Part of Arcelor-Mittal's plant has been closed down by the Inspection and Enforcement Services of the Department of Employment and Labour following the collapse of a stack that fell on the control room killing three employees who were inside.

The Inspector who attended to the incident issued the prohibition notice for the company not to continue with production at coke oven battery plant number 4 to allow for the internal investigation into the cause of the incident.

Only after the area has been declared safe will permission be granted to continue with production.

“The department received information that the incident occurred just after 02h00 in the morning (17 February 2021) during the night shift. Part of the stack had collapsed and it fell on top of the control room. Unfortunately, the three employees could not be saved and we have instituted an investigation into the cause of the incident.

It is important to remember that all incidents are preventable. That is why we urge all employers in general whether small or big to follow what has been in legislation since the first Construction Regulations in 2003, viz.  to evaluate all structures on their premises using a person qualified to do so and to keep the records of each inspection of each such structure.

This is particularly vital in the light of aging structures that may need replacing at some stage.  The Department can be contacted for advice in this regard," said Chief Inspector Tibor Szana

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Musa Zondi

Acting Departmental Spokesperson

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-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour​

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