Latest news with #safetyconcerns
The Independent
a day 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
3 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
3 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
3 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
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
I've solo-travelled to over 30 countries but there's one place I'd NEVER return to alone
A lone female traveller who says she loves exploring the world solo has revealed the one place that she felt 'genuinely unsafe and uncomfortable'. Posting on Reddit, the woman in her thirties said she had followed a recommendation to visit the Caribbean island from her pilates teacher, who had told her the destination was safe for women exploring on their own. She says she also did her own research on safety issues in Jamaica for females travelling solo and was reassured by the lack of negative reports. Her initial experiences were good too, she revealed, after she checked into a family-run guest house. However, her time on the popular holiday island started to go downhill when she hired a private driver to take her to tourist spots Martha Brae and Blue Hole. She tells Reddit, the driver appeared fixated with her sex life and whether she would have children. She wrote: 'He was really gross and kept asking me about my sex life and kept insisting that I needed to have children ASAP.' Her interactions with locals only got worse, the woman shared, saying that when she arrived at the Blue Hole, a deep cave located in the country's mountainous inland, she 'couldn't walk one foot without some perv telling me I'm hot or whatever.' Her guide, she claims, also made 'specific comments about my body'. And while visiting Jamaica's famous beach, Montego Bay, she said she was followed at one point and suffered numerous cat calls, saying: 'It was so scary to know he was watching and following me. I really don't recommend Jamaica solo.' The woman also says she witness homophobic language during her trip. Many agreed in the reaction to the post this month that the island is beautiful to visit but not always a safe environment for women. One wrote: 'Honestly Jamaica is not female friendly. I would never go back unless escorted by a man, but even then it's not worth the trouble.' A male contributor shared his own experiences on the forum, saying: 'My wife and I had a personal driver hired by the boutique hotel we stayed at. 'He was a local and knew everyone and basically kept every weirdo away from us, I tipped him extremely well. I would not recommend a single woman travel in that country.' Another added: 'I went as a group twice. There will not be a third visit. It is sad because it's a beautiful place with killer food. I don't scare easily and I have taken more risks than I should've in my life. But it did not feel safe.' One woman, a huge fan of the country, said: 'I love Jamaica and have been there 8 to 9 times (resorts, backpacking, the whole 9)... with my husband and I don't think I would ever go alone unless it was an airport shuttle to a resort and back.' Current FCO advice to the country warns of incidents of sexual assault and rape against tourists and visitors, issuing the warning: Take care when using dating apps in Jamaica, especially those used by the LGBT+ community. 'Criminals have used apps to lure victims to meet in a public place but later assault and rob them.' The country remains the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean and attracts more than 4 million visitors annually thanks to its beautiful beaches, rum production and iconic figures, including Bob Marley, Usain Bolt and James Bond writer Ian Fleming. Last month, a solo travel content creator shared her honest views on where she feels unsafe as a woman – and one of her picks is a hugely popular European destination. Savanna Crowell, who runs the @solowithsav Tiktok account, describes herself as 'your go-to solo travel girlie'. In a recent video that has been viewed almost 500,000 times, the New York-based traveller revealed three places where she didn't feel safe. Her first red-flagged destination is France – the world's most visited country, with 102 million international tourists arriving in 2024. She told her 54,000 followers she'd 'had a few uncomfortable situations in the country', facing problems in a number of locations. 'On my first solo trip to Paris, I almost got scammed by the 'petition scammers' at the Louvre,' she said. Petition scammers often pose as charity workers or petitioners who might speak to tourists about worthy causes – before putting pressure on them to hand over money. 'When I tried to get out of it they became very aggressive… thankfully I was able to get out of it because there were a lot of other people around me. Savanna also had issues in Nice, a beautiful city on the French Riviera. While she was walking along a street by herself, a man 'popped out of the bush with a pointy stick in his hand'. Savanna goes on to say he 'started chasing me down the road, ended up throwing the stick at me and laughing'. Despite the popularity of France, a number of other holidaymakers in the comments section voiced their unhappy experiences in the country. 'Facts! A man followed me into the girls' restroom in Paris and there is a section of Nice super unsafe for women,' wrote Alexandra Priscilla.
