The Ministry of Labour and Local Government has invested in magnet yokes worth half a million dollars.

A magnet yoke is a machine that can prevent major disasters in structures that use metals such as buildings, ferries, wheels and other uses of metal.

National Occupational, Health and Safety Director Isimeli Tuivaga said the machine will be used to detect "cracks" in metal, especially steel, before it breaks.

Tuivaga said the tests are not compulsory but is a requirement on the part of the employers, suppliers and manufacturers in order to ensure that the equipment is safe, adding it is good practice and will help prevent accidents.