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Mangalore: Ammonia leak at fish factory leaves one dead

  •   Wed, Feb 13 2013 11:39:37 PM

Mangalore: Ammonia leak at fish factory leaves one dead

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Feb 13: One worker died and two others were taken ill following a gas leak at Indo Fisheries factory, Harekala at Elyarpadavu near Konaje here on Wednesday February 13.

The incident occured at around 9.30 pm.


Riyaz

The deceased has been identified as Riyaz (22) from Kumble in Kasargod.








 

Two other workers identified as Sanket (23) from Kumble and Haneef (23) from Beeri, Kotekar, were taken seriously ill due to inhalation of the gas fumes.

It is said that ammonia gas leaked in the factory's freezer. Machine operators Riyaz, Sanket and Haneef went to check the leak when they were caught in the fumes.

They were immediately shifted to a hospital in Deralakatte, where Riyaz breathed his last. Sanket and Haneef are said to be critical.

Fire tenders from Pandeshwar were rushed to the spot.

Nearly 300 workers were in the factory at the time of the incident. This is the first such case reported in the factory in the last 15 years.
  

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Comment on this article

  • J.Salian, Mangalore

    Thu, Feb 14 2013

    Owners & Manger of this facility is "responsible" & "accountable" for every workers safety. It should be made as Moral & legal responsibility of the owner to look after their worker. our laws needs to be amended where every major incident, accident & fatality must be investigated and root cause analysis to be carried out passed on to through the industry to avoid reoccurrence. At the same time owner & managers should be tried in Court for their negligence.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • jamil ahmed, udupi/qatar

    Thu, Feb 14 2013

    Toxic effects of ammonia inhalation should be educated to employees working in such an environment. They should be trained by approved training institutions. This is a lessons learnt from such an incident causing one fatality currently. However one should note that, accidents happen once and it will be fatal. We should ensure that this will repeat in future.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • William Rodrigues, Milagres, Mangalore

    Thu, Feb 14 2013

    Pity that such factories do not have any safety measures. They should have masks ready for the maintanance team at least. Then this accident could have been avoided easily. Is their a civil department for checking these precautions are taken care in all the factories.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kumar Fernandes, Mudarangadi/Dubai

    Thu, Feb 14 2013

    Dear jacobnelson, BEJAI, Ammonia(NH3) is used as refrigeration gas instead of R12/R22/R134a ete. As NH3 is cheaper than above 3 type gases and cooling effect is approx 7.5times more than above 3 gases. Do not ask again why refrigeration required in fish factory. For cold storage and to make Ice blocks.

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohammed Asif, Jubail

    Thu, Feb 14 2013

    Im really agree with the comments from john fernandees and kumar dsilva. Large amount of ammonia indeed a toxic. So authorities has to be conduct pre inspection of preventive measures prior to give permission to such type of factory specially near to residential area. And all the employees who is working with such type of hazardous gases need to be trained specially the things they need to be done in case of emergency. District authorities need to pay attention in this regard otherwise end up with disaster

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • jacobnelson, BEJAI

    Thu, Feb 14 2013

    Why ammonia used in Fish-Factory?

    DisAgree [7] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kumar Fernandes, Mudarangadi/Dubai

    Thu, Feb 14 2013

    It is tragic incident. I am sorry to hear the same.
    Leakages in Ammonia plant is not uncommon. But with proper monitoring, alarm systems and protective measures, the hazard can be prevented. In case of leakage and concentration within limits 15 to 28 % by volume in air, there is possibility of the ammonia catch fire and explode.


    I think, in the case of the Ice Plant, the concentration ammonia in air could have been within the explosive limits while workmen went to attend the leak.

    It is necessary to keep the concentration of ammonia in the premises very low in case of leakage i.e. less than the explosion concentration.

    For this reason, the plant shall have forced normal ventilation and emergency ventilation to keep the ammonia concentration very low. Also automatic water spray system for ammonia storage.
    Whether all above said protective system is installed? Oxygen mask is readily available for the operator/technician?. District administration shall strictly verify the safety norms and shall make the factory owner to implement.

    DisAgree Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • John D'silva, Mangalore

    Thu, Feb 14 2013

    Ammonia widely used in large scale refrigeration especially in fisheries and ice plants. It is cheaper comparing to new refrigerants of chlorofluorocarbon family. It is highly toxic with pungent smell and lighter than air also an efficient refrigerant. Maintaining ammonia refrigeration plant requires lot of safety measures. As in any mechanical refrigeration gas is subjected to compression where condensing pressure will be very high hence there are risks of gas leak if system is not maintained properly. Mechanical shaft seals of the compressors are tend to leak at any time so the technicians working over there must have enough guidance how to handle such situations. Permitting ammonia refrigeration plants near residential area is very risky because huge amount of ammonia as refrigerant is a potential hazard. Refrigeration plants shall have adequate ventilation with gas level monitors. Hope government will take strict action in this regard. I am deeply hurt by the poor safety standards in our industries. Pray for the victims.

    DisAgree Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • lukas, malpe

    Thu, Feb 14 2013

    somany ICE PLANT in fisheries area nearby residental area knowing the dangerous of Amonium leakage district admistration giving permision for the such plant taking bribes from the owner and even they don't have any precaustionery method to prevent such death.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL.K.PERINJE, PERINJE-YANBU/KSA

    Thu, Feb 14 2013

    Very sad indeed may soul rest in peace.How Ammonia leaked is a mistry.Any sabotage?Police has to bring it to the light.@ this point of time it is hypothetical to speculate.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Thu, Feb 14 2013

    Sad indeed. Safety should never be compromised

    DisAgree Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse


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