A maintenance fitter at a fluorochemical production plant tragically lost his life on Monday after being in contact with chemicals which resulted in severe burns and inhalation exposure.

Thapelo Marcus Rasebetja, working at Pelchem in Brits, a subsidiary of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) was exposed to Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid, an acid that is used mainly for industrial purposes (metal cleaning, petrochemical processes and stainless steel manufacturing).

According to Necsa, Rasebetja was immediately rushed to the Necsa Medical Centre before being airlifted to the Millpark Hospital for intensive treatment.

“Sadly, Rasebetja succumbed to his injury and passed away yesterday, at 19:00,” said Necsa in a statement.

Necsa said an investigation is under way to ascertain the cause of the accident.

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