The Department of Labour has called on employers to make workplaces safe after a second person died of injuries from an accident at Samancor’s Middelburg Ferrochrome furnace last week.
Jaji Jan Mtsweni, who was one of 13 people injured when ”hot gases were released” at one of the furnaces last Wednesday morning, died on Saturday.
His death followed that of colleague Pelsie Khumalo, who died on Friday morning from his injuries.
”This compounds our sadness here at Samancor Chrome and we send our most sincere condolences [for] the loss to his family, friends and colleagues,” said Samancor chief executive Jurgen Schalamon.
Of the original 13 people hospitalised, two have died and nine remain in hospital — seven in a critical condition and two satisfactory. Two employees have been discharged.
Company vice-president John Ferreira said an internal inquiry is under way to examine what caused the gases to be released, and what type of gases they were.
The furnace has been closed until further information is available and most workers based in that section have been sent home on full pay and benefits, with only a skeleton staff remaining.
The usual 200 tonnes of ferrochrome produced at the plant for use in the manufacture of stainless steel have been put on hold.
The Department of Labour said its preliminary investigations established that there was a water leak at the furnace, which had automatically shut down the lock-out system.
”Upon further investigations by 13 members of the maintenance team, the hot gas exploded on them,” the department said.
Minister of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana urged employers to make sure they adhere to Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
”On the other hand, workers safety representatives should be seen as proactive in affirming the application of this regulation.”
The department is already conducting hearings into gas explosions at Sasol plants. At one in Secunda, 10 people died and 300 were left injured.
Both the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the Solidarity trade union have expressed concern about the accidents.
”Gas-related explosions are a concern for the industry,” said Solidarity’s Chris Pienaar. — Sapa