Punishment for felling trees

A property owner was booked with case under AP WALTA (Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Tree Act 2002) for felling three trees (gulmohar, fountain and rubber trees) in the municipal area adjacent to his property. The officials on the way to their work found this and booked a case under WALTA. They also want to book a case for damaging government property. 

As per the Act, unless it endangers life or property, one can not cut trees or its branches. For this also, permission is to be obtained from District Forest Officer. 

The penalties for first offence range from 2-5 times the value of the tree and repeat offence will attract double  penalty. 

Though I heard about this Act long time ago through one of my colleagues, this is the first time to my knowledge that somebody is slapped with case for tree cutting.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Owner-lands-in-trouble-for-felling-old-trees-on-property/articleshow/15968255.cms

http://www.apard.gov.in/walta-act.pdf

http://www.krdrillers.com/ap_waltaact.pdf

SafetySmart Compliance » Blog Archive The James Beals Tragedy: The Price of Neglecting Confined Spaces Safety

SafetySmart Compliance » Blog Archive The James Beals Tragedy: The Price of Neglecting Confined Spaces Safety

The above link is about confined space tragedy in which a person died due to asphyxiation. Oxygen levels should be measured at the actual place of work before entry and every time before entry so that safe work atmosphere can be checked and ensured. Confined space hazard evaluation should be carried out however short the work is and do not believe by words but verify safe work atmosphere with measurements before entering the confined space.

Fire safety in theatres

Andhra Pradesh Government asked movie theatre owners to ensure fire safety. As per the fire department, all the theatres should ensure availability of atleast 10000 lit water in a tank, an earmarked area for fire engine, battery backup, emergency lights, fire alarms, public address system, etc. Government did not agree that most of the single screen theatres were setup long ago. Such arguments appear to the common man that theatre managements are compromising their safety. Strict punishments awarded few years ago to the owners and concerned government authorities for the tragedy in Uphar theatre in Delhi should be remembered by all. As per the news reports, theatre managements also realized for ensuring fire safety in their theatres.

Few years ago, traffic police department released a small video for screening in theatres in which the person purchasing the ticket enquires ticket counter person fire safety of the theatre.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Plea-for-theatre-ticket-hike-meets-fire-wall/articleshow/15576790.cms

Scaffolding with stairs

Recently, in a construction site for a metro rail project, I saw scaffolding with stairs within it to reach the work place at height. Further full barricading sheets all along the work place, warning lamps for night riders, radiating tapes, illumination,  latest concrete transfer machines with minimum space occupied on the road and persons to direct the traffic are provided to reduce inconvenience to  commuters. It is heartening to see such safety measures by the contractor for the workers.  Generally, it is rare to see such access provisions at construction sites and they try to make money not using safety wear. Every construction site should follow good practices as above so that workers, public and authorities will be satisfied with the work.

Lab safety

http://www.chemicalplantsafety.net/lab-safety/most-noticeable-lab-safety-equipment/

About fire extinguishers

http://www.chemicalplantsafety.net/fire-extinguishers/9-important-facts-about-fire-extinguisher-you-should-know/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ChemicalPlantSafety+%28Chemical+Plant+Safety+Resources%29

Who is responsible for regulating the factories?

After a fire incident in an ink factory and godown (see previous post) where fire services fought for 22 hours to control the fire, it is not clear which government department is responsible for looking after safety. Pollution control board feels the factory/godown does not come under them as it is not polluting. Industries department, a single window, says it is only for facilitation. Factories department too is not responsible as the factory in question employs less than 10 employees. The role of municipality which gave water connection and that of electricity department that provided electrical connection is not known.
From the above, it is really surprising how safety of the employees, public and environment can be ensured and this can be the reason for existence of illegal units in industrial areas.
This calls for changes in the Acts such that however small and whatever be the nature of operation, permissions should be obtained from departments of factories, pollution control, explosives, electricity, municipality, fire, health, police, etc and then only the local revenue or some identified department permits setting up of the plant.
It is mandatory even for shops to register with local municipality and pay taxes as required. Hence, the ambiguity in safety during industrial activity must be removed by proper legislation.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Factory-fire-Govt-departments-pass-the-buck/articleshow/15523227.cms