Unfit industrial boilers

It is for more than a decade that these avoidable disasters of boiler explosion have been occurring

Rather shockingly, some 2500 active boilers used in the industrial sector of the country are running without any mandatory fitness certificate. The alarming revealation came in the wake of a massive explosion of a defective boiler – killing at least 13 while injuring some 50 more at a garment factory recently. More to it, a total of 33 people had died from boiler explosions in the last six months. In April alone, 20 people were killed in a boiler explosion at a rice mill in Dinajpur.

However, our expectation is that the last explosion at Multifab Fashion Limited should be the last one since all such explosions were admittedly avoidable. A statement issued by the concerned authorities for overseeing and inspecting industrially used boilers said that it was impossible for only eight inspectors to inspect boilers and issue fitness certificates to them every year. But this cannot logically be an acceptable excuse. Not that the problem is a new one; in fact, it is for more than a decade that these avoidable industrial disasters of boiler explosion have been occurring.    

Nevertheless, the solution is not that complex as it seems from the evident limitations in our existing capabilities. Firstly, the number of inspectors should be increased. Secondly, all factories using boilers should have their respective boiler officers and put regular inspection of boilers under the mandatory compliance list, and thirdly, the course of action for issuing fitness certificates should be simplified and quickened. Issuing of certificates should not be solely dependent on just the lone chief inspector. Though, as per office rules, any inspector can issue the fitness certificate for a boiler for six months, but a fitness certificate for one year needs to be signed by the chief inspector. We also feel the need of more chief inspectors in this regard. 

Understandably, boiler inspection expertise is not difficult to achieve: certified diploma engineers in the related field should be able to tackle the inspecting jobs provided they’re given the appropriate training. 

However, the million dollar question is - who to hold accountable for these accidents? We don’t expect factory owners to shoulder all responsibilities. For every disaster in one way or another, the boiler operator and the inspector are also some way involved. So, we call for thorough police investigation for all explosions in order to uncover the actual reasons behind the disasters, including the recent one. If we repeatedly fail to address these disasters, relevant people’s negligence must be to blame.

 

 

Unfit industrial boilers

It is for more than a decade that these avoidable disasters of boiler explosion have been occurring

Rather shockingly, some 2500 active boilers used in the industrial sector of the country are running without any mandatory fitness certificate. The alarming revealation came in the wake of a massive explosion of a defective boiler killing at least 13 while injuring some 50 more at a garment factory recently. More to it, a total of 33 people had died from boiler explosions in the last six months. In April alone, 20 people were killed in a boiler explosion at a rice mill in Dinajpur. However, our expectation is that the last explosion at Multifab Fashion Limited should be the last one since all such explosions were admittedly avoidable. A statement issued by the concerned authorities for overseeing and inspecting industrially used boilers said that it was impossible for only eight inspectors to inspect boilers and issue fitness certificates to them every year. But this cannot logically be an acceptable excuse. Not that the problem is a new one; in fact, it is for more than a decade that these avoidable industrial disasters of boiler explosion have been occurring. Nevertheless, the solution is not that complex as it seems from the evident limitations in our existing capabilities. Firstly, the number of inspectors should be increased. Secondly, all factories using boilers should have their respective boiler officers and put regular inspection of boilers under the mandatory compliance list, and thirdly, the course of action for issuing fitness certificates should be simplified and quickened. Issuing of certificates should not be solely dependent on just the lone chief inspector. Though, as per office rules, any inspector can issue the fitness certificate for a boiler for six months, but a fitness certificate for one year needs to be signed by the chief inspector. We also feel the need of more chief inspectors in this regard. Understandably, boiler inspection expertise is not difficult to achieve: certified diploma engineers in the related field should be able to tackle the inspecting jobs provided theyre given the appropriate training. However, the million dollar question is - who to hold accountable for these accidents? We dont expect factory owners to shoulder all responsibilities. For every disaster in one way or another, the boiler operator and the inspector are also some way involved. So, we call for thorough police investigation for all explosions in order to uncover the actual reasons behind the disasters, including the recent one. If we repeatedly fail to address these disasters, relevant peoples negligence must be to blame.