In yet another industrial accident, a person was killed in Bhushan Steel limited’s (BSl) Meramundali plant in Dhenkanal district on Monday. Sources said one Chhabi Pradhan fell into the plant’s coal washery.
He was declared brought dead by doctors at private nursing home in Angul. Tension ran high in the area as the death news of Pradhan spread. Workers of the factory blocked the National Highway near the plant site protesting against frequent occurring of fatal accidents in the plant. Some agitating labourers too sat on a dharna in front of the main gate of the plant and demanded adequate compensation to the family of the deceased. Notably, a fire accident in the plant had claimed five lives in November last. Fifteen workers were also injured. Similarly, four labourers were killed and three others injured due to lPG gas cylinder explosion on January 6, 2013. According to reports, the State Directorate of Factories and Boilers has registered 69 cases against BSl management in the local SDJM court for violation of safety norms under Orissa Factories Rules, 1950, and the Factories Act, 1948.