Bhilai, Dec 20: A major mishap was fortunately averted at the Rail and Structural Mill of Bhilai Steel Plant. The labours working at the Long Rails area of the mill had a narrow escape in this incident. Hindustan Steel Employees Union (CITU) leaders informed that a giant bucket which is used to carry the cropped rails suddenly slipped from the crane and came down on the ground. Fortunately no one was hurt.
According to information, the ends of the finished rails are cropped and are collected in a bucket. When this bucket gets filled, it is shifted outside with the help of a crane. One such bucket was being lifted on Thursday but accidentally it slipped from the crane and came down on the ground. It is suspected that the mishap occurred due to failure of brakes.
CITU leaders conducted inspection at the mishap site to assess the actual cause. They discovered that the cranes were being operated by the contract labours. The trade unions had been raising the demand of deploying skilled and permanent workmen on such tasks but the management is arbitrarily forcing the contract labours to accomplish such significant tasks. At several places, the contract labours are operating the critical cranes also, which is against the norms.
The union leaders further informed that petty mistakes or negligence often lead to disastrous mishaps. For this reason only, the skilled and experienced men should be deployed on such critical tasks. In the present situation, the standard operation procedure is often neglected as the contract labours are ignorant about several issues. While lifting the jobs or any other item from the cranes, the operator should use the bells. The sound of bells is warning indicators for the workmen working on the floor. But at some places, the cranes are being operated without bells. Further, several incidents have come into light in which the weight above permissible limits were lifted by the cranes.
They further alleged that the lack of maintenance is also a matter of great concern. Earlier, there was a system of taking shut down of two days for maintenance which was later reduced to one day. But at present, the maintenance is conducted only in case of breakdown. Union leaders further said that they have been raising the demand of conducting proper and regular maintenance for ensuring smooth conduct of operations and processes but the management is yet to take any positive steps.
CITU leaders further alleged that the management always tries to cover-up or hide the mishaps. One such incident occurred on Thursday in which a contract labour suffered injuries on hand. But instead of taking him to Main Medical Post, the contractor in nexus with a lower rank officer took the injured labour outside the plant and he was provided treatment at a private hospital. This was done to hide the mishap. When union leaders inquired about this mishap from the concerned executive, he gave a very casual reply with intention to avoid giving clarification. Union leaders asserted that every injury, be it small or big, should be reported at the Main Medical Post compulsorily.