Ammonia tragedy a result of ignoring proper security methods: CEA

25 April 2018 01:02 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 4 Bookmark

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The recent tragedy in Crepe Rubber Manufacturing Factory at Horana where five people died due to an ammonia gas exposure on April 19, had been directly caused due to the lack of attention to the factory's safety programme, Director General of the Central Environment Authority (CEA) Hemantha Jayasinghe said.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said the factory which was operated utilizing chemical substances had not observed a due procedure to maintain a special care of the employees during the long term maintenance in the industrial activities.

“Environmental experts in the Environmental Protection Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy have taken instant steps to conduct a field inspection at the rubber factory,” Mr. Jayasinghe said.

“A valid Environmental Protection License had been issued to maintain the activities of the Institute and it is a legally valid license from November 11, 2017 to November 10, 2018. It provides advice and conditions as how to maintain such a factory with safety methods. However, the factory had not maintained it with safety methods,” D.G Jayasinghe said.

He said the CEA suspended the functions and operations of the Rubber Factory and added it looked forward to shut down the factory after considering the report of the investigations and the inspections of the CEA. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

Comments - 4

Devaka J Wednesday, 25 April 2018 01:34 PM

It's futile to issue press releases after the horse is bolted ! Take action and foresee imminent dangers of all factories in advance. Adherence to the statutory obligations such as Factory ordinance must be thoroughly scrutinised. No duty of care at all. So deplorable performance.

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Nuwan Wednesday, 25 April 2018 02:06 PM

I know a few places where CEA impose strict conditions, where the owners ignore those due to additional costs. Wastewater processing is a good example where either no processing or sub-standard processing occurs to spare expenses for chemicals used. This is very common.

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ravin Thursday, 26 April 2018 05:34 AM

It is not too late to close the stable gates. Officials must ignore undue pressure from politicians and strictly adhere to environmental standards. For example in recent past we see a politician advising coast conservation expatise how to conserve coast. What politician doesn't understand is coast erosion occurs it effects whole nation.

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SAM Thursday, 26 April 2018 09:57 AM

If CEA had checked and approved its licence / renewal, Its time to check and see up to what extent and who had approved to keep it running till the damage is caused even while complaints had been made?

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