The worst
industrial accident in the area in recent memory occurred at Escientia's pharma
plant in the Atchutapuram Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the Anakapalli
district of Andhra Pradesh. Numerous workers were injured and seventeen were
killed. Another chemical factory in the same SEZ experienced a fire on the same
day, injuring approximately ten workers. Simply keep going year, on June 30,
there was an enormous blast at another pharma plant in this SEZ, which likewise
prompted passings and wounds.
Atchutapuram Special economic zone is largest
zone in Andhrapradesh, in this sez more than 100 factories have units
. People are reminded of a fatal accident that occurred on May 7, 2020, when a
polymers unit in Venkatapuram village, close to Visakhapatnam, let out styrene
monomer vapour, killing 12 people. Concerns about industrial safety in Andhra
Pradesh, particularly in the SEZ, are raised by these numerous accidents.
Workers at
Escientia were attempting to stop a solvent leak of a chemical known as MTBE
(Methyl tert-butyl ether), as stated by State Home Minister V. Anitha. The leak
came into contact with an electrical panel before they could fix it, resulting
in an explosion and fire. MTBE is known to be profoundly combustible, and its
fumes can disturb the skin and eyes. Safety guidelines for MTBE emphasize the
need for explosion-proof equipment when working with the chemical and warn of
the high risk of fire and explosion.
Companies
that do not adhere to high safety standards are the targets of severe sanctions
from activists and trade unions. They demand an immediate and comprehensive
safety audit of all units in SEZs and other parts of Andhra Pradesh and
complain about the low safety standards. One of their primary worries is a 2016
government request that excluded units in SEZs and Product Handling Zones from
customary government reviews. In SEZs, high-risk industries like
pharmaceuticals and chemicals are also exempt from this requirement. The fact
that medium-risk industries are permitted to self-certify their safety
compliance on the basis of audits by third parties rather than undergoing
regular government inspections is another cause for concern.
With these
actions, the government wanted to make it easier for businesses to run without
having to worry about having to go through a lot of inspections, which could
lead to harassment and corruption. However, the string of accidents in the SEZ
suggests that this system may have flaws that must be fixed. There is a
developing require a more extensive examination concerning the wellbeing
rehearses in SEZs in Andhra Pradesh. In order to prevent future accidents,
punishing those who do not adhere to safety guidelines and awarding damages for
negligence may be effective deterrents.
Crisis in
Industrial Safety: Illustrations from Ongoing Misfortunes in Andhra Pradesh's
SEZs
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