EMPLOYEES at the North West Department of Health in Mahikeng are hesitant to return to work.
This after a co-worker allegedly vomited blood and struggled to breathe after inhaling smoke from the basement. The department then decided to send workers home indefinitely on Monday, 8 January due to a fire in the basement.
It was reported that the fire started in the basement where a set of fluorescent light bulbs were stored alongside other department promotional material.
“After he (the co-worker) realised there was a fire, he went there to help and see how it can be put out while the fire department officials were on their way. The next thing he vomitted blood. I hope he's okay,” said one of the staff members.
Another staff member said returning to work could put their lives in danger.
“There have been rumours since the incident, that those light bulbs have a dangerous powder and if inhaled one might get sick. They should have at least given us two more days,” she said.
North West health spokesman Tebogo Lekgethwane said a professional air quality specialist was called to assess the quality of air.
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“The outcome of the assessment will indicate whether to call the employees back to the offices,” he said.
He said employees were only required to report for work on Wednesday, 10 January because occupational health and safety was working with an air specialist to clear the smoke and provide a safe working environment.
He clarified that the employee affected by the smoke spent several times in the basement during the fire outbreak.
“The staff member who was rushed to the hospital was in the basement several times and took the fire department personnel to the scene. So, he inhaled smoke and struggled to breathe,” he said.
The employees also questioned whether compliance measures were in place, saying putting fluorescent light bulbs in the basement was a negligent decision. But Lekgethwane played it down.
“Firstly, the fire department recognised that the light bulbs were not supposed to have been stored in the basement. Also, there were boxes of promotional material placed in the basement. All these items were in transit and can't be reasons for non-compliance. General compliance of the building is still being evaluated,” said Lekgethwane.
