BLOEMFONTEIN – The Department of Labour in the Free State has confirmed its investigation into the circumstances of the fatal burn injuries sustained by Thandiwe Solane while at work at Chick’s ‘n Wings, a privately run fast-food outlet on the University of the Free State campus in Bloemfontein. This followed an enquiry by Nova News concerning the tragic incident. Solane died on 5 July at Busamedi Hospital after she sustained burn injuries on 1 July.

Tshegofatso Mogapi, provincial spokesperson for the department, said that the outlet’s human resources representative confirmed that the incident took place while the victim was at work on the day in question. She said a reactive inspection was conducted on Friday to assess the employer’s compliance with applicable labour legislation, and relevant enforcement notices will be issued where necessary.
“It is alleged that the deceased increased the fryer’s temperature to a high setting and left it unattended for approximately 15 minutes. Upon her return, she reportedly found that the cooking oil had caught fire,” she said.

“In addition, a Section 31 investigation, in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, will commence to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether there were any contraventions of the Act. This section empowers the department, through its inspectors to investigate any workplace incident that led to or could have resulted into injury, death or illness,” said Mogapi.
She said department has issued a prohibition notice on Thursday to the outlet following Solane’s death after the incident.
Mogapi said an inspection conducted on 25 May, the employer was found to be not compliant with occupational health and safety requirements. “This include the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE), a first aid box and emergency lighting,” she said.

Mogapi said should the outlet’s also found not to be registered or compliant with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), the business will be taken through the process of registering and declaring the deceased employee, as well as all other eligible employees, to the fund. “Should the employer fail to register voluntarily, the department’s inspectors will institute the applicable enforcement procedures in terms of the Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA) and the Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act (UICA) to ensure compliance,” said Mogapi.

The UFS also confirmed that it has launched its own investigation into the matter.

Also read: Worker’s fatal burn injuries at a fast-food outlet on UFS campus probed