[splco_heading size=”15″ align=”left” margin=”30″]After Vizag gas leak, Centre Government has issued guidelines for restarting industries post-coronavirus lockdown. The MHA order also said that state governments should be prepared to implement a disaster management plan for major accidental hazard units.[/splco_heading]
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the Union Home Ministry has said that the manufacturing units which will restart after the Covid-19 lockdown ends, should consider the first week as the trial period.
“Due to several weeks of lockdown and the closure of industrial units during the lockdown period, it is possible that some of the operators might not have followed the established SOP.
As a result, some of the manufacturing facilities, pipelines, valves, etc. may have residual chemicals, which may pose risk,” the NDMA said in a letter to states.
“While restarting the unit, consider the first week as the trial or test run period; ensure all safety protocols; and not try to achieve high production targets,” it added.
The order also said that state governments should be prepared to implement a disaster management plan for major accidental hazard units.
“To minimise the risk, it is important that employees who work on specific equipment are sensitised and made aware of the need to identify abnormalities like strange sounds or smell, exposed wires, vibrations, leaks, smoke, abnormal wobbling, irregular grinding or other potentially hazardous signs which indicate the need for an immediate maintenance or if required shutdown,” the NDMA said.
It also said that factories should ensure 24-hour sanitisation, especially in the common areas that include lunch rooms and common tables which will have to be wiped clean with disinfectants after every single use.
For accommodation, sanitisation needs to be performed regularly to ensure worker safety and reduce spread of contamination, the guideline further said.
The order has been sent to all the state chief secretaries after gas leak at LG Polymers plant in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam in which 11 people were killed.
The gas leak happened before dawn, affecting villages near the factory. More than 1,000 people were admitted to the hospitals with breathing difficulties.
The Andhra Pradesh government headed by Jagamohan reddy announced 10milion Rs to the dead family and 100% medical care facilities for the other affected . The government will hold discussions with the company, but the families will be given Rs 1 crore,” he added.
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He said that there are almost 15,000 people in the area where the mishap took place. He announced Rs 10,000 each for all of them.
The Chief Minister further announced that Rs 25,000 will be given to all those who undergo primary care. Rs 1 lakh will be given to those who are hospitalised for at least 2 to 3 days. Rs 10 lakh compensation will be given to all those who get treatment on the ventilator.
“I order the officials to provide full medicare to these people at free of cost, and then pay compensation to them,” he added. Styrene gas had leaked in the gas plant of LG Polymers in RR Venkatapuram village in Visakhapatnam district which claimed 10 lives.
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However till date both Modi led center Government and the plant has not pronounced any relief or financial assistance to the affected people said a State government agency official who wants to be anonymous
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Also read : Visakhapatnam Gas Leak Disaster Made 5000+ Sick Amid 11 Deaths
