(a) Yes, Madam.
(b) A fire accident occurred in Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) on 13/02/2018 at around 0912 hrs in a mobile offshore drilling unit named “SagarBhushan” of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), which was undergoing dry dock repairs at CSL. As per the preliminary assessment, the accident was caused by a momentary explosion of high impact in the air conditioner compartment of the forward area under living quarters of the vessel, where there was a suspected acetylene gas leak. Five lives were lost as a result of this incident and their details are: (1) Shri Unnikrishnan CS, Senior Fireman (permanent employee) (2) Shri VevinReji, Safety Assistant (CSL direct contract) (3) Shri Jayan K B, General Contract Workman (Fire watching) (contractor’s workman) (4) Shri Kannan M V
General Contract Workman (Fabrication) (contractor’s workman); and (5) Shri Ramshad M M, Contract Worker Supervisor (contractor’s workman). Regarding loss of material, the preliminary investigation has found the damage to be in the local area in the interior part of the ship and would need a detailed assessment to ascertain the time and cost needed to restore the same. There is no damage to the exterior part of the ship or any shipyard infrastructure.
(c) The details of compensation paid/being paid to the injured and the family of deceased persons are as follows : (A) for the deceased: (i) to the family, Rs.10 Lakhs, in addition to the statutory compensation and insurance relief as applicable to them; (ii) appropriate employment on compassionate grounds to any eligible dependant of the deceased; (iii) appropriate financial aid towards the education of the children of the deceased, up to and including graduate level; and (iv) to enable the families to defray the expenses related to the funeral and other rituals, Rs.25,000/- disbursed on the day itself and (B) for the injured: (i) all treatment expenses incurred for the injured; (ii) amount equivalent to 2 months normal wages to the injured disbursed immediately; and (iii) in addition to the statutory compensation relief, Company to disburse wages to the injured till they return to work.
(d) A high level enquiry into the incident was ordered by the Chairman and Managing Director, CSL, under the Chairmanship of Director (Operations) of CSL. An enquiry was also ordered by Factories and Boilers Directorate, Govt. of Kerala. The state police are also investigating the incident. Apart from this, based on a request from ONGC, Director (Exploration and Production), Offshore Industry Safety Directorate, also visited, inspected and recorded his findings.
(e) Based on the findings of the preliminary enquiry, a set of immediate actions has been taken and further systemic improvements, if any required, will also be implemented on completion of the enquiry and receipt of investigation reports.
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