Industrial Safety Failure in Telangana

On July 1, 2024, a powerful explosion at Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd., a pharmaceutical unit in Pashamylaram industrial area of Telangana, claimed at least 17 lives and injured over 30 workers. The incident highlights glaring deficiencies in industrial safety, regulatory compliance, and emergency response mechanisms, despite the existence of an elaborate legal framework in India.

Industrial accidents in India:

Scale of the Problem

• 130 major chemical accidents reported in India in the past 10 years (NDMA data).
• Resulted in 259 deaths and 563 major injuries.
• Fatal accidents recurring: Major industrial accidents reported in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2023.

Common Causes of Industrial Accidents

• Lack of Safety Measures
  • Inadequate safety training.
  • Poorly maintained or unregistered machinery (e.g., boiler not registered under Indian Boiler Regulations, 1950).
  • Non-compliance with hazard signage requirements.
• Human Error
  • Negligence, fatigue, or lack of awareness.
• Unsafe Work Environments
  • Congested layouts, inadequate ventilation.
  • Especially risky in chemical-intensive sectors (e.g., pharma, textiles).
• Machinery Malfunctions
  • Outdated equipment or maintenance lapses.
  • Workers at high risk of amputations and crush injuries (e.g., auto-sector).
• Electrical Hazards
  • Short circuits, overloaded wiring.
• Chemical Exposure
  • Leaks, spills, or inhalation causing acute or chronic health issues.

Inspection and Prosecution Gaps

• Low Inspection Rates for Hazardous Factories (2021):
  • Maharashtra: 89%
  • Tamil Nadu: 39%
  • Gujarat: 81%
  • National average: 02%
• Poor Prosecution Rates:
  • Gujarat: 95%
  • Maharashtra: 84%
  • Tamil Nadu: 45%

Impact on Workers

• Physical Injuries: Cuts, fractures, burns.
• Permanent Disabilities: Loss of limbs, especially in heavy machinery sectors.
• Fatalities: Recurring with poor emergency preparedness.
• Long-Term Illness: Respiratory issues, skin ailments, cancer due to chemical exposure.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

• Factories Act, 1948 (with 1987 Amendment): Core legal provision for factory safety.
• Indian Boiler Regulations, 1950: Mandatory registration for operational boilers.
• Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020:
  • Consolidates 13 labour laws.
  • Covers health and safety of workers in factories and hazardous units.
• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: Governs industrial pollution and accident risk.
• Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991: Mandates compensation in hazardous industries

Government Initiatives

• National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Workplace (NPSHEW)
• Industrial Safety & Disaster Management Plans
• NDMA Guidelines on Chemical (Industrial) Disasters
• Labour Inspection and Enforcement System (Sharam Suvidha Portal)
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): Sets norms for industrial equipment and safety practices.

Global Frameworks and Support

• ILO Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health (2024–2030): Promotes global workplace safety standards. and aligns with SDGs and decent work agenda.
• OECD Chemical Accidents Programme: Framework for prevention, preparedness, and response.
• EU Seveso Directive: Focused on Major Accident Hazard (MAH)
• UN Environment: National chemical safety and capacity-building programmes.
• WHO: Public health management during chemical incidents.
• UNDRR: Advocates for disaster resilience in industrial clusters.
• OPCW: Promotes chemical safety and secure handling practices.

Way Forward

• Mandatory Risk Assessment Audits for hazardous factories.
• Digital Factory Registries with real-time safety compliance tracking.
• Training & Capacity Building for factory workers and safety officers.
• Community Awareness Programs near chemical industrial zones.
• Stringent Penalties for violation of safety norms and regulatory negligence.
• Third-party inspections to reduce collusion and increase objectivity.