(a) whether the Government is aware of the recent explosion at Bhilai Steel Plant Authority of India which resulted in 13 deaths and injuries to a large number of persons;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any high level inquiry has been conducted in this regard;
(d) if so, the details and findings thereof; and
(e) the corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for security and safety at Steel plants and to prevent recurrence of such accidents?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)
(a)&(b): On 09.10.2018, a protocol job was undertaken for de-blanking of 1800 mm diameter Coke Oven gas line located at Column C-50 behind Coke Oven Battery (COB)#11 at about +10 Meter level at Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). Necessary clearances were obtained from different agencies as per protocol along with reduction in network pressure. After removal of blank plate, preparation of insertion of ring packing was going on. At that time, flame burst out and employees of Environment Management Department (EMD) & Fire brigade involved in the job got trapped in the fire. As a result, 9 persons died on spot and 5 persons succumbed to their injury in course of treatment at Jawahar Lal Nehru (JLN) Hospital, Bhilai.
(c)&(d): An inquiry committee was constituted by SAIL comprising of experts from different plants of SAIL to ascertain reasons of this incident, suggest appropriate measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents and fix responsibility. Similarly a High Level Committee was constituted by Ministry of Steel to conduct independent inquiry into the causes of this incident. The reports of both the committees have been submitted.
(e) Both SAIL and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) have taken a number of measures to avoid occurrence of accidents. These measures, inter alia, include adherence to maintenance schedule, thrust on systematic approach to safety management, strict adherence to safety procedures, regular inspection, mandatory training and special training on safety awareness, conduct of safety audit, enforcing use of personal protection equipment and proper implementation of emergency plan prepared as per the provisions of the Factories Act, 1948 etc. Further, based upon accident analysis, area specific safety workshop involving all major steel producers, have been organised in recent past to facilitate learning from good practices.
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