JOHANNESBURG - The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has accused the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory of serious occupational health and safety failures.
The union has alleged that forensic staff are being exposed to risks without the police service conducting mandatory health screenings.
Popcru said some employees have been overdue for testing since early last year.
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The union said members have painted a disturbing picture of institutional negligence, disregard for human life, and blatant violation of the law.
"These are workers who daily handle highly hazardous biological exhibits, including blood, semen, and other bodily fluids, in the execution of their duties, in pursuit of justice and criminal investigations.
"Yet, the employer has allegedly failed to uphold the minimum legal and safety obligations imposed upon it by the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and the Hazardous Biological Agents Regulations," Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said in a statement.
Mamabolo said the union now demands, among other things, the immediate suspension of all affected operational activities until proper medical surveillance is implemented.
Additionally, it wants urgent medical screening and vaccination verification for all affected forensic members across all regions, as well as a full independent occupational health and safety investigation into the conduct of SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory management.