Visakhapatnam: Another mishap took place at the Steel Melting Shop-1 of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) in the early hours of Thursday, jolting the employees who were yet to recover from the shock of Monday’s blast that killed nine workers and injured five others.
Joint chief inspector of factories Siva Sankar Reddy told Deccan Chronicle that a leak occurred in the ladle, and molten steel erupted onto the floor. “We took the issue seriously and told the management that such incidents should be avoided,’’ Siva Sankar said.
Regional fire officer Niranjan Reddy said he was not informed of the incident though this procedure was mandatory.
The police officer investigating Monday’s blast, Chittibabu said the incident was minor, but scared the employees.
Trade union leader Varasala Srinivasa Rao said 60 tonnes of molten steel was wasted on the floor due to the negligence of the management. He said the SMS-1 resumed operations from 1.30am after closure for two and a half days and the accident took place at 5.30 am.
He said workers, shocked, were refusing to enter the shop floor fearing fresh mishaps. He demanded that a judicial inquiry by a retired high court judge be carried out into the series of accidents at the steel plant during the last few years.
A senior official from RINL, who requested anonymity, said this was a small incident common to steel melting shops of steel plants. It flared up due to Monday’s blast, he said.
He also added that blast Furnace-1 was closed due to closure of one of the two steel melting shops. Maintenance work was long overdue and that would be carried out in the furnace.
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