‘70% small,medium scale units flout norms’

Kiran Gawade,chief of the PCMC fire brigade,said,“Of late,many of the larger industrial units have started adhering to safety and health norms. More lapses are observed in small- and medium-scale industries.”

Omprakash Bahiwal of the PCMC’s disaster management cell said there was scope for improvement in safety standards.

N N Lolap,joint director of industrial safety and health for Bhosari,Pimpri,Chinchwad and Hinjewadi,says,“Most of the problems arise due to lack of knowledge. Many people who were traders earlier have now started their own manufacturing units. I can’t say how many do not adhere to the norms but there is always scope for improvement. We have registered about 80 cases (41 in 2011 and 39 in 2012 till date) against units Pimpri-Chinchwad and Hinjewadi. Most of these units are small- and medium-scale.”

The owner of a small manufacturing unit in Bhosari said,“During inspections,authorities only check for fire and chemical safety. What about hazards due to lack of maintenance? We have witnessed heavy objects falling and causing grievous injuries to workers. Many large units have well established procedures — right from disaster management to compensation for injuries or death. There is a lack of such systems in small- and medium-scale units. A change in the attitude of unit owners is required.”

Transit safety major concern too

On Tuesday,a tanker carrying Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) brushed past another vehicle,resulting in the leakage of the highly volatile chemical. PCMC’s fire brigade chief Kiran Gawade said,“Transport safety is a major cause for concern. The tanker had methanol written on it. Its TREMcard (Transport Emergency Card) said it was carrying another chemical.” Sources from the fire brigade and Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health said the police should have registered a complaint as they are responsible for the checking of the TREMcard. Gawade said,“The onus of transit safety must be on the supplier. They should be held responsible for mishaps.”