Numsa accuses SA Steel Mills of risking workers lives after four were burnt with molten steel

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has condemned South African Steel Mills for failing to keep the workplace safe after several workers were injured in a workplace accident last week. 

Numsa said on Monday it was alerted by its Sedibeng secretary Kabelo Ramokhathali that four employees were burnt by molten steel on Thursday.  

‘We dispatched our health and safety official to the scene and he informed the department of employment and labour of the incident.  

“By the time we informed the [department] SA Steel Mills had not yet informed it of the incident.”

The union said a labour inspector arrived at the scene at about midday. 

“Upon arriving, two employees had been hospitalised and were in critical condition. Two others were treated with first aid by first responders and sent home.” 

Numsa said it insisted the other two employees be taken to hospital where they were treated overnight for burns and kept for observation. 

Management said the accident was as a result of a cooling water pump which tripped, causing molten steel not to run through the mould, and it splashed out on to the operators.  

This was not the first time SA Steel Mills has had accidents, Numsa said. 

“In the last incident a worker died and the owner was inhumane in his response to the incident. He refused to allow workers to take time off to deal with the trauma and to properly mourn the death of their colleague.” 

Numsa said it was clear that worker safety was not prioritised at SA Steel Mills and this put the lives of workers at risk.  

“We call on the [department] to take the issues of SA Steel Mills seriously and intervene decisively, otherwise there will be more deaths.” 

SA Steel Mills said it was saddened by the injuries to its employees.

'The company has consistently allocated extensive resources to occupational health safety in the work environment. Having said that, our operations are, by its nature, hazardous and any incident can easily cause injury and harm to the workforce,” CFO Kenny Mokoka said.

Occupational health and safety has been a priority for the company.  

Two employees had minor burns and had recovered. The other two were hospitalised and had improved remarkably.

“All the necessary steps were taken by the company after the accident regarding the injured as well as the affected work area. The incident has been reported to the department of employment and labour. A detailed investigation is under way,” Mokoka said.

Despite taking precautions, the incident occurred under circumstances which could best be categorised as an accident.

“Management have taken all the necessary steps to prevent a repeat of this type of accident and will consistently monitor the division under review,” Mokoka said.

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