05 May 2014

Kalcon Construction Company recently celebrated one million Lost Time Injury (LTI) free hours at their Kasane airport project site.

The company, which has been contracted for improvements at Kasane airport, is about 95 per cent complete on their project. Kalcon representative, Mr Frederich De Wet said at the event that the company had zero tolerance for LTI hence they always put safety of their employees first.

“We want the project to be complete without any LTI,” he said pleading to staff to ensure that this becomes a reality. Safety manager, Mr Simon Chidziba noted that this achievement was a big milestone as companies in other countries have less than impressive records.

He also encouraged staff to carry on with the “safety first mentality” wherever they would go when the project folds in June. District commissioner for Chobe, Dr Temba Mmusi praised the company for having less work relations disputes compared to others he has worked with in the past.

“I have worked with other establishments in the past and I have been inundated with labour relations issues but I do not recall any complaint from Kalcon,” he noted. Regional labour officer, Mr Lackson Likokoto however cautioned Kalcon to fulfill some of the promises they had made to their employees after one of them had complained about mosquito nets they had requested before. 

“No matter how small the promise is it must be delivered,” he warned. He noted that ten cases had been registered in his office regarding employee disputes at Kalcon. He encouraged Kalcon to engage the labour department in such issues before they are registered at their offices.

He also warned employees to ensure that they play their role of wearing protective clothes.  “It is wrong for an employee not to wear their protective clothing and it is also wrong for an organisation not provide safety clothing,” he said.

Kasane Airport project commenced in November 2011 and is expected to be completed by June 2014 at the cost of P259 million. Ends