Recent Industrial Accidents Highlight Safety Concerns
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Disaster Management
- •Source: TH*
Context: A major blast at Escientia’s pharma plant in Andhra Pradesh’s Atchutapuram SEZ resulted in 17 deaths and numerous injuries, with another fire injuring 10 workers the same day. This follows a previous explosion in the same SEZ and a deadly incident in 2020.
What are Industrial and Chemical Disasters?
They are defined as the sudden release of toxic chemicals causing severe disruption and widespread losses beyond a society’s coping ability. India has reported over 130 major chemical accidents in the past decade, resulting in over 250 fatalities, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Examples of Major Industrial Disasters are:
• Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984): A gas leak from Union Carbide’s plant in Bhopal killed over 3,000 people and caused long-term health issues.
• Chasnala Mine Disaster (1975): A mine collapse in Jharkhand due to flooding resulted in over 375 deaths.
• Sukinda Valley Disaster (2008): Toxic waste and acid rain from chromium mines in Odisha led to severe environmental and health impacts.
• Latur Earthquake (1993): An earthquake in Maharashtra caused industrial damage and significant loss of life.
• Gujarat Gas Tragedy (2001): A gas leak from a pipeline in Gujarat resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.
• Vishakhapatnam Gas Leak (2020): A styrene leak from the LG Polymers plant in Andhra Pradesh caused at least 12 deaths and numerous injuries.
• Kolkata’s Dharmatala Fire (2018): A fire at a chemical warehouse in Kolkata caused fatalities and extensive damage.
Key Factors Contributing to Industrial Accidents in India:
Factors | Description
Inadequate Regulation and Monitoring | Fragmented regulations with overlapping jurisdictions and loopholes weaken safety oversight and enforcement.
Lack of Comprehensive Chemical Risk Database | Absence of a central database hinders hazard assessment and development of safety protocols.
Insufficient Worker Training and Awareness | Untrained, contractual workers lack safety and emergency response training, increasing risks, especially with hazardous chemicals.
Poor Investment in Worker Safety | Cost-cutting measures neglect safety equipment and infrastructure, such as ventilation and fire safety.
Lack of Maintenance | Poor maintenance practices, as seen in incidents like the Visakhapatnam gas leak and Neyveli boiler blowout, compromise safety.
Legal Measures Against Industrial and Chemical Disasters:
Measures | Description
UN Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents (1992) | Provides a framework for international cooperation, information sharing, and emergency planning.
Flexible Framework for Accident Prevention and Preparedness (CAPP) (2006) | Offers guidance to build chemical accident prevention programs, tailored to specific needs.
OECD Programme on Chemical Accidents (1990) | Focuses on preventing accidents through best practices and information sharing in chemical safety.
India
Bhopal Gas Leak (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985 | Addresses claims related to the Bhopal gas leak disaster.
Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986 | Regulates environmental safety and pollution control.
Public Liability Insurance Act (PLIA), 1991 | Mandates insurance for industries handling hazardous substances to provide financial relief.
National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997 | Establishes NEAA to handle appeals regarding restrictions on industrial activities.
Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling, and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 1989 | Requires risk identification, preventive measures, and hazard reporting.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines | Provides direction for chemical disaster management and detailed disaster management plans.
Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, 2020 | Defines employer/employee duties, safety standards, and worker rights including gender equality.
ILO Recommendations on Industrial Disaster Prevention | Requires identification of hazardous materials, maintaining an inventory of major hazard workplaces, and centralized data management.
Way forward:
• Enhanced Regulatory Framework: Develop a national framework with defined roles for agencies to enforce safety regulations.
• Improved Monitoring and Enforcement: Implement stricter penalties and more frequent inspections by qualified personnel.
• Establishing a Chemical Risk Database: Create a centralized database to document risks associated with industrial chemicals.
• Investing in Worker Training: Introduce comprehensive training programs and drills to improve worker awareness of safety protocols.
• Adopting Best Practices and Technologies: Encourage the use of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) to reduce hazards and manage waste.
• Incentives for Safety Upgrades: Provide financial aid such as tax breaks or subsidies to support infrastructure upgrades and new technologies.
Mains :
With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. (UPSC 2018)
Prelims:
Q1. In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA safeguards” while others are not? (USPC 2020)
(a) Some use uranium and others use thorium (b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies (c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises (d) Some are State-owned and others are privately owned
Ans: (b)