Nagpur: The Maharashtra govt on Monday ordered a comprehensive probe into all accidents at explosives manufacturing units in Nagpur district that claimed 35 lives in 36 months. This comes 24 hours after a blast ripped through the detonator unit of SBL Energy Ltd at Raulgaon village in Katol tehsil, killing 19 and critically injuring over 20 workers.State revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Monday that criminal cases may be filed not only against companies, but also against officials from regulatory bodies, including Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), the state’s Department of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), and the labour commissioner’s office, if lapses were found. The inquiry report will be submitted to the Union minister for commerce and industry.CM Devendra Fadnavis said the state would review safety protocols governing explosive manufacturing units.The Union commerce and industry ministry is expected to introduce changes in the law, including a standard operating procedure (SOP) to strengthen safety in explosives manufacturing. A district-wide safety audit of all explosives units — regardless of size — will also be conducted, said Bawankule, adding the probe will be carried out by the divisional commissioner’s office.Union minister Piyush Goyal was also apprised of the matter as PESO comes under his ministry. Goyal took serious note of the accident and sought a comprehensive report of all earlier accidents, Bawankule said.“It’s a case of manslaughter, and even agencies responsible for safety should not be spared. It would be seen whether PESO conducted a safety audit in the unit. If so, whether the company followed directions and whether PESO ensured the compliance. For example it would also be seen if 1,200 workers were cramped in a section, where 750 people are allowed.”In addition to safety audits, district collector and superintendent of police will verify whether workers were assigned tasks according to declared skill levels. Referring to the blast at SBL Energy, Bawankule said several unskilled workers were reportedly employed at the facility.
