Labourer dies in gas leak at paper mill in India

August 24, 2010

A contractual laborer died of a gas leak at Panoli in the Bharuch district of India while cleaning a locked paper mill in the Panoli Industrial Association. The incident occurred at the Shri Swami Harigiri Paper Mills Limited where three workers had gone to clean a 10 feet by 10 feet paper pulp storage tank.

Ankleshwar Rural police officers said as soon as the storage tank was opened, the victim was exposed to a 'lethal' gas and died of gas exposure. Two other workers, who were accompanying him, fell unconscious and were later discharged after preliminary treatment at hospital.

The pulp chamber had been shut for the past one month due to a disagreement between the workers and the management. The workers were asked to clean the factory following the resolution of the differences.

Factory workers have alleged that proper safety gear was not provided to the three workers.