Solidarity expresses concern about manganese exposure

By Henry Booysen
05 March 2008

Solidarity has expressed its outmost concern with regards to the levels of manganese at mines in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans says the concern follows after 40 employees at a Manganese plant were poisoned.

“We believe the levels of exposure of manganese in the country is still unacceptably high and companies must do much more to eliminate the levels of manganese to their employees,” says Kleynhans.

Solidarity says that although they are working on creating safe working conditions for people living in South Africa, specific poisoning needs to be looked at to keep all working South Africans safe.

“The safety of workers is not negotiable and we cannot allow workers to be exposed to manganese levels about which there is uncertainty,” he adds.

According to Kleynhans manganese is a dust metal which is used for production of various products and exposure to the metal can cause lung and respiratory problems.