UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA

Directorate: Estate Services Division: Safety & Security Office: Health & Safety

MEMORANDUM
FROM: TO: DATE: SUBJECT: Mr. E. Sechogele Health & Safety Officer Mr. R. Hasheela Director: Estate Services 5, December 2012 Site Inspection Meeting at IT & Engineering Campus -Ongwediva

Dear Mr. Hasheela, On the 27th November 2012, we had a Site Inspection Meeting at the IT & Engineering Campus of the University of Namibia in Ongwediva where amongst others in relation to health and safety aspect and inspects I have observed the following: Introduction New Era Investments (Pty) Ltd, which are the main contractors, took us through the site, with the architects and sub-contractors mainly to ascertain the progress that has so far been reached and or inform us accordingly where and how far they are, and so to see what projects they are currently undertaking on phase II of the project. Here below are some of my observations: 1). Site Establishment: The site establishment was not set-up properly and is not in accordance with laid rules and legislature, this leads to old and previous contractors signage still up and the current contractors signage is not even displayed at all if any of the site entrances.

2). Emergency Assembly Area: The is no emergency assembly area on the site or even at where the offices of the contractor is, signage in this regard is not visibly

displayed and the are no evacuation route in case of an emergency or evacuation. No fire alarm and no fire fighting equipment on site. 3).Barricading: Totally there is no excess control nor control measures of any kind in this regard, especially taking into account that the site is a live site where it is exposed to students and lectures that walk pass by or through the site. Throughout the site you find open trances, staircases without hand rails, open edges and this can lead to serious health and safety implications and even putting the lives of those that are daily working on site at risk. 4).Public Safety: Clients, students, sub-contractors, lectures and even New Eras employers on sites safety is not assured, for people that come to visit or work on the site. 5). Induction: No induction is done on site for visitors and workforce, as this will help to identify hazards and risks that one may come upon. This would also help with changing the mind set of those involved at the site not cause any harm to themselves or colleagues for the course of safe working. 6). PPE: The workforce on site does not have a PPE (personal protective clothing), which can lead to lost of live, amputation, etc. The contractors and sub contractors are not easily identifiable because the is no uniformity as to who is doing what, and which company is which, and what company is doing what. The stakes are so high that the risks involved can even lead to a fatality at any time. 7). Safety Plan: No safety management plan was produce upon request, as this could be used as a guiding tool during construction. 8). Waste Management and Hygiene: No waste management programme is at hand to assist with waste disposal, control and management thereof, therefore the site is in a mess with building rubble all over. Used and new building materials and equipment are all scatted around and even in a case of emergency trip and fall hazards is a potential risk.

9). Inspection and registers: There is no inspection done and registers kept, as control measures to ensures a safe working environment which is a must, this clearly contravenes the Labour Act. 10). SHE Representatives and Safety Officers: For a magnitude project of this size it is advisable and clearly stated in the Namibian Labour Act no 11 of 2007, section 42. The employees in a workplace(a) With more than 10 but fewer than 101 employees, may elect from among themselves one health and safety representative; or (b)With 101 or more employees, may elect among themselves one health and safety representative for the first 100 employees in the workplace, and one additional representative for each additional 100 employees. With this said the contractor should be in par with laid legislature. 11). SHE Committee and meetings: The should be a SHE committee and meetings related to health and safety must be held at regular intervals, signed off and a copy forwarded to the office of the Health and Safety officer of the university for records keeping. This applies to sub-contractors too, all sub contractors must attend site meetings. 12).Stacking and Packing: Building materials and equipment are scatted all over the site and nothing is in place.

13). Wooden ladder: The use of a wooden ladder on the first floor is prohibited in the Occupational Health and Safety Rules and Regulations, which falls within the Namibian Labour Act no 11of 2007 should be removed from the site. 14).Flammable gas and liquids:

The use of Flammable gas and liquids should be strictly controlled, operated and stored in a secured place, as in this case they are exposed to environmental aspects lying around on the top floor. 15).First Aiders: No First Aiders to assist in case of emergency and emergency numbers displayed on site. Recommendation: The close off of the site until such time that the contractor is able to comply with laid rules and legislature, as currently the site pose a potential time bomb readily to explode. Joint consultation with the office of the Universitys Health and Safety Officer and all relevant stakeholders to help and give guide dance in the way forward. This project is big and needs closed supervision not only in terms of health and safety but time management and keeping up the standards that are set and would like to meet. That all contractual obligations are adhered to as stipulated.

Yours truly, Eglin

Eglin Sechogele Health and Safety Officer University of Namibia