By Grace Q. Bryant
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has imposed a US$5,000 fine on Sethi Ferro Fabrik Steel Factory and ordered the immediate closure of its oxygen plant following a fatal explosion on February 17, 2025.
The incident, caused by an oxygen cylinder blast, resulted in the tragic death of Saah J. Samukai, a factory worker.
An EPA investigation, launched shortly after the explosion, uncovered multiple safety violations, including the lack of fire safety measures, improper handling of gas tanks, missing emergency exits, and expired environmental permits.
These infractions, according to EPA officials, created a hazardous work environment, ultimately leading to the deadly accident.
Following the explosion, the EPA dispatched a high-level delegation on February 18, 2025, led by Deputy Executive Director Dweh S. Boley, to conduct an initial assessment.
The investigation revealed significant safety lapses, prompting the agency to issue a written order on February 19, 2025, halting all operations at the facility.
On February 20, 2025 a team of government officials, including the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of the Liberia National Fire Service, accompanied EPA Executive Director Yarkpawolo on a tour of the plant.
The visit confirmed the presence of expired permits, unsafe storage of oxygen tanks, and a lack of emergency preparedness measures.
Among the key safety violations found were no fire extinguishers installed in critical areas, the plant had no clear escape routes in case of emergencies and Oxygen tanks were not properly labeled or secured.
There were no recorded safety drills or training for workers handling hazardous materials and the factory was operating without a valid environmental permit.
As a penalty for failing to comply with environmental regulations, Fabrik has been ordered to pay a US$5,000 fine to the Liberia Revenue Authority within 72 hours.
The company must renew all expired permits and secure a valid environmental permit, implement a comprehensive fire safety plan and properly label and store oxygen tanks.
The company also must conduct mandatory health and safety training for all employees and hire an independent environmental consultant to conduct a full safety audit.
Despite the shutdown, the EPA acknowledged that Fabrik has been providing free medical oxygen to hospitals across Liberia, a crucial service that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In light of this, the agency has agreed to issue a temporary 90-day permit once the fine is paid and safety improvements are initiated.
This will allow the continued supply of medical oxygen while safety and compliance audits are conducted.
To obtain the temporary permit, the company must also pay a permit fee of US$1,263. Full operations will only resume after the completion of all safety reforms and regulatory approvals.
The EPA has vowed to closely monitor Fabrik’s compliance with the mandated safety reforms. A follow-up assessment will be conducted to ensure that all corrective measures are fully implemented. “The loss of life in this incident is tragic and unacceptable. Our agency remains committed to enforcing strict safety regulations to protect workers and the environment. We will not allow industrial facilities to operate without proper safeguards,” he said.
