Issues pertaining to occupational hazards discussed at DCPC

VADODARA, Dec 21: A number of critical issues pertaining to occupational hazards and preparedness against industrial disasters were discu...

VADODARA, Dec 21: A number of critical issues pertaining to occupational hazards and preparedness against industrial disasters were discussed at the annual meeting of the District Contigency Planning Committee here on Saturday. Participants — mainly comprising representatives of chemical giants of Vadodara — were asked to take steps for disaster mitigation and management on priority.

About 100 representatives from all the 67 MAH (major accident hazards) industries in the district, senior officials of the Factory Inspectorate and the District Collectorate took part in the meeting, chaired by District Collector Anil Mukim. Mukim reviewed the steps being taken by the industries and asked them to step up the same. The recent chemical blast at Transpek Industries Limited, which claimed four lives, also figured prominently in the meeting.

Mukim reviewed the preparedness, technically called safety audit’, of some industries and asked the others to complete the same without delay. He also asked industries to hold and participate in mock drills regularly, besides spreading awareness about safety and preventive measures among industrial workers.

Story continues below this ad

He said another meeting to review all the issues discussed on Saturday would be held in the beginning of the next year.

According to information, other important issues which were discussed at length, included on/off-site drills, lacunae found out during the previous rehearsals, education and training of industrial workers and pre-occupation and periodic health examinations of industrial employees.

While representatives included those of the IPCL, GSFC, Gujarat Refinery, GAIL, Deepak Nitrite, Dada Chemicals, Polychem, Grace Chemicals, Ashok Organics, besides others, Resident Deputy Collector C R Kharsan, senior inspector of factories J M Patel and Central Control Room chief B S Chadha were among the senior officials, who attended the day-long meeting.