Industrial Safety

[GWR]

Several injured in gas explosion during gas safety exercise

Samut Prakan - Several people and fire fighters were injured when a gas tank really exploded Wednesday during an exercise on safety on gas leakage.

The accident at the gas safety exercise happened at 11:30 am near the Praeksa Fire Station on Praeksa Road.

Fire fighters were demonstrating to volunteers how to deal with the situation if gas leakage occurred when the explosion occurred.

The injured were rushed to the provincial hospital and other hospitals nearby.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/brea...ewsid=30040341

[GWR]

.....

In related news, a worker at a paper factory in Muang Samut Sakhon had his head crushed by a machine yesterday morning.

Police rushed to ASA Box Board Container Co's factory at 8am to find the body of Nikhom Khamdee, 31, with his head stuck in a paper-pressing machine.

Witnesses said Nikhom was the chief technician whose night shift was to have ended at 8am. However, when the machine stopped working he put his head inside to see what was wrong. It was suspected that he did not turn the machine off properly when it got stuck and was killed when it suddenly started working again.

Human resources manager Surachai Kemaworasawt said the firm would assist Nikhom's family as his death was due to a work-related accident.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007...l_30048232.php

The initial part of the article - from which the above extract was taken - looks at the parlous state of industrial safety in Thailand:

Govt trying to reduce deaths
Published on September 8, 2007
Department chief warns business owners they must begin observing rules, on pain of prosecution


The Labour Protection and Welfare Department is trying to reduce work-related deaths and injuries by 10 per cent from the more than 200,00 cases recorded last year, department chief Padungsak Thephasdin na Ayutthaya said yesterday.

Thailand's deaths and injuries due to occupational hazards are rather high, Padungsak said, citing figures from the Social Security Office's Workmen's Compensation Fund.

The fund recorded a total of 204,257 workplace related mishaps last year in which 808 workers were killed, 21 were maimed, 3,413 lost an organ and 200,015 had to take a period of sick leave), he said.

Padungsak urged business owners to comply with work-safety laws or they would face punishment of up to one year in jail and/or a fine of Bt200,000.

The Labour Protection and Welfare Department has acted on 30 cases of breach of work safety laws in the first nine months of the fiscal year 2007 (October 2006 to June 2007), he said.

Padungsak said Bangkok had 55,733 cases last year, while the five surrounding provinces (Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom) together had 71,945.

Bangkok had the highest fatalities with 201 deaths last year, followed by Chon Buri (26), Samut Prakan (56), Pathum Thani (33), and Nakhon Pathom with 32, he said.

Most of the victims of workplace mishaps were in the 25-29 age group, followed by those in the 20-24 age group, he said.

Padungsak said businesses with between 200 and 499 workers reported the most work-related mishaps.

Vehicle mishaps accounted for 45 per cent of all fatal cases, followed by falls from high places and electrocution.

Machinery operators were most at risk of losing an organ, mostly fingers and eyes.

Work involving metal products - such as assembling electrical appliances, making metal pipes and manufacture of clock parts - were considered the most dangerous trades, with 38,255 accidents and 45 deaths.

Ranked second was the trading sector - shopping malls and places that sell items such as electrical appliances, motorcycles or construction tools - with a total of 22,247 cases and 149 deaths.

Ranked third were construction businesses, machine installation and well-digging services, with a total of 20,201 workers affected and 132 deaths.

[GWR]

Leaking gas at PTT factory injures over 50 workers

Moments ago, reports surfaced that a plastic products factory under PTT Phenol Company Limited, located in Rayong province experienced gas leakages. The gas caused many workers to lose consciousness. 51 workers have had to be sent for medical treatment to injuries at a local hospital.

Provincial police commander, Police Major General Pumira Wattanapranee (ภูมิรา วัฒนปราณี) revealed that authorities have confirmed the leak and have setup a perimeter around the area. Experts have been dispatched to decipher the originating leak.

Once the event is resolved, company executives stated they would hold an official press conference on the matter.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglis...d=255106100024

Gas leak at a Rayong factory injures 52
By The Nation

A lethal gas leak at a factory in Rayong province injured more than 50 workers and led to evacuation of some 500 students and teachers of a school nearby.

At least 52 workers of the PTT Phenol Co, Ltd in Hemmarat Industrial Estate in the province's Muang district suffered from various illness, include vomiting, sudden headache and blurry vision. Ten workers were in serious condition, hospital staff said.

The students and teachers of Mabchaloot school were evacuated to office of Mabtaphut municipality. They were all safe.

At first, officials were unclear what kind of gas had leaked.

Sumetha Wichienphet, an emergency rescue operation chief of Pollution Control Department said that the gas that leaked is benzene that can cause cancer but its danger is less than phenol.

Earlier Sumetha said it was still unclear which gas had leaked.

"We have to have rescue team to go into the factory to find out which kind of gas had leaked. If it is phenol, it will be dangerous because it is poisonous," he said.

Officials from the department will also inspect the nearby areas including water sources to examine whether they were contaminated by the gas or not, he said.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008...l_30075180.php

[Wisarut]

Originally Posted by GWR

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglis...d=255106100024

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008...l_30075180.php

Cumene Gas Leaking from Phenol Factory (owned by PTT) at Huay Pong, Rayong - 2 Dead 42 Seriously Injurred ... from 112 injurred workers



http://www.manager.co.th/Local/ViewN...=9510000067971

[GWR]

Originally Posted by Wisarut

Cumene Gas Leaking from Phenol Factory (owned by PTT) at Huay Pong, Rayong - 2 Dead 42 Seriously Injurred ... from 112 injurred workers
http://www.manager.co.th/Local/ViewN...=9510000067971

What's Cumene?

Cumene is the common name for isopropylbenzene, an organic compound that is an aromatic hydrocarbon. It is a constituent of crude oil and refined fuels. It is a flammable colorless liquid that has a boiling point of 152 °C. Nearly all the cumene that is produced as a pure compound on an industrial scale is converted to cumene hydroperoxide, which is an intermediate in the synthesis of other industrially important chemicals such as phenol and acetone.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumene

In light of Khun Wisaruth's report above, the following 'Mai Pen Rai' statement looks more than a little bit ill-judged:

Gas leak won't harm community: Disease Control Department

BANGKOK, June 10 – Thailand's Department of Disease Control said the Tuesday morning gas leak from a plant in the eastern province of Rayong won't affect the communities nearby the factory, but some 20 persons who inhaled the gas remain hospitalized under observation.

Disease Control Department director-general Dr. Thawat Suntrajarn said the gas leaking from the PTT Phenol Company Limited on Tuesday morning is a Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) used in the plastics industry.

Inhaling an amount of the gas can cause a collapsing trachea or acute renal failure, he said.

According to the latest report, about 70 people who inhaled the gas were sent to Rayong hospital. Out of them, 20 were admitted as patients under medical supervision and the rest were under 24-hour observation. Three people sent to Banchang hospital are in stable condition.

The factory turned off the leaking valve and the gas was expected to evaporate and cause no harm to local residents nearby, said Dr. Thawat.

The PTT Phenol Company Limited said the situation was under control after the leakage of cumene from the plant this morning. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The plant is under construction and the gas leakage occurred during a test of the system. The plant, located in the Hemaraj Industrial Zone plans to start operation late this year. (TNA)-E004

General News : Last Update : 15:29:53 10 June 2008 (GMT+7:00)

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4694

[GWR]

Originally Posted by GWR

What's Cumene?
In light of Khun Wisaruth's report above, the following 'Mai Pen Rai' statement looks more than a little bit ill-judged:
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4694

Khun Wisaruth? Two dead right? Two swept under the carpet perhaps!? To join the other 112 who may have permanently scarred lungs. The amount of concern about the victims by this report is breathtaking. Doubtless the company have their heads even more deeply embedded up their 'mai pen rai' ........... than the Nation Business News.

BRIEFS
PTT Phenol contains gas leak at Rayong plant
Published on June 11, 2008

PTT Phenol has contained the gas leak at its chemical plant in Rayong.

Those injured in the incident have returned home, and no damage was incurred to the plant, which is still under construction.

The company said the leak of cumene gas, occurring during a test run of machinery, caused 112 people to become ill. - The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008...s_30075233.php

[GWR]

Originally Posted by GWR

Khun Wisaruth? Two dead right? Two swept under the carpet perhaps!? To join the other 112 who may have permanently scarred lungs. The amount of concern about the victims by this report is breathtaking. Doubtless the company have their heads even more deeply embedded up their 'mai pen rai' ........... than the Nation Business News.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008...s_30075233.php

MAP TA PHUT
Come clean over toxic agents, say residents
By Pennapa Hongthong
The Nation
Published on June 12, 2008

Demand follows gas leak that hit 120 at PTT plant

Map Ta Phut residents yesterday demanded the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) disclose the names and details of all toxic agents used and produced in industrial estates in the area.

Their call came after an accident on Tuesday when toxic gas leaked from a partly built PTT Phenol factory and badly affected 120 workers.

"It's time for transparency. We have to know what kind of toxic agents are used around our neighbourhoods and how they can affect our health and community," said Suthi Atchasai, a coordinator of the Eastern People Network, which covers Rayong.

The leakage of the gas cumene, an organic compound that is a central nervous system depressant, on Tuesday was the third accident in Map Ta Phut since last December.

Suthi said residents know nothing about chemicals used in the industrial estate until an accident occurs.

Suthi was supported by a social scientist from Chulalongkorn University, Surichai Wankaow, who is concerned about health risks from development projects. Surichai said the latest accident reconfirmed the huge gap between health risks and state development projects.

"Health risk management lags far behind. The industry is growing while people are left at risk," he said.

Surichai urged the government to close the gap and develop mechanisms to protect local communities from risks from the industrial estates.

"To manage the risks, you have to first disclose all the risks," Surichai said.

Representatives of the IEAT were not available for comment yesterday.

Located in Muang Rayong district, Map Ta Phut is home to almost 100 factories on four estates - Map Ta Phut, Pha Daeng, Eastern and Asia.

Most are petrochemical and power-generation plants. Some are coal-fired. Since the first factories started operating in the district almost two decades ago, residents have suffered health risks from air pollution and factory accidents.

Toxic gases have sometimes leaked from factories and through accidents.

The Pollution Control Department in 2005 found 40 volatile organic compounds, including 19 cancer-causing agents, contaminating the air at a higher levels than the safety standards of the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Map Ta Phut Phanpittayakhom School was moved out of the area and the Map Ta Phut Hospital is now being relocated due to air pollution.

Last year, Map Ta Phut residents asked the National Environmental Board (NEB) to declare the area a "pollution-control zone" under the 1992 environmental Protection Act.

The NEB decided instead to order the IEAT to reduce air pollution rather than declare the area a pollution control zone, as it would have affected further expansion of the estate.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008...s_30075314.php

NO report I have seen in English says two dead!?:

Latest tally of affected by PTT Phenol gas leak hits 112

Latest reports from a gas leak incident at a PTT Phenol factory in Rayong province have revealed that workers were exposed to Cumene gas causing them to be disorientated, nauseas and also experience headaches and vomiting. The total of those affected has reached 112 people who are all now receiving treatment at Mabthaput (มาบตาพุด) Hospital, Mongkut Rayong (มงกุฎระยอง) Hospital and Rayong Hospital.

Governor of Rayong Chidpong Ruedprasas (ชิดพงษ์ ฤทธิประศาสน์) emerged after inspecting the factory to say that the incident has affected investment as well as morale in the area. The province is trying to calm fears among citizens, assuring that the chemical is not dangerous and does not have any long term effects. The governor stated that a meeting will be called with all relevant agencies so that they may be instructed to be more stringent in their safety measures. Mr. Chidpong commented that during this incident he noticed that the rescue efforts were disorganized and asked that the system be revamped.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglis...d=255106110005

[GWR]

See also five previous recent posts on a major chemical leak in Rayong.


I sort of gather that ammonia leaks are pretty common in Thailand's food industry. I remember an ice factory that used to discharge its chemical-laden pollution into the city's canal at night, assuming no one would see them doing it. The municipal threatened to close it many times. It finally closed after one of the employees was fatally overcome by ammonia.

70 workers rushed to hospitals following ammonia leakage

Pathum Thani - About 70 workers were rushed to nearby hospitals after an ammonia pipe leaked in a chicken factory early Saturday morning, police said.

Police said the accident occurred at about 12:15 am at the Gramsiam Good Siam in Lamlukka district.

The workers developed dizziness and chest pain and rushed to four nearby hospitals.

Thada Jitkha, the general manager of the factory, said a leakage occurred at a pipe, causing ammonia to be inhaled by the workers.

He said the company would compensate all the workers who fell sick because of the gas inhaling.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/brea...ewsid=30075528

[GWR]

Wednesday 7th January 2009
Petrol Tanker explodes during repairs, killing two and injuring three technicians

On Tuesday evening Police Lieutenant Siam from Pantong Police Station in Chonburi District was called to the scene of a horrific accident involving a petrol tanker which killed two and injured three others. The incident occurred at the Jongalern Garage and according to the injured; while the tanker was being repaired an explosion occurred. Police suspect the incident occurred due to a spark which ignited petrol which was inside the tanker. The owner of the garage, Khun Tongshai who is also a local city councilor and a technician, Khun Boonsong aged 62 lost their lives in the explosion. Questions are now being asked why petrol was still present inside the tank knowing that welding equipment was in use at the repair shop. The Police investigation continues.

http://www.pattayaone.net/news/2009/..._01_52_2.shtml