ABSTRACT
Occupational chemical accidents have increased in recent years in India. In the early hours of 7th May 2020, a chemical accident occurred in which a hazardous gas, styrene, was accidently released from a tank of LG Polymers, Vishakhapatnam (or Vizag), in the atmosphere causing several deaths and injuries to many and significant damage to the environment.
This article focussed on the accidental release of hazardous gas, styrene, from the tank of L. G. Polymers, Vizag, probable causes of accident, and existing relevant rules regulations on the subject in India. Data were obtained by making visits to accident place and nearby areas of the L.G. Polymers. Some weaknesses were seen in the safety management capacity of the Company. The main weaknesses were lack of an effective surveillance system for chemical accidents, low levels of safety in chemical plant, ineffective & inexperienced top- and low-level management to tackle incident of such type. Other weaknesses included the lack of awareness of residents of the nearby localities about chemical hazards. The Company was not prepared for such chemical accident both within industrialplant and in nearby residential area.
Action is needed to improve the areas of weakness so as to achieve the necessary capacities for chemical safety and preparedness and response to chemical incidents in line with the existing Rules & Regulations.
