Cheetah Cement resumes work

ON Monday, the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation granted permission to the Chinese-owned Cheetah Cement plant at Otjiwarongo to resume operations.

This comes after the ministry ordered the company to cease operations on 10 May 2022, due to health concerns.

Acting executive director Lydia Indombo said the closure followed a number of inspections in terms of basic conditions of employment and occupational health and safety regulations by the ministry.

“Employees are not provided with suitable personal protective equipment such as hearing protection for excavator operators, kidney belt for back support and masks designed for mining operations, where excessive dust was evident,” she said.

Indombo said the company never investigated or identified the hazards and risks attached to the work.

“The employer failed to provide first aid and emergency arrangements. The employer failed to provide employees with necessary information and training to work safely and without health risks in the mine,” she said.

Indombo added that mining trucks were operated without proper tyre handling tools and machinery, and there is insufficient lighting in the workshop area.

“The ministry has conducted verification inspections on 16 and 20 May 2022, to evaluate the compliance on the identified shortfalls and is satisfied with the level of compliance,” she said.

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