Fire in Tamilnadu Express train on 30.07.2012 at 0420 hr

In a train fire incident on 30.07.2012 at about 0420 hr in Tamilnadu Express train that travels from New Delhi to Chennai, 32 passengers died and 28 received burn injuries, a few them in critical state. The incident took place immediately after the train crossed the Nellore railway station (the train after a stop at Vijayawada stops only at its terminal stop i.e. Chennai central, running nonstop for 7 hours between these two stations  covering 430 km distance). The station master or others at Nellore did not see any thing wrong while the train passed but an alert gateman of a level crossing at about a  kilometer from Nellore railway station saw flames from the toilet of S-11 coach and alerted the station. When someone pulled chain, the train stopped after travelling for about 5 minutes. 

Various news reports say the train travelling at 80-110 kmph and at the time of the incident, all four doors of the coach and windows are in closed condition due to rains. A loud sound was heard between berths 40 & 44 as told by survivors and the escape of passengers inside was restricted due to unauthorized passengers sleeping on aisle in the coach, fire in the vestibule connecting S-11 and S-10 coaches, jamming of the three doors out of four and one out of two emergency escape windows due to heat. (In every coach, generally side lower berths will be under reservation-against-cancellation (RAC) with two passengers sitting on the berth and it is likely that one of the two in every berth may sleep on the aisle or space between main berths). Few lucky escaped through S-12 coach. Piling of dead bodies near the door is an indication of inability of passengers to escape due to jamming of doors. At the time of the incident, a long goods train with two engines passed for five minutes and thus nobody could escape for that period from the emergency window by which time many succumbed due to asphyxiation and burns. It is reported that fire tenders reach by 0445 hour and used gas cutters to open the doors for fire fighting.

Various theories are reported for the reason as below.

1. Finding of a kerosene can wrapped in a jute bag in the gutted coach, leading to sabotage theory.
2. Short circuit in the battery power supply unit, with sparks flying to ceiling fan near the gate leading to spread of fire. It is reported that 110 V supply is used in the trains and this is unlikely to lead to short circuit.

Similar fire earlier on 31.07.2008 at 0000 hr in Goutami Express near Kesamudram in Warangal district with fire starting from the toilet of S-10 coach spreading the fire to S-11, S-12 caused 32 deaths.

A committee constituted by former railway minister with Dr.Anil Kakodkar as Chairman observed that most of the train fire incidents took place between 0200 and 0600 hr due to lack of proper detection, warning and fire fighting system and recommended many measures including fire detectors as smoke detectors can't be effective in running train, banning of use of gas cylinders for cooking in pantry cars, etc. Though, smoking is prohibited, still passenger smoke in the toilets or near the doors and this too can lead to fires. 

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/andhra-pradesh/article3702051.ece?homepage=true

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3704655.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3704654.ece Tamilnadu Express incident list

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/article3704435.ece About Indian Railways guidelines on fire safety

http://m.indianexpress.com/news/fire-in-train-coach-kills-at-least-25-in-nellore/981358/

http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/tamil-nadu-express-fire-toll-mounts-to-32-may-rise-further_790551.html

Education system - stress on children

Every few years, syllabus of lower classes is being increased by adding that from higher classes and this is making the children to spend more time to study with no time for sports, etc thus causing stress in them. People say that increasing competition is leading to stress, but when we compare how we were and what our children are, it is apparent that the present syllabus in classes VI-X is heavy and contains some portions from higher classes of our time. Though, experts say young brains are capable of grasping whatever is fed to them, but there should be a limit to it. One should remember that innovations and technologies of present day are due to efforts of people who studied earlier with the syllabus not so heavily loaded. 

With the shortsightedness of some people who review and decide syllabus, children are getting stuffed with more and more syllabus with passing years. For an adult, syllabus of lower classes appears easy but not for the kids who have to actually go through. This appears to be a reason why syllabus is increased at regular intervals without realizing its effects on the growth of the young children.

More syllabus is leading to shortcuts in studies for getting marks, without understanding. Students are fed with questions and answers, asked to remember the answers and in the process killing their interest, logical thinking abilities, and eventually harming the future generations. Even parents also join the race by forcing their wards to study with no relaxation. If a kid comes to parent for explanation, many of the present day parents are not in a position to clarify the doubts. When left with no other option, they ask their kids to memorize without understanding.

The results are already visible with many students in colleges (after 10+2) having back log of subjects because no body feeds them with questions and answers in higher classes unlike in lower classes. Many corporate HR managers of the view that the present day job aspirants do not have good understanding of the subjects though they got good marks in their college examinations. 

Sometimes, I read in news papers that the syllabus are trimmed by some governments but unless it is done for all states, no gains can be seen forcing the children to memorize the lines.

Road accidents in India

In an article in mint daily on 24.07.2012, it is stated that fatalities due to road accidents in India are on the rise and in the year 2011, 11.8 persons died per lakh of population compared to 11.4, 10.8, 10.5 in 2010, 2009 and 2008 respectively. Within the country, highest fatalities due to road accidents are in the state Goa where 23 persons per lakh die, followed by Tamilnadu (21), Puducherry (19), Haryana (19), Dadra & Nagar Haveli (18.4), Andhra Pradesh (17.9), Delhi (12.3), Maharashtra (11.6), Uttar Pradesh (11), Bihar (4.9).
As per WHO, every hour 40 persons under the age 25 die in the globe and this is 14/hr in India in 2009. The report says drunken driving is a major factor along with speeding, low use of helmets/seat belts, etc. Deaths are on rise progressive states like Maharashtra, Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh.
From the road safety statistics above, it appears that road accidents are less in states with good rail network compared to others and this calls for increasing the coverage of the country with good rail network. This will also help in decongestion of roads, reduction in import of fossil fuels thus saving foreign exchange, less pollution and better health.


http://www.livemint.com/2012/07/23233225/Path-to-safety.html?h=B news item
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/5973996/Users/Pooja/G-ACCIDENTS.pdf road accident statistics
http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,5519345,00.html WHO report

Safety audit of Parliament reveals security hazards

The news item about hazards in the Parliament appeared in today's edition of Times of India can be read in the following link.
Safety audit of Parliament reveals security hazards

The report of safety audit points to temporary nature of jobs that have become permanent, like cabins, partitions, loose wiring, addition of air conditioners, piling of broken furniture along the stairs, etc restricting/altering access, creating hazards and putting the lives of the persons in the building at risk. It is reported that the furniture is removed based on the audit report and canteen kitchen is being moved to avoid use of gas cylinders as explosives and recommended for use of piped gas. Though it is not reported, vehicle parking also should be looked into from safety and security aspects. It will be a Herculean task for the security officials to screen these vehicles apart from the persons, but requires attention.
LINK

Accident Investigation 101: What to Do and What Not to Do » SafetySmart

Do's and Dont's for accident investigation, appeared in Safety Smart, 18.07.2012 Wednesday.
Accident Investigation 101: What to Do and What Not to Do » SafetySmart

LINK

Odd and extra working hours - some facilities to staff

It is common for persons to work extra hours for various reasons. May be some shopfloor problems are to be attended, a report is to be made urgently, production schedules are to be met, breakdown maintenance is to be done, somebody did not report and person doing the work has to continue next shift, and so on. These persons need to be taken care properly by allowing them to have break for some rest, some snacks/food, proper sitting/rest place, etc. Though Factories Act requires these issues to be attended, in many factories, there are no change rooms / canteen facilities, particularly for daily wage earners / contract workers. They have to settle under a tree or shed for rest and to have their food. 

So called canteens supply tea/coffee and food at fixed timings and those who have to take meals/food at intervals find it difficult and their health and performance is affected over a time period. One can't bring food prepared at home to meet his/her requirement for extended working hours. And cakes/biscuits can't replace the regular food. 

Managements should ensure availability of fresh, energetic and hygienic food at all times to their employees so that they too can have their break and refreshment and resume the work with renewed vigor. 

Accident alert - Don't leave the child in the car

In an incident, a child was left in the car and by the time father returned, the child was found dead in a tragic way. The accident alert appeared in Cite Digest can be read in the following link.
http://www.citehr.com/418712-accident-alert.html

Protect Yourself From Respiratory Hazards » SafetySmart

Good article from Safety Smart on the subject.
Protect Yourself From Respiratory Hazards » SafetySmart

Many times, persons actually doing the job also ignore the advice and try to do the job saying that it is a 2 minute job. And, they would never see the light again. Before carrying out any job, particularly in closed spaces, one should measure the concentration of all possible pollutants and also oxygen in the work atmosphere, particularly at the actual place of the work. Pollutants should be exhausted by proper ventilation so that oxygen levels are within permissible range. If it is suitable, one should enter the space by following all precautions. Else, they will become victims of dangerous work place. Though, people say 19.5% of oxygen is sufficient to enter a confined space, but still it is below 21% level in atmosphere. We should find out which are the pollutants in the work place that caused reduction in oxygen level to 19.5%. We know that carbon monoxide at 5000 ppm (0.5%) is fatal.
It is better to ensure oxygen levels nearer to atmospheric levels of 21%, else one should use self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) so that one can work safely.
Apart from confined space jobs, respiratory protection is also required in jobs where fumes, mists, dust, etc are likely to be generated / present in the work place. Engineering measures should be taken and then as a last line of protection, one can go for personal protective equipment, in this case, use of respiratory protection.
LINK

Demolition Job Explodes in Workers’ Face » SafetySmart

A person while cutting a line with angle grinder, the gas inside the line exploded on the face causing burn injuries on the face and forearms. Wearing goggles and hand gloves saved the person from more injuries. We heard earlier, hot work i.e welding on  the pipe lines / tanks caused explosion (due to heating of contents inside and building up the pressure). In this case, possibly, after the line is cut, the escaping gas would have ignited from the sparks of grinding job.
Demolition Job Explodes in Workers’ Face » SafetySmart

LINK

Fire safety of the buildings

In the aftermath of the fire in Maharashtra's Secretariat building Mantralaya last week, an article appeared in Times of India on 24.06.2012 stating the review of fire safety in all buildings and maintaining the minimum requirements (as per National Building Code) to fight fire. They are,

1. maintaining atleast 6 m radius around the buildings free space to enable fire tender movement (this is also to be maintained free from trees and vegetation so that any fire involving them will not lead to fire in the building)
2. have fire detection and alarm system
3. have fire hydrants, wet riser, hose reel and automatic sprinkler system
4. have atleast 75,000 liter underground water tank and atleast 10,000 liter terrace tank exclusively for fire fighting
5. maintain atleast minimum number of (portable) fire extinguishers
6. have emergency lighting in and around the building
7. have one single switch in every building (at an easily identifiable and accessible location) to cut off power supply in case of short circuits (obviously this should be located in the main corridor, preferably at the entrance of the building)
8. have radiant (self luminescent) emergency exit direction markings along the corridor to the nearest exits
9. not blocking / locking the emergency exits / stairs with unwanted materials
10. test electrical systems also regularly to avoid overload/short circuit (as for any fire, people immediately show short circuit as the reason)
11. have CCTV surveillance system
12. display cautionary boards like do not smoke
13. remove the waste/scrap every day
14. test the systems regularly to see and ensure functioning of all fire protection system
15. have nodal officer in every building responsible for fire safety
16. conduct drills to all occupants to prepare them in case of any fire mishap
17. etc

The above guidelines will help in protecting the persons and property from fire mishaps.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-24/hyderabad/32392807_1_wet-riser-fire-mishap-detection-and-alarm-system