Industrial Accidents

An explosion at a chemical reactor in Dombivli, Maharashtra, caused multiple fatalities and injuries.

Frequent Industrial Accidents in Maharashtra:

Reports indicate that industrial accidents have been alarmingly frequent in the years 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2023.

Causes:

1. Lack of Implementation of Relocation Plans: The Maharashtra government has failed to relocate 156 chemical factories from the Dombivli MIDC area to Patalganga, despite a decision made in 2022.
2. Enforcement Gaps: The boiler involved in the accident was not registered under the Indian Boiler Regulations of 1950.
3. Inadequate Inspection: The Directorate General Factory Advice Service & Labour Institutes’ 2022 report highlights poor inspection practices, likely due to staff shortages and increased workload.
   • In 2021, only 23.89% of hazardous factories and 8.04% of registered factories in Maharashtra were inspected.
   • The national inspection rates were 14.65% for hazardous factories and 26.02% for registered factories.
4. Low Prosecution Rates: Low prosecution rates reduce the deterrent effect of inspections, with rates at 6.95% in Gujarat, 13.84% in Maharashtra, and 14.45% in Tamil Nadu.
5. Corruption in the Inspection System: The Maharashtra Industry Development Association has acknowledged an “understanding” between auditors and factory owners or managers.
6. Liberalisation of Laws: Reforms such as self-certification, randomised inspections, online inspections, and third-party certification contravene several articles of the International Labour Organization’s Labour Inspection Convention (081) of 1947.

Way Forward:

• Penal System for Enforcers: Establishing a penal system for enforcers to ensure full legal compliance is essential.

Role of Inspectors: Inspectors should both “inspect” and “facilitate” compliance with laws for employers and unions