Question NW1462 to the Minister of Labour
11 July 2016 - NW1462
Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Labour
whether the (a) Chloorkop Primary School in Kempton Park in Gauteng and (b) the Gauteng Department of Education have adhered fully to her department’s asbestos Regulations, 2001, Government notice 155 of 10 February 2002; if not, in each case, which aspects of the specified regulations have not been adhered to; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the specified (a) school and (b) provincial department undertook (i) initial assessments and (ii) follow up assessments in line with Regulation 7 of the specified regulations, which pertains to the assessment of potential exposure, since the commencement of the specified regulations; if not, in each case, (aa) why not and (bb) what action did her department take to ensure compliance; if so in each case, (aaa) on which date(s) were each of the assessment reports completed and (bbb) what were the findings; (3) whether her department has ever visited the specified (a) school and /or (b) provincial department since the commencement of the specified regulations to ensure full compliance; if not, why not in each case; if so, on what dates in each case?
Reply:
1. During the inspection, the focus was on the complaints relating to structures, facilities and electrical installation. There were no records that were found at school indicating the presence of asbestos and the Deputy Principal also indicated that she was not aware of any presence of asbestos at the school
2. An inspection was conducted at Chloorkop Primary School in Kempton Park on the 25th of May 2016 by two Occupational Health and safety inspectors. Certificate of compliance could not be provided to the inspectors because the health and safety file of the school was in the possession Principal who was not present at the time of inspection.
3. Contravention and Improvement notices were issued to all areas of noncompliance that were identified and a follow up inspection was scheduled on the 25th July 2016 by a Senior Specialist in occupational health and hygiene.