Tragic year: 12 workers die in factory accidents in Kerala despite reduced safety inspections | Kochi News

Kochi: That Boiler explosion in the animal fat processing factory in Edayar is not an isolated case in Ernakulam. Similar incidents were reported from plywood factories in Perumbavoor.
As many as 12 workers have died and 62 workers have been injured in accidents at factories in the state so far this year.
Officials of the Factories and Boilers Department attributed the increasing number of such incidents to the reduced inspections in factories due to the state government’s crackdown.
Inspection in factories is now streamlined through the Kerala Central Inspection System. The state government limited inspections to once a year in high-risk factories, every two years in medium-risk factories, and only every three years in low-risk factories. Officials can inspect the factories if necessary.
“The government has restricted inspections to make it easier to do business. This policy has had a negative impact on the safety of workers in the factories,” an official said.
Plywood factories had previously reported numerous deaths of migrant workers, including 23-year-old West Bengal native Nazeer, who fell into a burning pile of garbage last year. “After the many accidents in plywood factories, the owners installed boilers under IBR. This has helped reduce accidents this year. However, many fire incidents were reported there during the summer. This forced the local authority to issue a directive to renew the permit.” “We will only work if the factories introduce better fire safety measures. Additionally, local protests against the factories are brewing due to pollution, which is why many factories are now shifting to Kannur.