THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Agency has imposed a US$5,000 fine on Sethi 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.
WHILE THE US$5,000 fine and closure of the oxygen plant are necessary steps, they are not enough to ensure that industrial workplaces prioritize the safety of their employees.
WE CALL ON the Liberian government and the Environmental Protection Agency to take decisive action in the wake of the tragic explosion because industrial safety should be a matter of concern to all.
INDUSTRIAL AUTHORITIES AND government oversight bodies to prioritize regular risk assessment through employee training, proper maintenance of equipment, ensuring safety procedures, using personal protective equipment(PPE) and maintaining clean and organized work environment.
WE URGE THE EPA and the Ministry of Labor to enforce stricter regulations and conduct frequent inspections to prevent similar tragedies, as the EPA’s investigation revealed alarming safety violations that point lack of fire safety measures, improper handling of gas tanks, missing emergency exits, and expired permits all of which created a hazardous work environment.
WHILE WE EMPATHIZE with the Sethi Ferro Fabrik Steel Factory and the subsequent lost of life, we find it demanding that companies understand that endangering workers’ lives carries with it wavelength of severe consequences.
WE THEREFORE ASSERT that the US$5,000 penalty for a fatal accident sends the wrong message, suggesting that violations are a mere cost of doing business.
THE GOVERNMENT MUST increase penalties and ensure that companies adhere to strict environmental and occupational safety laws, thereby sending the caveat that this tragic death serves as a turning point, prompting an urgent reform that prioritizes human lives over profits.
