Tank repair - toxic gas leak/exposure - 3 persons die

In an incident reported, while replacing pipes under a scrubber tank in a pharma company, five persons became unconscious due to possible exposure to sodium bromide and hydrogen chloride gas from the tank. Person on rounds found the persons on the ground. Three were dead and two others are in serious condition.

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-gas-leak-kills-3-workers-at-ankleshwar-pharmaceutical-factory-two-critical/

DuPont Reaches $1.28 Million Settlement Over Toxic Gas Leaks -- Update - NASDAQ.com

DuPont Reaches $1.28 Million Settlement Over Toxic Gas Leaks -- Update - NASDAQ.com



Fines should be such that violations are not taken casually. Punishments are better than fines. This is applicable in all countries. Violators should not find benefit / profit in violation.

Everybody says safety first. But, do not explain the reasons for injuries/deaths and where they erred, unintentionally.

Woman found dead, gas leak suspected - Indian Express

Woman found dead, gas leak suspected - Indian Express

In an incident reported, a woman and two stray dogs were found dead in the sleep allegedly due to toxic gas leak from a waste transfer pipe passing through the area from industry to treatment plant. From this, it appears that there is no monitoring mechanism to assess healthiness of the piping. Whether any pipe markers with identification are in place or not is to be seen. In such a state, if somebody digs for something, he can encounter the pipe and any damage can cause jetting of the effluent from the pipe endangering the surroundings. How permission was given to lay the pipe across in the public area also should be enquired.

Gas leak smelled 80 miles away

A gas well leak through a quarter inch hole in the valve spread 80 miles down causing throat irritation and rotten egg smell. It is estimated that 135,000 cubic feet gas leaked before it was noticed and arrested. It is reported that the smell is due to high level sulfur compounds in the mercaptans collected in the gas at the well.
The reason for spread of gas so far is stated as "combination of a light south wind and an inversion of cold air trapped below low clouds with warmer atmosphere above the clouds prevented the gas dispersing upward and caused the gas to be closer to the ground, spreading the gas so far north".
Normally, when software models are used for particular weather conditions, we get dispersion distances which appear to be on higher side. "Experts" in the field too question such results stating that they are illogical. But, this incident is warning to users, emergency responders and regulators to be conservative on distance of impact and take protective measures in the area falling under this.

Grayling gas leak smelled 80 miles away

http://www.petoskeynews.com/gaylord/news/ght-n-gasleak-122811,0,693297.story

Gas leak kills FOUR

4 died (factory employees) and 11 were injured in an incident of a toxic hydrogen sulphide gas leak on 20.09.2011 (Tuesday) at 1915 hr in a pharma factory plant operations, located in Tarapur, India. The gas spread 5 km around the plant. The residents in the nearby area were evacuated after the incident. The leak was arrested. The plant did not request fire services as they thought that they can handle the situation and that there is no fire.
The nearest railway station is about 1 km from the factory. Three persons of the factory were booked for the incident, as per reports.  The plant is located in an area along with about 1250 factories and few residential areas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=IN&v=HbP_BmhpmaI
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-21/mumbai/30184327_1_gas-leak-fire-brigade-plant-officials
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/thane-gas-leak-3-company-officials-booked/1/152110.html
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_tarapur-power-plant-gas-leak-kills-4-workers_1589638
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article2473702.ece