Road maintenance crews in Kisoro Municipality face significant safety risks as they carry out their duties without the necessary protective equipment.
These crews are responsible for tasks such as sweeping, garbage collection, waste disposal, and grass cutting, but they do so without gloves, face masks, or durable gumboots, which are essential safety precautions.
These workers are exposed to potentially hazardous materials, including sharp metal blades and broken glass bottles that have been carelessly discarded, leading to injuries while cleaning the town. Some members of these road maintenance crews have sustained injuries and developed health issues as a result of their work.
An anonymous member of one of the road maintenance crews revealed that Kisoro Municipal Council mandates them to purchase their own protective gear, even though the cost is often prohibitive. Additionally, it was reported that some of their colleagues have been forced to leave their jobs due to injuries and health problems incurred during their work.
Mayor Richard Ndyana of Kisoro Municipality stated that one of the conditions for employment is that workers must provide their own protective equipment, such as hoes, slashers, and wreckers. However, he acknowledged that the Municipal Council may consider procuring some protective gear if sufficient funds are available.
