NPCIL pays compensation of Rs. 50,000 to six workers

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), as directed by the National Human Rights Commission, paid Rs. 50,000 each as relief to six workers, who suffered burn injuries after hot water spilt on them during work at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) on May 13, 2014.

After operations in KKNPP’s first reactor was stopped for mandatory tests before increasing the generation to 1,000 MWe, the maximum capacity, routine maintenance work was going on even as the plant was not functioning. When a valve in the turbine building was being checked by contract workers Paulraj, Rajan and Senthilkumar in the presence of KKNPP employees Rajesh, Vinu and Mahesh, hot water stagnating in the valve chamber, which would normally be in the temperature of 65 to 70 degree Celsius, spilt on them suddenly from the valve as it was opened.

As all the six sustained burns, they were given first-aid on the spot before being taken to KKNPP’s hospital at Anu Vijay Township (the residential complex for KKNPP employees at nearby Chettikulam) for further treatment. They were then shifted to a private hospital at Nagercoil.

“This is an ‘expected and listed event’ to caution the workers usually participating in the maintenance work of this nature. Since they had not taken mandatory precautionary measures while opening the valve, they sustained burns,” the KKNPP sources then clarified.

However, the NHRC, taking serious note of the incident as the news appeared in the newspapers, issued notices to the Chairman and Managing Director of NPCIL and the District Collector, who replied that the victims were provided free of cost treatment and were paid wages for the period of their absence due to the incident. The period of the absence from duty in the case of NPCIL employees was also regularized.

While expressing satisfaction over the steps taken by the KKNPP and NPCIL with regard to medical care and rehabilitation of the victims, the NHRC, citing the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board’s report that admitted to the deficiencies in safety standards, directed the NPCIL to compensate the victims.

“Owing to negligence on the part of KKNPP and NPCIL, six workers of the project suffered burn injuries ranging from 60 to 70 per cent resulting in physical pain, mental agony and trauma to them and their families. This cannot be adequately compensated by bearing the cost of treatment or paying wages for the period of absence from duty. There was clear violation of the human rights of the injured employees and they should be adequately compensated for it,” the NHRC had observed.

Subsequently, the NPCIL has paid Rs. 50,000 each to all six victims.