More safety steps to prevent chemical explosions in factories: Tirupati collector

Tirupati: Following the deaths of seven persons while cleaning an oil tanker at a facility in Kakinada, the district administration has decided to implement more safety steps in factories.

District collector Venkata Ramana Reddy presided over a first meeting of the District Crisis Management Group, which included representatives of various factories and officials of the fire, factory, pollution control board, revenue, police and health and departments and listed new steps to reduce factory mishaps.

Around 11 industrial units are on the list of Major Accident Hazard (MAH)-A Industries, and some others are on the hazardous list as per the related central government rules set in 1996.

The collector said the factory, fire and health departments should respond quickly in the event of a fire. He also called for mock drills to strengthen the preparedness. Local-level crisis management groups would be formed in the divisions of Srikalahasti, Naidupet and Sullurpet, he said.

Deputy chief inspector of factories Ramakrishna Reddy said an emergency mock drill would be held at MAH-A category enterprises on Feb 23.