News

Soap factory shut down over UI student’s death

Published

4 years ago

July 31, 2020

The management of Expand Global Industries Limited has suspended production at its Oluyole Estate factory following the death of one of its workers, Gbadebo Richard.

Richard, a 300-level student of the University of Ibadan, reportedly died when he fell into a soap making machine during operation..

The company’s decision was announced in a statement issued by the Human Resources Manager of the company, Aliyu Jubril, on Friday.

The statement read in parts, “Production at the site remains suspended until further notice. The safety and health of our people is of utmost importance to us. Our company has stringent safety protocols in place to ensure that every employee operates in a safe working environment.

“We deeply regret to announce that a colleague from an external third-party company was fatally injured in an incident that took place at our Ibadan plant on Tuesday, July 28.

“Our onsite emergency team immediately stopped all operations and promptly informed the relevant authorities of the incident.

“The local authorities arrived onsite within minutes to carry out the necessary investigations and safely transported the deceased to the morgue where an autopsy could be conducted.

“The company is shocked and saddened by this loss and our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of the deceased.

“Representatives of the company met with the family with representatives from the student council to express our deepest condolences. We will continue to engage with the family and provide necessary support during this difficult time.”

It indicated that the company was working closely with the police and the Ministry of Labour to ascertain the circumstances leading to the incident.