National
Tongaat contractor broke law since 2003: Department─── 12:39 Tue, 03 Mar 2015
Tongaat - The commission of inquiry looking into the partial collapse of the Tongaat Mall has heard that businessman Jay Singh has been in contravention of the Construction Regulation Act which states that the labour department needs to be informed of intent to commence construction work.
Presiding officer, Phumudzo Maphaha's been grilling Singh, who's under cross examination on his role as the contractor on the site of the mall. Saleem Khan representing Singh says that safety consultant Ismail van Zyl by his own testimony last year was informed by a representative from the labour department who visited the site, that it was not necessary to notify them because it was a private construction.
Maphaha says Singh was ultimately responsible because he never delegated those responsibilities by making any legal appointments in writing.
Earlier, Maphaha raised concerns over three documents relating to the safe execution of construction that have not been produced, despite numerous requests.
Earlier, Maphaha raised concerns over three documents relating to the safe execution of construction that have not been produced, despite numerous requests.
These documents include the health and safety specifications, health and safety plan and risk assessment which outlines how construction work will be carried out safely. Singh's explained that he hired a labour consultant to monitor the safety of the project.
While Maphaha stressed that according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the onus falls on Singh as the contractor, to ensure that all safety measures are in place to maintain a working environment that is safe and without risk to employees.
East Coast Radio
Phumudzo Maphaha:
