Status on whether all offices / sites / entiteis of the department adheres to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

QUOTE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 1600

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER  NO: 20 OF 09 OCTOBER 2009
           
Mr KS Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

1.  Whether all offices / sites / entities of the department adheres to the Occupational Health and Safety Act; if not (a) why not, (b) which facilities failed to adhere to the Act, (c) where are they situated, (d) what aspects of the Act did each facility not comply with and (e) what action was taken in each regard?,
2. How often should each facility be inspected and when last was each facility inspected?

REPLY

1. Yes, In terms of International Law, the Occupational Health and Safety Act is not enforceable at our missions abroad. Missions must follow health and safety rules and regulations applicable in the host country.

2. Facilities are inspected by both the Department and the Private Party operating the facility on a monthly basis. A detailed inspection took place during the fist two weeks of September 2009, prior to the commencement of relocation into the new premises. An independent Certifier was furthermore appointed to certify the buildings’ compliance with Occupational Health and Safety, prior to relocation.

UNQOUTE