'70% small, medium scale units flout norms'

Findings of a study by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell and the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health show that around 70 per cent of the small- and medium-scale units in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Hinjewadi do not comply even to basic health and safety norms. In the last 20 months, around 80 offences have been registered against such units for non-compliance.

Several accidents have been reported in the past from the industrial areas in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Hinjewadi. Shrikrushna Joshi, general manager with the Lokmanya Hospital said, "Every year, we get about 250 cases of industrial accidents. Most of them are injuries to the hands. There are a lot of burn injuries, chemical trauma or injuries to the eyes. Most of these cases are from the small- and medium-scale industrial units. These accidents take place due to lack of training and safety measures. Complications arise when there are delays in treatment and response."

Kiran Gawade, chief of the PCMC fire brigade, said, "Of late, many of the larger industrial units have started adhering to safety and health norms. More lapses are observed in small- and medium-scale industries."

Omprakash Bahiwal of the PCMC's disaster management cell said there was scope for improvement in safety standards.

N N Lolap, joint director of industrial safety and health for Bhosari, Pimpri, Chinchwad and Hinjewadi, says, "Most of the problems arise due to lack of knowledge. Many people who were traders earlier have now started their own manufacturing units. I can't say how many do not adhere to the norms but there is always scope for improvement. We have registered about 80 cases (41 in 2011 and 39 in 2012 till date) against units Pimpri-Chinchwad and Hinjewadi. Most of these units are small- and medium-scale."

The owner of a small manufacturing unit in Bhosari said, "During inspections, authorities only check for fire and chemical safety. What about hazards due to lack of maintenance? We have witnessed heavy objects falling and causing grievous injuries to workers. Many large units have well established procedures — right from disaster management to compensation for injuries or death. There is a lack of such systems in small- and medium-scale units. A change in the attitude of unit owners is required."

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