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Ann Joo Steel Factory Explodes, Fortunately No Fatalities

The Ann Joo Steel Factory, formerly Malayawata Steel, exploded just after 4 PM on 20 October 2020.

The incident was caught on video, and fortunately, there were no fatalities!

 

Ann Joo Steel Factory Explodes, Fortunately No Fatalities

The Steel Making Plant 2 at the Ann Joo Steel Factory in Prai, Penang, suffered an explosion just after 4 PM on Tuesday, 20 October 2020.

The incident was caught on video at around 4:07 PM, and fortunately, there were no fatalities!

According to the Fire Department, they received a call at 4:28 PM and sent a team of 15 firemen. They put out the fire inside the smelting section of the 3-storey building, which housed an electric arc furnace.

The Prai Fire Department operations chief Azrul Khairi Abu Bakar said that about six Ann Joo steel workers sustained minor injuries, and were sent to the hospital for treatment.

He also said that about 30% of that section was damaged. A team would be sent to investigate the cause of the explosion tomorrow, after the melted steel have cooled down.

 

MTUC Penang On Ann Joo Steel Factory Explosion

The Penang division of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) issued this press release on the Ann Joo Steel Factory explosion :

Explosion At Ann Joo Steel Prai

We, in MTUC Penang Division, are given to understand that an explosion occurred in Ann Joo Steel Berhad (formerly known as Malayawata Steel) situated in Prai this evening 20.10.2020. We are also given to understand that the said explosion happened at the company’s steel making plant 2 (SMP2) and, that, there were no fatalities except for a few workers having sustained injuries.

Having regards, to the said incident, we call upon the Department Of Safety And Health (DOSH), to undertake not only an indepth investigations in the matter but a comprehensive audit of the said company’s safety standards.

In our view industrial mishaps occur, more often than not, on account of the lapses in adherence to acceptable safety standards. In our view such an explosion should not have happened if all pertinent safety measures had been adhered to. In any case employers are, vicariously, obligated to ensure the safety of their workers. Thus, we call upon the authorities to determine whether the company had complied with its inherent duty of care in the matter. And, if it be so ascertained that there was a case of a breach of the said duty of care, then, appropriate cause of action be instituted against the company.

K. Veeriah
Secretary
Malaysian Trades Union Congress, Penang
0164184520
20.10.2020

 

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