Explosion at Shipbreaking Yard in Sitakunda Bangladesh: 12 workers severely injured
Another tragic accident at a shipbreaking yard in Chattogram’s Sitakunda has once again spotlighted the dire working conditions in Bangladesh’s hazardous shipbreaking industry. On Saturday, an explosion at SN Corporation’s shipbreaking yard left 12 workers severely injured, with 10 in critical condition. The incident occurred when the workers were inspecting a fuel tank in the engine room of a scrapped ship, according to a report by a local daily.
This is not an isolated event. Over the past two decades, such accidents have claimed the lives of 257 workers in the shipbreaking yards of Sitakunda, making this industry one of the most dangerous in the country. Despite legislation and guidelines in place, incidents like this continue to happen with alarming regularity, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of safety regulations and enforcement.
A Dangerous Profession
Shipbreaking is a crucial industry for Bangladesh, contributing significantly to the country’s steel industry by recycling parts from decommissioned ships. However, the benefits of this industry come at a high human cost. The profession has long been marred by dangerous working conditions, with workers often facing life-threatening risks daily.
On Saturday, the explosion at SN Corporation’s yard served as yet another reminder of how perilous this line of work is. As authorities rush to investigate the cause of the accident, many are asking whether the explosion was preventable and what could have been done to avoid it. The fact that incidents like this continue to happen, even after numerous deaths and injuries over the years, suggests that the existing safety measures are either insufficient or poorly enforced.
According to reports, only four out of the 30 to 35 shipbreaking yards in Sitakunda hold green compliance certificates, which are awarded based on environmental friendliness, worker safety, and overall working conditions. This means the majority of these yards operate without proper safeguards in place, leaving workers vulnerable to accidents. Without stricter regulations or more robust enforcement, tragedies like the one on Saturday are bound to continue.
Poor Working Conditions and Lack of Safety Measures in Bangladesh
Reports from Sitakunda’s shipbreaking yards paint a grim picture of workers’ conditions. Despite the hazardous nature of the job, workers are often not provided with proper safety gear. Many handle toxic materials without protection, inhale dangerous fumes, and are exposed to various carcinogens while dismantling ships. Additionally, many workers toil long hours in extreme conditions without adequate breaks, which increases the risk of accidents and long-term health issues.
This incident serves as a chilling reminder of the daily risks faced by the men working in these yards. Without proper training, equipment, and working conditions, they are essentially working in death traps. The fact that 10 of the 12 injured workers from Saturday’s explosion are in critical condition underscores how unsafe these environments can be.
For years, labor rights groups and human rights organizations have raised concerns about the safety of workers in the shipbreaking industry. The absence of basic protective measures, coupled with exposure to hazardous materials, has made this one of the deadliest professions in the country. Despite these concerns, little has been done to improve working conditions.
Weak Enforcement of Existing Laws in Bangladesh
Despite the Bangladesh Ship Recycling Act of 2018 and the Ship Breaking and Recycling Rules of 2011, which aim to ensure the rights of workers and safe working conditions, enforcement of these laws has been poor. These legal instruments outline specific requirements for worker training, safety equipment, and operational standards that employers must adhere to. Yet, accidents continue to occur, exposing the weak oversight of this sector.
In 2018, the Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board was established under the new legislation to oversee and regulate the industry. Its responsibilities include evaluating safety standards, supervising operations, and ensuring that workers’ rights are protected. However, six years later, the board remains largely inactive. Many believe that the failure to implement and enforce the provisions of the 2018 law is a significant factor contributing to the ongoing accidents in the sector.
Saturday’s explosion raises the question of whether the responsible authorities are conducting regular inspections at the shipbreaking yards. Without proper monitoring, it’s nearly impossible to ensure that safety regulations are being followed. It is suspected that the lack of oversight and the failure to implement safety measures contributed to the conditions that led to the explosion. Whether or not this particular incident was due to negligence, the fact remains that the working environment in many of these yards is unsafe.
The Human Cost of Neglect
The human cost of these accidents is often overlooked. Each worker injured or killed in a shipbreaking yard leaves behind a family, often dependent on their income. Many workers in this sector come from low-income backgrounds and take up these dangerous jobs out of sheer necessity. When they are injured, they are not only faced with the physical and emotional trauma of the accident, but they also risk losing their livelihoods.
The long-term health effects of working in a shipbreaking yard are also significant. Workers are routinely exposed to asbestos, lead, and other toxic materials, which can lead to serious health problems such as respiratory diseases and cancer. The absence of proper safety measures only compounds these risks. Yet, there seems to be little urgency on the part of the government to address these issues comprehensively.
The Role of Green Compliance
One of the key issues in the shipbreaking industry is the lack of green compliance. Green compliance certificates are awarded to shipbreaking yards that meet specific criteria for environmental sustainability, worker safety, and proper working conditions. However, as mentioned earlier, only four of the 30 to 35 yards in Sitakunda have received this certification. This means the vast majority of yards are operating without regard for either environmental standards or the safety of their workers.
Environmentalists have long argued that the process of shipbreaking can have devastating effects on the environment if not done properly. Scrapped ships contain hazardous materials that can pollute the air, water, and soil if not handled carefully. But environmental concerns often take a backseat to profit in this industry, just as worker safety does.
In the aftermath of Saturday’s explosion, it is crucial to ask why so few yards have green compliance certificates and why those that don’t are allowed to operate. The failure to enforce these standards puts the workers and the environment at risk.
A Call for Accountability
Following the incident, a three-member committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the explosion. While this may be a step in the right direction, it is important to remember that forming committees after an accident is insufficient. The government must take proactive steps to prevent such accidents from happening in the first place.
What is needed now is a comprehensive approach to address the safety issues in the shipbreaking industry. This includes ensuring that all shipbreaking yards comply with the Bangladesh Ship Recycling Act 2018, conducting regular inspections, and imposing penalties on those who fail to meet safety standards. Workers must be provided with proper training and safety equipment, and their health and well-being must be prioritized.
It is also necessary to activate the Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board and empower it to carry out its mandate effectively. This board should play a key role in overseeing the industry, ensuring that shipbreaking yards are operating safely and in compliance with environmental and worker safety standards.
Conclusion: Time for Action
The explosion at SN Corporation’s shipbreaking yard on Saturday was a tragic reminder of the dangerous conditions that workers in this industry face daily. With 257 workers killed over the last two decades, it is clear that more must be done to protect those who work in shipbreaking yards.
The government must take immediate steps to enforce existing safety laws, conduct regular inspections, and hold employers accountable for the conditions in their yards. The lives and well-being of these workers depend on it. If nothing is done, Saturday’s explosion will be just another statistic in a long line of preventable tragedies. It’s time for the government, yard owners, and all stakeholders to take responsibility and ensure that the shipbreaking industry operates safely, responsibly, and in accordance with the law.
