01 Dec 2015

Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Edwin Batshu told Parliament that a factory inspection was carried out by officers from the Division of Occupational Safety and Health on November 23 on the bridge being constructed at Ramotswana border post

He said as a result of the inspection, it came to light that up to November 20, the contractor at the bridge at Ramotswa Border Post had been using a concrete mixing plant with a concrete casting capacity of 120-150 cubic metres of concrete per shift.

Minister Batshu further said the challenges with the plant were that it produced a lot of dust and noise, adding that although netting was used to block dust on the direction of offices, dust was still reported to be a problem during windy conditions, therefore, both employees and people crossing the border post were exposed to dust.

He said the degree to which the dust could have affected employees at the border post and people crossing the border would depend upon the period of exposure to it.

“At this stage no one, including employees has reported any symptoms that can be linked to construction dust,” he said.

Furthermore, he said on November 20 the contractor discontinued the use of the plant and replaced it with a smaller one that has a concrete casting of capacity of three cubic meters per shift which produces less to no dust and noise 

MP for Ramotswa Mr Samuel Rantuana had asked the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs if he was aware of the health hazards that the Ramotswa Border Gate staff are exposed to due to cement dust during the mixing of materials for construction of the bridge. Ends