5 workers injured in explosion at Rourkela Steel Plant unit

At least five persons, including an officer and four workers, were injured in an explosion inside Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). As per initial reports, the mishap occurred at SMS-1 of the plant on Saturday. The workers have sustained burn injuries allegedly after molten iron splashed on them.

The labour association has blamed the plant authorities for the mishap.

Prasant Behera, general secretary, Rourkela Labour Union said, “The hood of SMS-1 usually gets cloaked and there was no problem in clearing it. However, as there was water leakage, hot molten iron fell on water which caused a blast, leading to the accident.”

Behera said that though there are various SOPs and safety programmes, all such issues are neglected when it comes to meet production targets. “The officer has sustained around 35 to 40 percent burn injuries and they are undergoing treatment at the Ispat General Hospital,” Behera added.

Prafula Das, Crane Operator SMS-1 said, “There was leakage of water and production is continuing. The clearing of the hood of the convertor is done in operation as production needs to continue while it should have been cleared during cooling process. We had demanded to prevent the water leakage before the zonal safety committee and central safety committee.”

Meanwhile, no comments could be obtained from the Rourkela Steel Plant authorities over the allegations levelled by the staff.