Safety last, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• In October 2025, an explosion at Sri Ganapathi Grand Fireworks in Andhra Pradesh killed 10, prompting new safety norms.
• An explosion at Sri Surya Firecrackers in Andhra Pradesh in March 2026 killed 20, revealing safety norm violations.
• A blast at SBL Energy factory in Nagpur in March 2026 resulted in 19 fatalities, predominantly women.
• The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), the regulator, is headquartered in Nagpur.

Detailed Insights:

• High-risk industries in India, such as the explosive handling industry, often have poor safety records due to unskilled labor, unsafe practices, and weak regulatory oversight.
• The Sri Surya Firecrackers unit that experienced the explosion had been ordered to cease operations in January and exceeded its permitted explosive quota.
• Nagpur was established as a hub for explosives manufacturing, but private factories in the Bazargaon area employ mostly women on low wages with insufficient training.
• Political connections of factory owners in Nagpur are alleged to result in lenient law enforcement, despite the presence of PESO.
• Sivakasi's fireworks industry in Tamil Nadu improved its safety record through enhanced safety training and awareness, offering a potential model for other regions.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO): The regulatory body responsible for overseeing safety in the petroleum and explosives industries in India.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): A set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out complex routine operations.
• High-Risk Industries: Sectors with a greater-than-average potential for accidents, injuries, or health problems.