Latest news with #safetyconcerns
CBC
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Safety concerns halt MAGA musician's Moncton concert
Sean Feucht, a controversial Christian singer who's spoken out against the 2SLGBTQ+ community, will not perform at Moncton's Riverfront Park on Thursday after the City of Moncton revoked his permit, citing safety concerns.
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Swimmers protest after Weymouth's ‘beloved' sea rafts removed over health and safety fears
Protesters have taken to the sea in Weymouth over the sudden removal of the 'beloved' floating sea rafts – which had been in place for over 80 years – over health and safety concerns. The town council removed the two platforms due to safety concerns around blind spots to the RNLI lifeguards on duty, but the move has been accused of being a 'cost-cutting measure'. Local residents have taken to the waters to protest against their removal and demand their return as soon as possible. Jade O'Brien, who launched a petition to the council, said: 'For over 40 years the rafts have stood in these waters, providing safe recreation and cherished experiences for generations. ' Weymouth town council decided to remove these beloved rafts, citing safety concerns of blind spots to the lifeguard on duty. 'However, incidents have been rare, and Greenhill Beach has consistently maintained a strong safety record. It doesn't make sense.' She continued: 'The rafts not only signify leisure but are integral to our community. They encourage children to exercise, learn to swim, and develop water confidence. 'By removing them, we are not only subtracting an element of enjoyment but also diminishing the vitality of Greenhill Beach.' Nearly 4,000 people have signed a petition to restore the rafts, while the council have denied it forms part of a cost-cutting move. In a statement on their website, they said that the council had been informed on 10 July that RNLI would not include a platform or pontoon as part of their primary or secondary areas of operation, and so the rafts would not be considered as part of their immediate responsibilities. This was due to them creating a 'blind spot for the lifeguards which operate from the beach and therefore pose a risk to members of the public'. As a result, the council's insurance providers confirmed they were unable to offer cover in the event of claim for incident or accident. A spokesperson for the council said: 'We remain committed to trying to find a way to get the rafts returned to Greenhill Beach. To do this we will continue to work with our partners and take advice on how we can achieve this. 'Our goal is to get the rafts back out in the sea as soon as possible, whilst ensuring that the council's legal health and safety obligations are met.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
South Africa building collapse that killed 34 was 'entirely preventable', minister says
A building collapse that killed 34 construction workers and injured dozens in Western Cape province last year was "entirely preventable", South Africa's government says. A new report into the tragedy reveals that serious safety concerns had been raised well before the partially built five-storey apartment block collapsed in the town of George in May 2024. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said the collapse was the result of multiple failures including the use of substandard materials, structural cracks, and visible gaps. "There were a number of red flags that were continually raised about this project," said a visibly angry Macpherson. Some of the defects were detected a year before the collapse. The health and safety officer even resigned in protest but work continued, the report found. "The work should have stopped," Macpherson said. He added that these signs were a chance to turn back but instead, problems with the building were "covered up". Workers reported feeling vibrations in the structure, and being told to cover up holes with sand and substandard concrete, the report revealed. Following what the minister described as an "emotional and painful" private meeting with survivors and families of victims, he called for criminal accountability for those found to have been negligent. A police investigation is under way but no arrests have been made. Many survivors are still facing trauma, medical bills and struggling to put food on the table, Macpherson said. Electrician Delvin Safers was pinned under the tonnes of concrete and mangled metal for 28 hours. He sent voice notes to his family believing he might die. A colleague of his was killed instantly as the concrete fell on top of them. After his rescue Mr Safers told the BBC he had noticed no warning signs, but believed that if shortcuts were taken during construction, then those responsible "should be held accountable". He did not attend the minister's briefing but his father Deon, who did, told the BBC that he was impressed by the report. "We want justice," he said, adding that his son had received no compensation Another survivor of the disaster, Elelwani, tearfully told local media, that her life had changed in the last year. She lost many teeth, struggles to eat and has been the subject of bullying. She appealed for money from well wishers. Macpherson pledged to introduce regulations to improve oversight in construction and reform outdated legislation. The probe was conducted by the Council for the Built Environment and a parallel investigation by the Engineering Council of South Africa. Joy as son trapped in SA building collapse rescued Man trapped under SA building texting family, father says Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Africa Daily Focus on Africa Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
South Africa building collapse that killed 34 was 'entirely preventable', minister says
A building collapse that killed 34 construction workers and injured dozens more in the Western Cape, town of George last May was "entirely preventable", South Africa's government says. A newly released report into the 2024 tragedy revealed that serious safety concerns had been raised well before the partially-built five-storey apartment block came crashing down. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said the collapse was the result of multiple failures including the use of substandard materials, structural cracks, and visible gaps. "There were a number of red flags that were continually raised about this project," said a visibly angry Macpherson. Some of the defects in the building were detected a year before the building collapsed. The health and safety officer even resigned in protest but work continued the report found. "The work should have stopped" Macpherson said. Macpherson added that these signs were a chance to turn back but instead, problems with the building were "covered up". Workers reported feeling vibrations in the partially built structure, and being told to cover up holes with sand and substandard concrete, the report revealed. Following what the minister described as an "emotional and painful" private meeting with survivors and families of victims, he called for criminal accountability for those found to have been negligent. A police investigation is still ongoing but no arrests have been made. Many survivors are still facing trauma, medical bills and struggling to put food on the table, Macpherson said. One survivor of the disaster, Elelwani, tearfully told local media, that her life had changed dramatically in the last year. She lost many of her teeth, struggles to eat and has been the subject of bullying. She appealed for money from well wishers. Macpherson pledged to introduce regulations to improve oversight in construction and reform outdated legislation. The probe was conducted by the Council for the Built Environment and a parallel investigation by the Engineering Council of South Africa. Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
South Africa building collapse that killed 34 was 'entirely preventable', minister says
A building collapse that killed 34 construction workers and injured dozens more in the Western Cape, town of George last May was "entirely preventable", South Africa's government says. A newly released report into the 2024 tragedy revealed that serious safety concerns had been raised well before the partially-built five-storey apartment block came crashing down. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said the collapse was the result of multiple failures including the use of substandard materials, structural cracks, and visible gaps. "There were a number of red flags that were continually raised about this project," said a visibly angry Macpherson. Some of the defects in the building were detected a year before the building collapsed. The health and safety officer even resigned in protest but work continued the report found. "The work should have stopped" Macpherson said. Macpherson added that these signs were a chance to turn back but instead, problems with the building were "covered up". Workers reported feeling vibrations in the partially built structure, and being told to cover up holes with sand and substandard concrete, the report revealed. Following what the minister described as an "emotional and painful" private meeting with survivors and families of victims, he called for criminal accountability for those found to have been negligent. A police investigation is still ongoing but no arrests have been made. Many survivors are still facing trauma, medical bills and struggling to put food on the table, Macpherson said. One survivor of the disaster, Elelwani, tearfully told local media, that her life had changed dramatically in the last year. She lost many of her teeth, struggles to eat and has been the subject of bullying. She appealed for money from well wishers. Macpherson pledged to introduce regulations to improve oversight in construction and reform outdated legislation. The probe was conducted by the Council for the Built Environment and a parallel investigation by the Engineering Council of South Africa. Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Africa Daily Focus on Africa
