Lagos: Safety Commission sanctions Julius Berger following engineer’s death at site
The Lagos State Safety Commission has taken action against Julius Berger Nigeria Plc following an investigation into the tragic death of Olalekan Oloruntoba, a construction engineer who died while operating a crane at the company’s Ijora Yard facility.
Initial reports suggested that Oloruntoba, who was an engineer with Julius Berger, died when a crane loaded with materials collapsed on him on September 23, 2024. However, the safety commission’s investigation revealed that the incident was caused by the impact of shifting contents from a container being offloaded at the time.
The investigation was launched after details of the incident surfaced in late September, with images showing the lifeless engineer, his face and head covered in blood.
While the commission did not disclose the full details of the sanctions on Julius Berger, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lanre Mojola, through the Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Adewunmi Okoh, confirmed that the construction firm had been instructed to meet specific regulatory requirements following the incident.
The commission’s report indicated that Oloruntoba sustained severe injuries from the accident, which ultimately led to his death.
According to the safety commission, Oloruntoba had been overseeing the unloading of a 40-foot freight container when the contents, which were being offloaded by a forklift, shifted unexpectedly. As the materials toppled off the forklift, they struck the engineer, causing fatal injuries.
“Immediate actions were taken following the incident,” the report stated. “The authorities were notified promptly, and police were alerted on the same day. The National Social Insurance Trust Fund was also informed as part of regulatory procedures.”
The commission emphasized that Julius Berger had been instructed to enhance its safety measures, including additional training for its employees and a thorough review of its risk assessment and safety protocols for loading and unloading activities. The company was specifically asked to revise its job hazard analysis and ensure all staff involved in such operations receive comprehensive safety training.
“The company has been mandated to conduct a detailed review of its risk management procedures and ensure that all personnel engaged in loading and offloading operations are properly trained to avoid such incidents in the future,” the report added.
In addition, it was revealed that Oloruntoba had been with Julius Berger for several years, having started as an undergraduate intern before being employed full-time after completing his National Youth Service Corps program. His colleagues and friends expressed deep sorrow over his untimely death on social media. Adeyemi Adetoyese, a close friend, described Oloruntoba as a passionate and dedicated professional.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the loss of our dear brother and vibrant civil engineer. Our hearts are heavy with grief, but we take comfort in the fact that God loves him more than we ever could,” Adetoyese wrote in an emotional tribute.
Sani Abubakar, another colleague, recalled Oloruntoba’s professional aspirations and dedication to growth. “We often discussed his career plans, including his ambitions to further his education. His passion for professional development was truly inspiring,” Abubakar shared.
This incident follows a similar workplace fatality in the state in August 2024, when a contract worker died after falling into an iron melting pot at his company. The Safety Commission later determined that the worker’s death was a result of inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and the incident was classified as a suicide
