SA post offices not safe to work in

Cape Town - We deliver, whatever it takes, is the slogan of the SA Post Office, an admirable aim made difficult by the poor state of its buildings.

More than 80% of them, according to Postal Services Minister Siyabonga Cwele, do not comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

In a written reply to a parliamentary question, tabled on Friday, he said 618 of 755 post office buildings "have been denied occupational health and safety certificates".

Key reasons included "structural deficiencies" in interior and exterior walls, roofs and ceilings, inadequate ventilation, lack of provision for emergency and escape routes, and inadequate "physical safety and security measures".

Further, there was inadequate lighting, as well as insufficient fire extinguishing equipment.

Cwele said 137 post office buildings (about 18% of them) complied with provisions of the act. Steps being taken to bring about compliance included the appointment of occupational health and safety representatives, and a special unit to monitor "the progress of mitigating process for the risks identified".

A budget of R42.7m was available in the current financial year to carry out upgrades.

Cwele said these should be completed over the next three years, "provided that necessary funding is available throughout the period".