‘Filthy’ mining firm shut

HUIFAN Company Limited in Kalulushi has been shut down for operating under unsanitary conditions and offering accommodation to its employees within the workplace without authorisation.

Health inspectors discovered that Covid-19 preventive measures were not being followed contrary to the Public Health Act, Statutory Instrument number 21 and 22 of 2020, relating to the public Health (Infected Area) (Corona Virus Disease 2019).

Kalulushi Municipal Council issued the closure notice to the mining company based on revelations from the inspection.

Council Assistant Public Relations Manager, Lidah Kamanga, said that employees at the company were not in full personal protective clothing and had no face masks.

Ms Kamanga also said that the workers accommodated at the office premises slept on floor mats while the beddings were dirty.

“The rooms were not adequately ventilated and the employees are also operating without silicosis certificates.

“The kitchen and dining rooms are dirty and inhabitable and there is no provision of hand washing facilities around the premises,” Ms Kamanga said.

She added that it was also discovered that the toilets were being used without sex segregation and that faecal matter was found stored in some buckets.

Ms Kamanga also revealed that the offices had dirty and stained water closets and that a foul smell was emanating from the toilets while the drainages had stagnant and smelly water.

There was indiscriminate dumping of waste around the office surroundings.

“Based on these findings, the council has closed the premises of Huifan Company Limited as it poses a public health threat and directs the company to cease operations until all the irregularities are rectified,” she said.

Ms Kamanga however urged all business entities to operate under hygienic conditions and comply with the regulations.