Fatal accident during maintenance on underground enclosure

https://www.manufacturing.net

Rail track maintenance - safety issues

As per several news paper reports, the following appear to be the safety issues / challenges involved in track maintenance:

1. Train schedules need to be maintained.
2. This leads second priority for release of equipment / tracks for maintenance.
3. Punctuality pressure is making concerned not understanding the problem and thus not giving top priority even for immediate maintenance.
4. "unofficial work" i.e. doing maintenance on the tracks by putting red flags at 1200 m on either side of the track, but without restricting the speed of trains on the track will even put the lives of maintenance crew on tracks at risk, as it is likely that they make take chance to complete the work before the train passes through.
5. If they start and do not complete the work, then all those on the train are at risk.
6. Then, the observation of highly educated like degree holders in engineering, business administration etc joining as trackmen do not listen to supervisors also appears to be correct. For unemployed, getting job is first priority. After getting the job at junior cadre, they find that they are monitored by persons whose education levels are at SSC or so but they have become seniors due to experience. This makes ego hurt in some persons with BE / BTech / MBA qualification and leads to disobedience. Their non-cooperation leads to work pressure on others.

Unless maintenance is given top priority and the authority for decision making lies with field supervisor, these types of accidents appear to be routine. Due to availability of smart phones, the field persons can take photographs of the track to be repaired and can send through whatsapp or similar application to their next level official and can obtain permission for work. This will definitely put some control on abuse of authority by field staff but at the same allowing next higher level to make decision immediately and allow for maintenance.

Construction site deaths - scaffold collapse, fall from height, electric shock

Avoidable accidents at different construction sites led to death of 3 persons in construction sites.
The primary reasons are collapse of scaffold on which persons were working, fall of person from height and burns due to electric shock respectively.
The news item may be read in the link below.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/three-construction-workers-killed-within-5-hours/

Lab facility takes electrical repairs after fire safety audit

The premium lab initiates electrical repairs based on fire safety audit. The facility saw 14 accidents during last 15 years. Short circuit alone caused Rs 7.48 crore loss out of total loss of Rs 7.84 crores.
Anytime is better than ignoring.

The facility needs appreciation for taking up fire safety audit and initiating measures.
https://www.nyoooz.com/news/pune/894897/ncl-undergoes-fire-safety-audit-orders-fresh-electrical-repairs-on-its-premises/

Gas cylinder explosion during refilling - cylinder flies 800 m

A person died during explosion while refilling helium gas cylinder. The cylinder flew off 800 m.

Cylinder filling needs to be done only by authorized agencies with necessary precautions as per Gas Cylinder Rules.

 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/balloon-seller-dies-as-gas-cylinder-explodes-in-mumbai/articleshow/60038330.cms?intenttarget=no&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Top_Headlines

Construction safety - lessons to be learnt

NDTV news report link provides details about construction industry hazards.

Read the report here.http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/even-after-fatal-accidents-indias-construction-sites-remain-death-traps-for-workers-1734233

Drop in accidents inspite of increase in number of vehicles in Delhi in last seven years

As per reports appeared in Times of India and Economic Times, 32 lakh vehicles are added in Delhi during last seven years. However, the accidents dropped by 26.4% during the period.
The traffic authorities are confident of improving safety by engineering measures, awareness and enforcement of regulations.