Beirut blast prompts Odisha to run checks on hazardous factories
The Beirut port was destroyed after a massive explosion in a chemical dump rocked the Lebanese capital on Augu…Read More
BHUBANESWAR: In view of the massive explosion in Beirut on August 4, the state government has sought details of the quantity of inflammable and explosive materials used, handled and stored in different factories of the state. Official sources said the step has been taken to avoid a similar tragedy here.
“We have asked factories to report about the explosive materials used and the manner in which those have been stored. The inspectors/field-level officials have also been asked to verify whether all safety protocols are being followed and also find out if these materials have been stored in warehouses or ports,” said director of factories and boilers N Thirumala Naik told TOI.
He has also asked the factories to take all safety measures to prevent any untoward incident and furnish a report on their preparedness to deal with emergencies.
Improper storage of ammonium nitrate is reported to have caused the Beirut blast. The explosive chemical is widely used by fertilizer manufacturers and in some cases in coal fields for explosion.
As Jagatsinghpur district has two major fertilizer units, Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL) and IFFCO, the district administration has kept a close watch on those units. Paradip Port is also located in the district.
“Safety audits have been carried out in both the fertilizer manufacturing units. While safety audit of PPL was executed by the field-level officers last month, we are going to do it in the IFFCO unit next week,” said collector (Jagatsinghpur) Sangram Mohapatra. Similar safety audit is also being conducted regularly in other major plants like the refinery of Indian Oil Corporation Limited.
Official sources in the fertilizer units said mock drills to tackle any chemical disaster are being conducted at regular intervals. The safety audit is being conducted in accordance with the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical (amendment) Rules.
A senior PPL official said ammonia, sulphuric acid and phosphorous acid have been stored within the plant following all protocols and safety norms. The fertilizer plant apart, no chemical has been stored in any of the three major ports of Paradip, Dhamra and Gopalpur. These ports usually handle dry cargo, said an official.
The official source said the Centre has recently directed the ports to verify whether any hazardous material is lying in warehouses and ports.