Kanpur: An assistant operator was burnt to death in a fire that broke out after the diesel tank of a piling machine exploded in the industrial corridor of Saranay Katiyan on Saturday. The incident led workers to stage a three-hour protest, demanding accountability and compensation for the deceased.
Incident Details
The explosion occurred during construction work at a factory site. Staff engaged in the construction alleged that a generator was placed inside the piling machine. The generator's diesel tank exploded, causing a massive fire. Welding work was also being carried out using the same generator at the time of the incident.
Allegations of Negligence
Workers accused the construction agency of negligence, stating that safety equipment was not provided and that worker safety was continuously ignored. They claimed that the fire incident was a direct result of these lapses.
Police and Management Response
Dahi police station in charge Gyanendra Singh confirmed that the assistant operator was working through contractor Shariq. Police facilitated talks between the deceased's family and the construction agency's manager. The company's work in charge, Ranvijay, gave a written assurance of providing maximum compensation. After the agreement, at 9:30 pm, police sent the body for post-mortem.
Compensation Assurance
Singh stated that assurances were given to the family members regarding compensation. “Talks were held between both parties for about an hour. Family members and workers calmed down only after construction agency manager Ranvijay gave a written commitment to provide maximum compensation,” he said.
Ongoing Investigation
The police are investigating the incident further. The post-mortem report is awaited, and legal action will be taken based on the findings. Workers have demanded stricter safety measures at construction sites to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This incident highlights the critical need for safety protocols in industrial environments. The authorities have assured that necessary steps will be taken to ensure compliance with safety standards.
