TV tells workers of poison risk

2007-04-13 20:21

Durban - Workers at a KwaZulu-Natal manganese smelter had never been informed of manganese poisoning by their employer, heard a department of labour enquiry in Cato Ridge on Friday.

They first heard of the dreaded disease when watching a television programme showing the debilitating effects of the disease.

Richard Spoor, an attorney representing several workers at the Assmang Ltd ferromanganese works in Cato Ridge, said: "That was the first time any of them knew that there was a risk".

Spoor was addressing the inquiry during cross-examination of the company's chief executive officer Bryan Broekman on the second day of the enquiry.

The public inquiry follows reports of six cases of manganism at the Assmang ferro-manganese smelter plant in Cato Ridge.

Spoor asked Broekman what measures the company had taken to inform employees of manganism - acquired by overexposure to airborne manganese.

It affects the sufferer's central nervous system, leaving them with symptoms very similar to Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis (MS).

'Failing to provide adequate warning'

The disease was first recognised among miners in Scotland in 1835.

In the US welders have accused the manufacturers of failing to provide adequate warning that their products could lead them to develop manganism.

Spoor said that his clients, about 40 Assmang workers, had never heard of the disease from their employer prior to the airing of an SABC Special Assignment broadcast in April 2005.

Spoor claimed the first time that workers had been formally warned of manganism was in October 2006 when a circular was distributed to all workers.

- SAPA