Industrial Accidents Under Spotlight: House Committee to Discuss Prevention Measures

[snoop1130]

 

Following a succession of alarming industrial accidents, the House Committee on Industry is due to meet tomorrow to formulate key strategies aimed at enhancing site safety and ensuring fair compensation for future incidents. The critical session was spurred by a spate of warehouse and factory fires, culminating in a catastrophic explosion last week at the Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal (MTT) in Rayong.

 

Kamonthas Kittisoonthornsakul, a Move Forward Party (MFP) MP for Rayong and Deputy Chair of the committee, underscored the magnitude of the gathered representatives' task. She emphasised that collectively, they must address the escalating issue of onsite safety precautions as well as ensuring that victims of such accidents are adequately compensated.

 

Heightening the sense of urgency, an explosion on May 9 at MTT's pyrolysis gas (PYGAS) tank claimed one life and left four with injuries. This incident marked the tenth chemical and industrial fire this year, alarmingly, with half of these accidents occurring within the month.

 

In her statement, Kamonthas drew attention to questionable environmental evaluations undertaken in the wake of the May 9th MTT explosion. She shared concerns about the authorities' conclusion that the incident had caused negligible pollution, suggesting that they had focused on the wrong area in their assessment.

 

Criticising the reliance on air quality readings from tambon Map Ta Phut, she argued that accurate figures should have been gathered from tambon Huai Pong, directly affected by the prevailing winds during the explosion. Corroborating her assertion, nearly 60 local residents reported health issues linked to smoke resulting from the explosion.

 

Concerned about the surging number of factories in Rayong following its inclusion in the pollution-control area designation in 2009, Kamonthas implored region's administration for a strategic response. She advocated for an upgrade in the emergency notification systems and implementing a thorough pollution assessment for all factories in the region.

 

Meanwhile, former Bangkok Deputy Governor Samart Ratchapolsitte defended the country's pollution laws. Using social media, he insisted the legislation was instrumental in preventing further industrial incidents. The House Committee's meeting tomorrow will illuminate the path forward as stakeholders grapple with pressing issues of industrial safety and accountability.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google

 

-- 2024-05-14

 

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[dinsdale]

Just another knee jerk reaction to an industrial base full of corruption and cost cutting.

Edited May 14 by dinsdale

[Will B Good]

Even in ‘tightly controlled' industrial operations, like in the UK, you still get major accidents……Thailand is like the wild west when it comes to H&S…….. there are accidents just waiting to happen.

[hotchilli]

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

She emphasised that collectively, they must address the escalating issue of onsite safety precautions as well as ensuring that victims of such accidents are adequately compensated.

New territory for Thailand... safety and compensation.

[PETERTHEEATER]

16 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Even in ‘tightly controlled' industrial operations, like in the UK, you still get major accidents……Thailand is like the wild west when it comes to H&S…….. there are accidents just waiting to happen.

You mean the big white board bearing a green cross and the legend 'Safety First' is ineffective?