Victor Ahiuma-Young & Bose Adelaja
NO fewer than seven workers have died, following
an industrial accident in Phoenix Steel Mills
Limited, Ogijo-Remo, Ogun State.
Already, the Federal Ministry of Labour and
Productivity has shut the section of the company
where the accident occurred at about 2:00am on
Sunday, October 12, pending full investigation
into the accident.
According to eyewitnesses’ account, the melting
machine was over loaded with input that added
extra pressure beyond its melting point, forcing
the substance from the furnace to splash on the
workers at the platform.
It was learned that the victims, who were
writhing in pains, were immediately rushed to a
private hospital at Ikorodu in Lagos, though they
were still talking.
They were said to have been referred to a
specialists hospital in Lagos due to complications,
where they later died.
Vanguard gathered that consequently, four
officials of the Factory Inspection Department of
the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity,
led by the Assistant Director of Factories, Mr.
Ogunmoko Babatunde Ogunmuko, last Friday
visited the company and in accordance with
section 38 of the Factory Act, shut the section
where the accident occurred.
The Ministry officials requested and took away
some documents from the company.
Director of Factories in the Labour Ministry, Mrs
Nofisat Arogundade told Vanguard that the
accident was unfortunate and that the Ministry
had mandated the management of the company to
put certain measures in place before the shut
section could be opened.
She lamented that steel companies in Lagos were
lacking in basic safety standard, adding that the
department was planning to bring operators of
the companies together to educate them on
necessary safety and other measures.
Executive Director of the company, Ajit Amtey,
said the company was sad and very sorry about
the accident.
He narrated how the company immediately rushed
the victims to a private hospital in Ikorodu where
they were referred to some specialists hospitals
in Lagos to ensure their survival.
Ajit added the company had set up an inquiry into
the cause of the accident, insisting that
necessary measures would be put in place to
forestall future occurrences.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/seven-workers-die-ogun-steel-firms-accident/