Kwanalu has welcomed the labour department’s recent labour inspection drive that will focus on all KZN employers in the agriculture and forestry sector as they embark on the Occupational Health and Safety Compliance Campaign, which started on 25 February. “The department has always been ready to assist employees to ensure they are treated fairly and to assist employers to make sure they are fulfilling their obligations,” said Kwanalu head, Robert Barnsley. “With all the legal elements that govern labour relations today, the department has been supportive in assisting farmers and helping them do things properly.”
Department spokesperson Zolisa Sigabi said in the past two years, KZN has recorded 17 fatal accidents and 146 injuries in the agriculture and forestry sectors. “The implementation of health and safety standards on farms will be closely scrutinised given the types of risks employees are exposed to when it comes to the use of machinery, herbicides and pesticides as well as falling trees during felling operations.” She said inspectors will focus on compliance issues like the appointment of health and safety representatives/committees, keeping of documents, dealing with hazardous materials, personal protective equipment, tools, machinery and equipment, first-aid, lighting, ventilation, fire protection, evacuation procedures and hygiene.
“We have a provincial labour forum run by the department and represented by all the stakeholders in the agricultural sector, which allows us regular contact with the department,” said Barnsley. “This ensures on-farm protocol is followed during inspections. There may have been isolated incidents in the past, but in general we have a good working relationship with them.” The labour department also conducted a blitz in Limpopo where it identified gross labour law violations. Employers said officials ignored on-farm protocol during their investigations. – Cornelia du Plooy
