Visakhapatnam: Representatives of permanent and contract workers at the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), which operates the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, have raised serious concerns over alleged safety lapses, environmental pollution, and public health risks at the steel plant, warning that the situation could lead to a major industrial disaster if immediate corrective measures are not taken.
In the representation given to the collector last year, several trade union leaders representing the workers said hat the plant has witnessed an increase in fatal accidents, major equipment failures, and safety violations in recent years. They claimed that several safety guidelines issued by the Ministry of Steel are not being fully implemented and that standard operating and maintenance procedures are frequently overlooked in critical departments.
“The management has removed more than 5,000 experienced contract workers and appointed unskilled workers in their place,’’ said CITU leader Mani.
Talking to this correspondent soon after the Monday’s mishap in which eight workers were killed, she said the workers told them in their internal meetings that maintenance has stopped in steel plant since last two years which might lead to major disasters.
The workers further alleged that the plant’s dust extraction systems have deteriorated significantly, resulting in the release of fine silica dust that poses health risks to employees. They also expressed concern over the alleged emission of toxic gases and volatile organic compounds, including benzene, which they said could have serious health consequences for workers and nearby residents.
The representation highlighted concerns over the discharge of untreated industrial effluents containing hazardous chemicals into soil and coastal waters, warning of potential environmental damage and groundwater contamination. Workers also alleged that many employees continue to work under extreme heat and dust conditions without adequate protective equipment.
Describing the situation as critical, the worker representatives urged the government to constitute an independent expert committee to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the plant. They also called for an immediate safety audit, restoration of pollution-control systems, transparent reporting of accidents, and a health survey covering employees and residents in surrounding areas.
The workers appealed for urgent intervention to prevent any potential industrial accident and ensure the safety of employees, local communities, and the environment.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
