Report by Mazdoor Ekta Committee correspondent
A massive explosion occurred in the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant of the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) on 8 June 2026, leading to molten metal falling on workers. Eight workers died on the spot and six were injured severely. One more worker died two days later due to severe burns. (See Box – The Horrific Accident)
This is not the first time the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has witnessed such a major accident. In June 2012, an explosion in the oxygen control unit of SMS-2 caused death of 19 workers. In the years that followed, minor gas leaks, pressure valve failures and other accidents from time to time claimed lives of workers and exposed the safety standards of the Plant. In May 2022, an explosion at Blast Furnace 3 injured several workers and renewed concerns about safety standards.
Workers have pointed out that these events show that the problem is not a lack of engineering expertise. It is a neglect of safety norms and practices. Workers believe that the government is deliberately starving the Vizag Steel Plant of finances, in order to justify its privatisation. ”Vizag Steel Plant has been starved of finances, and the first casualties have been preventive maintenance, safety audits and equipment replacement”, they are reported to have said.
Further, there is increasing use of contract workers, even in specialised hazardous operations, due to the severe shortage of regular employees. Contract workers do not have the same level of training and experience that are required to carry out critical functions. This creates additional risks in a highly hazardous environment.
For several years, workers and trade unions have been protesting against the proposed privatisation of RINL by the Union Government. They believe the government is deliberately not allotting a captive iron ore mine as that would make the Plant competitive. The government wants the poor financial situation of the Plant to continue to justify its privatisation!
Workers of the Vizag Steel Plant, both permanent and casual, are paying a heavy price for this, even with their lives.
Mazdoor Ekta Committee condemns the government for its utterly callous attitude towards safety of workers. It is the responsibility of the government and the Plant administration to ensure that safety norms are strictly implemented.
The government must thoroughly investigate the causes for accident and neglect of safety procedures which has resulted in the horrific deaths of these workers. Those guilty of negligence of safety procedures, at the highest levels of management, must be punished.
Mazdoor Ekta Committee demands that the government immediately provide the needed financial support to the Vizag Steel Plant, and ensure that all measures to ensure safe operation of the Plant and safety of workers are taken immediately.
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The Horrific Accident Steelmaking is intrinsically dangerous because it combines extreme temperatures, pressurised gases, heavy equipment, and enormous amounts of heat energy. Even relatively small failures can result in multiple casualties. This accident occurred in the Steel Melting Shop (SMS) -1. At around 4:15 p.m. on June 8, a vessel carrying molten metal, called Ladle No. 19, was suspended from an overhead crane. It contained approximately 150 tonnes of molten steel heated to nearly 1,600°C. The molten metal was being taken for a continuous casting process. Workers stationed below were carrying out routine preparations for the opening of the ladle’s mechanical slide gate to pour metal into the casting machine. Then, without warning, an explosion took place. It is suspected that gases trapped inside the molten steel may have caused a sudden pressure build-up and resulted in the explosion. Within seconds, a huge ball of fire shot up nearly 80 feet to the ceiling. The overhead crane caught fire almost instantly. The molten steel, glowing white-hot at temperatures approaching 1,600°C, instantly engulfed the workers below. They were burnt beyond recognition. |