Day After Burst, Operation Muck Kicks Off at SIDCO
By J Shanmugha Sundaram
Published: 02nd February 2015 06:09 AM
Last Updated: 02nd February 2015 06:09 AM
VELLORE:A day after the tragic accident in SIDCO Industrial Estate (Phase-I) near Ranipet claimed the lives of 10 tannery workers of R K Leather Factory, the process of removing the toxic sludge that gushed out from its Secured Landfill Facility (SLF) and got deposited in the open began under the supervision of a team of officials from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) in Chennai and technicians from the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP).
A team of 43 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Arakkonam has also been roped in to attend to any emergency, as the toxic gases emanating from the slurry can cause several health hazards for those involved in the removal of the slurry.
Ahead of beginning the work, officials from TNPCB, NDRF and CLRI along with the technicians from the CETP discussed and devised an emergency action plan to safely remove the slurry.
“The slurry will be mechanically removed using earthmovers and tractors. The removed sludge will be disposed of into four empty sludge drying beds, which are available inside the CETP,” said one of the four Joint Chief Executive Engineers of TNPCB, who is supervising the task. It would take two days to remove the slurry, he added.
After the four sludge drying beds are filled, the remaining slurry will be moved and deposited in an earthen pit measuring 1.5 to 2 ft depth dug inside the CETP. The pit will be lined with High-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets to avoid leaching, added the official.
“We are carrying 24 breathing apparatuses with us, as the task involves removal of toxic gas. We have instructed the workforce to work on a rotational basis, where one worker doesn’t have to work for more than 30 minutes. This will ensure their safety and health. This will also reduce the risk factor involved in the work,” said a team member of the NDRF. Deputy Director of CLRI P Shanmugam said that a lemon solution is sprayed over the slurry, to suppress the toxic content, before removing it.
The work got obstructed for a while after a lorry meant for carrying the slurry slipped into a slurry-filled pit. However, the lorry driver escaped without injury. An earth mover was then used to pull the vehicle out.
Revenue Divisional Officer of Ranipet M Priyadharshini and a team of revenue officials visited the spot and took stock of the situation.
The tragic incident occurred between 12.10 am to 1 am on Saturday, burying nine workers from West Bengal and one from Melvalam village alive. Around 600 cubic metres of slurry, containing toxic elements such as Ammonium, Chromium and Hydrogen sulphide, gushed out from the second SLF of Ranipet SIDCO Finished Leather Effluent Treatment Company Ltd after a portion of its 15 feet wall collapsed.
Describing the incident as a clear case of ‘human error’ and ‘collective failure’ of the government, an official said that the workers are not provided accommodation outside the company’s premises. Hundreds of youngsters from North India live within the company premises.
An official engaged in rescue operations said, “Workers are also not educated about the health hazards and safety measures. Workers can even get asphyxiated while at work. Toxic gases can kill them within minutes,” he added.
They are not equipped with the mandatory safety gear — gum boots, hand gloves, goggles, helmets and masks with gas filter — said the official pointing to a group of workers there.
SIDCO Facility Not a Permitted Structure, Says PCB
By J Shanmugha Sundaram
Published: 01st February 2015 06:12 AM
Last Updated: 01st February 2015 06:12
VELLORE: The Secured Landfill Facility (SLF), which caved in and claimed 10 lives, was constructed illegally by the Ranipet, Small Industried Development Corporation (SIDCO) Finished Leather Effluent Treatment Company Limited to stock untreated effluents from its 86 member tanneries and leather factories. A portion of its wall had weakened and caved in the early hours of Saturday.
Officials of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) said the members had not sought permission to construct the SLF. “They applied for permission after constructing the facility, but we did not give the nod for utilisation as it violated norms. We officially communicated to them, three months ago, that the SLF should not be used,” Kamaraj, Executive Engineer of PCB, Vellore told Express.
The 1,000 cubic metre capacity SLF, constructed six months ago adjoining the R K Leather Factory, had been illegally used to stock the liquid sludge of the tanneries and leather factories affiliated to Ranipet SIDCO Finished Leather Effluent Treatment Company Limited. Originally, the SLF was constructed to store solid effluents but, liquid sludge was collected, said an expert.
According to sources when the accident occurred, there was around 600 cubic metre of sludge generated by the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) that was stocked in the SLF. When the wall caved in, the sludge flooded the RK Leather factory and buried ten of their workers and seeped into the road. Nearly 800 square metres of land was filled with more than 2 feet sludge in the vicinity.
According to Kamaraj, the management had indulged in serious offences by stocking the untreated sludge. The facility was meant to stock the sludge after it was treated and converted into solid form. TANGEDCO would be asked to suspend electricity supply to all the 86 tanneries and also issue closure order, said the Executive Engineer.
‘Flouting norms result in deaths’
Vellore: Non-adherence to procedures in cleaning treated and untreated effluent tanks have frequently resulted in the death of workers. TNPCB said the tanneries were told, not to engage workers but use machines in the cleaning of tanks. However, the industries continue to engage workers to clean the effluents tanks and SLF.
Conduct probe in leather units
Chennai: On the opening day of its three-day State Council meet here on Saturday, CPM demanded inspection of leather factories in SIPCOT complexes I,II and III in Ranipet and in the Special Economic Zones. Referring to the death of 10 workers at Ranipet, the CPM State Council urged the State to take action against the factory.
10 workers
VELLORE: Ten people, including nine workers from West Bengal, were on Saturday killed after the wall of a waste recycling tank of Ranipet SIDCO Finished Leather Effluent Treatment Company Private Limited in SIDCO (State Industries Development Corporation)-Phase I near Ranipet exploded. The sludge from the secured landfill facility (SLF) flooded the nearby R K Leather factory and the asbestos-covered workers’ accommodation in the wee hours. It is believed that excess waste dumping caused the blast.
The deceased were identified as — Abeer Khan (50), his sons Ali Askar (25) and Ali Akbar (23), N Shahjahan (27), S Kuthum (18), I Pyaar Khan (25), Sahoor Khan (25), Aesiam (23) and his brother Akram Khan (25) — all from West Bengal and watchman Sampath (45) of Kannamangalam, Vellore.
Worker Ameer Khan (21) of West Bengal and clerk K Ravi (50) of Velam in Vellore saved themselves by running upstairs after seeing the sludge rushing in.
The SLF was being used to stock liquid effluent of 86 tanneries and leather factories. Two tanks, each with 1,000 cubic metres capacity, were used for the purpose, though only one had permission to hold the effluent stock. The one that exploded did not have the requisite permission.
On information, Fire and Rescue Service personnel rushed to the spot. After much struggle, they recovered the bodies and sent them to the Government Vellore Medical College and Hospital for autopsy. Later, nine bodies were sent to Chennai from where they will be sent to their hometowns in West Bengal by train. In the evening, Collector R Nandagopal visited the spot. State Rural Industries and Labour Minister P Mohan and Minister for School Education K C Veeramani also visited the spot and took stock of the situation.
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