Nyasha Motsi
Herald Correspondent
THE National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has expressed its condolences following the tragic death of a worker at the Trabablas Interchange project site in Harare on Tuesday.
In a statement, NSSA urged all employers and employees to prioritise their duties and responsibilities to prevent accidents, illnesses, and fatalities.
The authority highlighted its mandate to promote occupational safety and health, derived from various statutory instruments, including the Factories and Works (Building, Structural and Excavation Work) Regulations of 1976.
These regulations require builders to notify inspectors in writing about the location of worksites before commencing any work.
NSSA has been actively conducting regular inspections and training at the Trabablas project site and the last inspection was on August 29, 2024.
“While several areas for improvement were identified, no immediate safety violations were reported,” NSSA said.
The authority said it is important to notify NSSA about complex construction projects, so they can assist in promoting and enforcing worker safety through consistent monitoring, inspections, and training.
“Failure to comply with occupational safety and health regulations can result in civil and criminal prosecution,” NSSA said.
NSSA reiterated its commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all workers in Zimbabwe.
“The authority promotes Vision Zero, a philosophy that asserts all workplace accidents are preventable.
“NSSA’s thoughts are with the families of the deceased and injured employees during this difficult time.”