A worker died at Century Rayon Limited factory in Shahad, near Kalyan, on Thursday night after inhaling toxic gas that leaked from one of its pipelines. Eleven other employees were rushed to hospital and of them is said to be critical.
Ulhasnagar police said Sanjay Sharma (32) collapsed at 9.15 p.m. after a mixture of sulphate, phosphate and other gases gushed out of a pipeline that was under maintenance. Police sub-inspector Santosh Maske, the investigating officer, said, “The workers were rushed to Century Hospital and Sharma was declared dead before admission.” The workers were shifted to Fortis Hospital in Kalyan at around 12.30 a.m.
Round-the-clock care
Dr. Swati Suryavanshi, medical superintendent at Fortis, said, “At 1:15 a.m., we admitted six workers who were brought in an ambulance. Another ambulance at 1.45 a.m. brought in five more patients. The lungs of the workers were severely affected, but they are now out of danger. One worker is still critical and is being treated at the Intensive Care Unit. Ten workers are likely to be discharged by Saturday.”
In a statement, Fortis Hospital said, “All patients are being monitored round the clock under the care of a multi-disciplinary team comprising chief intensivist Dr. Sandeep Patil, general physician Dr. Sumit Shrivastav, and an ophthalmologist.
Century Rayon officials said its employees were working on regular maintenance of a pipeline from 8 a.m. on Thursday. Brigadier Manohar Thomas, general manager, Century Rayon Limited, said, “Sharma died after he got too close to the pipe’s inlet and inhaled the gas. No other fatalities have been reported.”
Anil Vyas, public relations officer, Century Rayon Limited, said, “It wasn’t a gas leak. It was an accident that took place because Sharma, who was cleaning the pipeline, got too close to the pipe’s inlet. We mourn his death.”
Mr. Vyas said the accident took place minutes before the maintenance work was scheduled to end at 10.45 p.m. He said, “The pipe was located near the chemical tank. The gases were being treated in the pipeline.”
Sharma is survived by his wife Neerja Sharma, a three-year old daughter and a six-year old son. He was the sole breadwinner of his family. Fellow workers said that Sharma had been working on contract basis and was not a permanent employee.
Compensation for kin
Sharma’s body was claimed by his wife and cremated at Shantinagar crematorium on Friday afternoon.
Mr. Vyas said, “A compensation of ₹5 lakh will be given to his family. His wife will be offered a job and his children will be given free education till Class X.”
Constable Rajendra Chauhan of Ulhasnagar police station said, “The post-mortem report said that the cause of death was inflammation and severe damage to lungs.” Senior Police Inspector Dattatray Palve said, “We have registered an Accidental Death Report and are conducting further inquiries.”
