Leoplast Industies Limited is one of the oldest plastic product companies in Nigeria, has been accused of killing and amputating several of its Nigerian workers due to its disdain for the country’s health and safety regulations.

The National President, National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria, Dr Reginald Anyanwu, told News Express in Lagos: “Leoplast have breached safety and Health Regulations of Federal Republic of Nigeria, killing and amputating Nigerians. They don’t have Factory Act of 2004; Employee Compensation Act 2010, ISPON Act 2014, Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act, Provision of domestication of health and safety manual, Certificate of competence of HSE-authorised person, in accordance with ISPON Act of 2014. If they do, they should bring them. I’ve petitioned Leoplast Industry to the Senate.”

Dr Anyanwu voiced out his frustration when approached for comments on News Express’ findings while investigating allegations that the Isolo-based Leoplast, which has recently moved its operations to a bigger plant at Ota, in Ogun State, is fast turning into a human abbatoir.

The investigations showed that Leoplast does not deem it necessary to comply with contemporary statutory requirements in accordance with International Labour Organisation standards and extant laws stipulated by National Policy on Occupational Safety and Health Regulations of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, resulting to the untimely death and maiming of several Nigerian workers.

Confronted with the evidence of non-compliance with statutory safety regulations, resulting in accidents, one of which led to the loss of fingers of one Mr Frank Nnamdi, the Leoplast management was unable to provide ISPON Act 2014, Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act nor a copy of domestication of health and safety manual, certificate of competence of HSE-authorised persons, in accordance with ISPON Act of 2014, including permit to work system signed for the operation that led to the accident of one their employees.

•Photo shows Labour Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige.

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