A second person has died from injuries sustained in an accident at Samancor’s Middelburg Ferrochrome furnace last week, a company spokesperson said on Monday.
Jaji Jan Mtsweni was one of 13 people injured when ”hot gasses were released” from one of the furnaces last Wednesday morning.
Mtsweni had worked for the company since 1980. 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 CEO Jurgen Schalamon.
Of the original 13 people hospitalised, two have died, nine remain in hospital — seven are in critical condition and two are in a satisfactory condition. Two employees have been discharged.
Company vice president John Ferreira said that an internal inquiry was under way to examine what caused the gasses to be released, and what type of gases they were.
The furnace had been closed until further information is available and most workers based in that section had 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, has been put on hold.
Both the Congress of SA 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.
A Department of Labour investigation is also expected to be conducted. – Sapa