Date: April 29, 2018
Location: Madhya Pradesh (India)
Address: SH 19, Gondiwadhona, Madhya Pradesh, India 480108
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Unknown
Industry: Polymer Production (Chemical Manufacture)
Equipment: Fluid Bed Dryer
Company: Bhansali Engineering Polymers Limited
Previous Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: One Death, One Injury
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Bhansali Engineering Polymers Limited (BEPL) was initially Bhansali Steel Ltd, changing its name in 1986. The company was set up by Mr. B. M. Bhansali, a first generation entrepreneur. It was the first company in India to start manufacturing quality ABS resins (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resins) using foreign technology. The plant at Satnoor, Madhya Pradesh was the company’s first and was set up in technical collaboration with Sumitomo Chemical Engineering Co. Limited / Sumitomo Nagatuck Limited, Japan. The plant began production on January 1, 1990.
BEPL is a vertically integrated petrochemical company and one of the two leading petrochemical companies in India involved in the manufacturing of ABS & SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile resin). The ABS it manufactures is used as a raw material by companies dealing in automobiles, home appliances, telecommunications, luggage, bus body and various other applications.
BEPL, intending to expand its share of the ABS Market, acquired two units of competitors Polychem and Rajasthan Polymers and Resins Ltd (RPRL) in 1999 & 2003 respectively. The company then consolidated its entire ABS production activities at Satnoor, Madhya Pradesh.
The company claims to have a strong on-site emergency management system. There is regular safety & health training and workers are trained and motivated to use the right kind of PPE for every activity. Regular safety audits are carried out.
Description of Fluid Bed Dryer Fire
On April 30, 2018, Equity Bulls reported that a fire had broken out on April 29 at Bhansali Engineering Polymers Ltd’s chemical plant in Madhya Pradesh, India. One worker was killed in the incident and another suffered severe burns. The exact cause of the fire was unknown.
The fire started at 7:30 pm and was declared fully extinguished by 9:00 pm. It was confined to the Flocculation and Drying (F&D) Section. Only the fluid bed dryer equipment in the section was affected; the flocculation, flash dryer and resin bins were not involved. Although not yet confirmed, it’s expected that the baghouse at the fluid bed dryer will require repairs, including a change of bags. Repairs were expected to take about a week.
Both the worker who died and the one who suffered burns were general labourers. The injured man is receiving expert medical treatment at a private hospital in Nagpur. The family of the deceased have already reached a compensation settlement with the company.
The Hitavada reported that dozens of labourers were working at the factory. Officers and the majority of labourers managed to escape. The incident caused public unrest and a large number of people from adjoining villages entered the factory and vandalized furniture and assets.
It was reported that police have sent letters to the relevant industrial safety officers, the fire brigade, the Labour Commissioner and other departments for further investigation. On the basis of a preliminary report, police have registered a case under section 304 (A) of the Indian Penal Code.
The Factory Inspector has already visited the plant and the insurance surveyor was expected to arrive on May 1, 2018.
Sources:
Equity Bulls
The Hitavada
