COUNSELLING AFTER WORKER FALLS FROM SCAFFOLDING, DIES

MBABANE - Hancy Construction Company has promised its employees counselling a day after one of their colleagues died after falling from scaffolding while plastering at Mona Flats.

The incident which happened on Monday evening, left the employees traumatised. It was, therefore, unclear as to whether they would be able to cope the following day at work. To try and calm down the employees, the company decided to engage a psychologist to assist them before returning to work.

Confirmed

This was confirmed by Hancy Construction Foreman; Bonginkosi Zwane, when he was asked about the steps taken by the company to try and help those employees who witnessed the death of their colleague. He stated that they had met with their superiors to have a discussion on the matter and about the way forward. “The employees were called yesterday morning for a serious discussion about a way forward, after the incident that claimed a life. The reason for the counselling is to help all those who were traumatised following the incident. We have resolved that they must all see a psychologist before they resume their work. This means everyone is expected to take part in the counselling session,” said Zwane.

Comment

One employee, who preferred to comment on condition of anonymity, said they were called by their superiors’ yesterday morning, where they were told that they must all undergo a counselling session. He also stated that they were expected to start their counselling sessions today. “Everyone is expected to go for counselling after the incident. We were told by our superiors that no one would be allowed to return to work unless we attended the counselling session.

Suspend

Zwane said the company decided to suspend its operation until further notice. He said the reason was to allow safety inspectors to do their investigation on the cause of the incident. The foreman did not specify the time frame when they were expected to continue building the structure, which was half way through. One impeccable source found on the site yesterday said an investigation was expected to commence as soon as possible with the aim of gathering all the facts about the incident. The source also revealed that it was going to take time for the company to resume its operation. Zwane confirmed that Hancy’s employees were not on duty as of yesterday and did not specify as to when they were expected to return to work.

Passing

Tibiyo TakaNgwane Managing Director Dr Absalom Themba Dlamini said they had received the sad news from Mandla Zwane of Tibiyo Properties (PTY) Ltd, on the passing on of a worker at Mona Flats on Monday after he fell from the building while plastering. He said it was an unfortunate incident. “We got a report about the man who is said to be the owner of a sub-contractor who fell from the building. Hhawu uvele wabuya liwonkhe letulu, after the scaffolding broke down. We are saddened by the incident,” said Dlamini. Mona Flats is owned by Tibiyo Properties. The name of the deceased will not be revealed as efforts to trace his family were futile.

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