Cape Town - Online retail company Takealot is in trouble with authorities after the Department of Employment and Labour’s Inspection and Enforcement Service (IES) flagged it for non-compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The transgressions were discovered by the authorities at Takealot’s warehouse in Gauteng, Kempton Park, where parts of the facility posed an immediate danger to its workers on site, government officials said.
“Takealot’s breach to a number of labour laws at the warehouse were uncovered on 27 September 2022 during the Department of Employment and Labour’s joint Mega Blitz inspections, which started on Monday (26 September 2022) in the province. The Department was conducting physical and administration inspections at the company and also engagements with the company’s on-site employees,” the department said.
The mega blitz inspection was spearheaded by the Inspector-General, Aggy Moiloa, who had indicated to the Takealot management that the department was willing to assist them in complying with the labour laws.
“We don’t take pleasure in seeing you being squeamish. We don’t want that because we hardly ever subscribe to the stick approach, unless we are pushed to the limits, and if you push us, you are going to see that. It’s been a trend (of contraventions) throughout the country. The compliance levels range from anything from 18% up to just under 40%” said Moiloa.
Takealot was found by the department to be in contravention of ergonomics regulations, pressure equipment regulations, general administration regulations, hazardous chemical agent regulations, driven machinery regulations and general safety regulations.
The government also served the online retail management with a notice direction to improve the company’s clinic facilities, create demarcated driveways inside the warehouse and improve the company’s warehouse risk assessment specification.
The retailer was also issued with three prohibition notices which prevent them from allowing contractors on site with step-ladders without non-skid rubber, storing of chemicals in a general storing area or racks in that they are flammable and can have an adverse effect to the health and safety of employees, and deducting monies from employees for provision of protective safety shoes.
The department has granted Takealot a period of 60 days to get its house in order.
Takealot said it was "fully committed to complying with all laws and providing a safe working environment for all its staff".
"We are aware of the notices issued by the Department of Employment and Labour in relation to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, and Takealot will work to comply with the Department’s requirement for remedial action to be taken within the next 60 days," the online retailer said in a statement.
Takealot, however, said it was unaware of any contravention or non-compliance related to the Unemployment Insurance Fund Act, Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act as alleged by the Department.
"Takealot applies stringent procedures with regards to the verification of staff identification and qualifications. We also adhere to the industry standard of conducting background and criminal checks on permanent and semi-permanent hires. Takealot would not knowingly employ anyone who is undocumented or who has provided fake documents. Takealot is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and will address any alleged gaps," the company added.
Cape Times