ACCORDING to Jomo Sibiya, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, the South African construction sector has one of the highest accident rates in the country, with 1.5 to two fatalities per week, and is classified as one of the top four high-risk industries in the country.
Building collapses occur when a structure fails and partially or fully collapses, endangering human lives and health. This can result from various factors, including structural failures, poor construction practices, and external forces like fires or earthquakes. The effects of a building collapse can be devastating, leading to loss of life, injuries, property damage, and significant economic and social disruption.
On May 6 last year, the Neo Victoria project, a residential building under construction in George, Western Cape, collapsed, killing 34 workers and injuring 28.…