Bokaro Steel plant experienced nitrogen gas leak from a transformer at the hot strip mill on Monday evening. As an effect, at least 3 people, including deputy general manager fainted after getting in contact with the leakage.
New transformers have nitrogen gas filled inside them which is taken out before the installation and replaced with oil. Nitrogen can cause death as it replaces the oxygen in the lungs.
According to Bokaro Steel Plant chief communication officer (CCO) Manikant Dhan, the incident occurred when one of their senior officials from the distribution network department and two workers were inspecting a new transformer adjacent to the hot strip mill department, the wing where steel sheets are made.
“Since the inquiry committee report is pending, we are unable to ascertain the cause leading to the exposure to this gas,” Dhan said. “DGM V. Narayan and the two other employees were admitted to Bokaro General Hospital (some 150km from Ranchi), where they are stable. They will be released soon after the observation period is over in the hospital.”
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On the cause front, “A probe is underway and we are waiting for the inquiry committee report to know how this happened”, Dhan said.
Blaming BSL management for negligence General Secretary of Krantikari Ispat Majdoor Sangh, Rajender Singh said, the incident occurred as safety standards were not taken care inside the plant. “A major incident was averted as it was nitrogen gas,” he said.
“We have constituted a five members team to investigate the reason behind the incident,” added the COC.
As per an eyewitness, the electric transformer arrived from Jhansi. While installing the transformer, the nitrogen gas filled by the company in it was not emptied. “This gas should have been fired with safety provisions,” said the eyewitness.
Dhan said that negligence during the installation of the transformer in the hot strip mill could be a reason behind the gas leak.
The condition of all 3, affected from the gas is stable now and they are under observation at BGH, said MK Dhan Chief of Communication BSL.
