Labour inspectors probe latest Assmang blast

11 September 2008

Labour inspectors are currently investigating an explosion that occurred in the electrode column of furnace 5 at the Assmang factory in Cato Ridge yesterday afternoon (September, 10).It is alleged that six employees who were working in the area were subsequently exposed to a large volume of dust and fumes during the incident. They were immediately taken to St Annes Hospital in Pietermaritzburg for observation and were later discharged.

Labour Inspectors on the scene at the factory are investigating the incident in line with the Occupational Health and Safety Act to determine the cause of the incident. At this stage, no workers were found to be injured or killed as a result of the explosion. Meanwhile, the department’s inquiry into the exposure of workers to manganese poisoning at the plant is set to resume from 10 - 14 November 2008.