10 major industrial accidents in Bangladesh during last 12 years - an article in Indian Express

A compilation of list of 10 major industrial accidents in Bangladesh during last 12 years is available. The link is as below:

http://indianexpress.com/article/world/bangladesh-factory-blast-multifabs-limited-dhaka-4734588/

Among these, six are of fire incidents, 3 are of building collapse including an 8 storey building collapse leading to 1136 deaths and several injuries, and one incident of toxic leak.

Above building collapse is worded as second major industrial accident in the world after Bhopal accident.

It requires tremendous efforts and careful planning when we plan to have buildings accommodating such huge number of persons with regards to emergency. It is a lesson for all of us.

Industrial accidents - No value for human meat?

Today, I attended a one-day medical education programme. In one of the sessions, a speaker, while speaking about industrial injuries and care to be taken, lamented that we value animal meat whereas no importance/value is given to human meat. 

This statement is very much appropriate considering the fact that little care is taken to protect workers and this is the reason for occurrence of so many injuries every year in industrial establishments. Lucky are those who retire, without disfiguring their organs.

Do not permit permissible pollution

In many industrial areas, the surrounding atmosphere is filled with smell/odor of chemicals.  The residents in the area bear this and only when accidents take place, these residents and media complain about presence of chemicals, smell, health problems, etc. Otherwise, there will not be much coverage about the problems. 

Though, these pollutants are present below the AAQ limits, still they are a nuisance to the residents. Workmen may be exposed to pollutants below TLV because these limits are for occupational workers, and they are working knowingly that they have to work with chemicals. But, why the residents should bear the brunt even to a minor extent. 

Plants should be designed for effective 100% scrubbing and neutralization of all pollutants and discharge stacks are designed for release at highest level wherein the dispersion does not lead to even nuisance pollution. If this is not done, in the long run, industries may face the ire from local residents, NGOs, media, etc leading to restrictions/closure of their plants. 

In addition, industries should spend a part of their profits towards CSR activities to improve the life of local residents by providing facilities for drinking water, roads, schools, community centers, etc and educate them for leading a healthy life.

Recurrence of accidents - lack of safety culture

We read a number of industrial and road accidents in news papers. It appears that we never learn and never want to learn also. In factories, we do not follow even the well laid out rules of various statutes and established procedures and on the road, we do not respect the others on the road. We are in hurry always and we do not want to start a bit early. Even if the other person on the road is wrong, if we avoid showing our road rage, we can avoid many of the accidents.

In the factory, regular monitoring of operating parameters, keeping an ear for the noises from the machines,motors, agitators, equipment; monitoring process and storage inventories; leaving the aisles free from obstructions, interacting with shop floor employees, self discipline by employees, etc can reduce accidents. But, most of the supervisors and engineers appear to be stuck to the tables. When there is no monitoring, then it leads to bypassing of procedures, wrong reporting and complacency. This also gives a wrong signal to new recruits.

Most of the plant layouts also appear to be congested. We put more and more equipment in the same area  and whatever planned during initial setup with sufficient space will not be seen after future capacity additions. This congestion also leads to unsafe conditions and can endanger the lives of employees in emergency.

If the rot is not attended in the beginning stage, then even the best management expert can't do anything. When we compromise the above safety issues for the fear of unrest, union problems, unrealistic production goals, then so be it and see the deterioration of safety culture and one day, you may close the shop temporarily for a few months or permanently.