Peter Ziaaman, the manager of urban management in Region G addresses businessmen in Lens

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Businessen were warned to have their fire extinguishers serviced

Environmental health practitioners and building inspectors were on the lookout for environmental hazards and irregularities

By-law blitz held in Region G Business owners were warned – and some were fined – for not complying with by-laws and health and safety regulations. November 9, 2007 By Lesego Madumo REGION G officials cracked down on Anchorville, an industrial site in Lenasia South, on a follow-up blitz aimed at encouraging factories and businesses to comply with by-laws and health and safety regulations. The blitz was held on Thursday, 8 November and followed an earlier blitz in the same area on 11 October. Booker Maseti, the stakeholder and liaison officer in Region G's communication department, said that the second blitz was geared to reinforce the message of by-law compliance. He said that the City hoped it would contribute towards visible improvements and a more clued-up community. The operation was tailored to create a healthier and friendlier environment and to monitor if business owners were complying with the law after being given warnings last month. Conducting the blitz was a strong contingent of metro police officers, emergency management services personnel, environmental health practitioners, and building inspectors. They evaluated buildings, checking on aspects like the safety of workers and their environment. Even factories that manufacture biscuits have to comply with health by-laws The aim of this kind of operation is to raise awareness of the law among business owners, and to urge them to comply with municipal by-laws and national health legislation regarding erecting buildings and running businesses. "We only give them warnings if there are major contraventions, and in this case, there aren't many," said Peter Ziaaman, the manager of urban management in Region G. "We are not trying to harass people," he affirmed, adding that it was hoped that the blitz would encourage people to approach the City to enquire about safety precautions at businesses and factories. He did, however, concede that it was the City's responsibility to deliver services. He was responding to a businessman, who argued that if his refuse was not collected, "what must I do with it?". Ziaaman said Johannesburg was injecting millions of rands into improving service delivery, providing refuse collection, water and sanitation. "We expect you to meet us halfway." He noted that the Anchorville community was very relaxed, saying, "We need to drive them to comply with by-laws. It is vital." In one case, a mechanic was warned to have his fire extinguishers serviced. According to safety regulations, every workplace should have its fire extinguishers serviced frequently, for the safety of employees. A fine for breaching this law could amount to R2 000. "If he is non-compliant within the seven-day period stated on his fine, we will meet him in court," warned Danny Makuse, a station commander for fire safety. One businessman appreciated the blitz, saying it was an important strategy by the City to catch people who contravened the law. "If [business] people are fully compliant with the law, then I don't see why they should see the blitz as a scare," said Chetan Patel, the director of Africa Vinegar. "If I know I follow the law, then why should I be afraid?" Another business owner was fined R1 000 and given a warning for not having enough fire extinguishers at his premises. He was told to increase the number of fire extinguishers, provide extra signage on escape routes, and have an evacuation plan, with which everyone was familiar. Maseti said the operation was held to ensure compliance with by-laws, while boosting awareness of law enforcement issues. Several business premises were inspected, with environmental health practitioners and building inspectors on the lookout for environmental hazards and irregularities. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za