Assmang inquiry delayed for negotiations

Vuli Sibisi, chairperson of the Labour Department inquiry, has agreed to adjourn the meeting until October 8. But he said firm deadlines should be agreed on to prevent any more workers being exposed to manganese poisoning. He also made it clear he would proceed with the inquiry in October if he is not satisfied with the proposals. The company has acknowledged that at least 10 workers have been diagnosed so far with manganism, a severely debilitating disease linked to excessive exposure to manganese dust and fumes. Attorney Richard Spoor, who is representing the workers, says about 50 former or present staff members are showing symptoms. Full report in The Mercury (subscription needed)

The owners of the Assmang manganese processing plant were warned as early as 1995 about the dangers of high levels of dust at the plant. According to a report on the FIN24 site, Harold Gayze, of occupational hygienist Occutech, confirmed that his firm had assessed risk at Assmang every two years between 1995 and 2001, as required by the law. ‘The total dust levels which include manganese were too high. We suggested that in some areas they should give their workers respiratory protection as an interim solution because the measures that we suggested which cost millions would have taken time to implement.’ Jan Steenkamp, an executive director at Assmang, has admitted that Occutech had warned the company. ‘ Full report on the FIN24 site