that minimum standards have been put in place to ensure the safety of both employees and, in certain work environmen­ts, the safety of clients as well.

Our focus last Wednesday was on government department­s and we could clearly see that much work still needs to be done.

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