Poison probe postponed - again

2007-12-03 18:06

Durban - A formal inquiry into the exposure of workers to poisonous fumes at the Assmang plant in Cato Ridge in KwaZulu-Natal was postponed again on Monday, the Labour Department said.

"Both the employers and workers have asked for a further postponement, so it will not go ahead today (Monday) as scheduled. A new date will be announced in due course," spokesperson Zolisa Sigabi said.

The inquiry forms part of the department's investigation which started in November last year after six workers were reported to be suffering from possible manganese poisoning, Sigabi said.

The first session of the inquiry took place on April 12 and 13 this year.

Sigabi explained earlier that manganese fumes or dust that is inhaled affected the central nervous system - and an intake of high concentrations caused a flu-like illness called manganese pneumonitis.

She said officials from the department who presided over the matter, requested that Assmang Ltd provide evidence in relation to the safety induction booklet for employees, the material safety data sheet, and the incident register for the past three years.

- SAPA