No questions have been asked of the inspector who was responsible for inspecting that particular boiler
LAHORE: This refers to the recent, tragic news of a boiler explosion in Gujranwala, resulting in the death of eight workers. The news of boiler explosions is now a matter of routine as we frequently read about such tragic stories. Our higher-ups are negligent about the rising prevalence of such accidents and no serious investigations have been conducted to investigate the causes of such explosions and the loss of precious lives, probably because poor workers are the only ones who meet these types of tragic deaths. According to the regulations of the government of Pakistan, every boiler is to be inspected by the boiler inspector, to ensure safety. In the case of this recent tragedy, the son of the factory owner, along with the factory manager and a few engineers, have been arrested, while the factory owner is still at large. No questions have been asked of the inspector who was responsible for inspecting that particular boiler.
Boiler manufacturing is a specialised job as it falls under the category of pressure vessels, but this specified and enumerated task of manufacturing highly sophisticated, complex, intricate and elaborate machinery is being handled by every Tom, Dick and Harry, and boiler manufacturing facilities are now spread all over the country like regular cottage industries, and no preventive steps are ever taken by the authorities concerned to check and discontinue the manufacturing of boilers by unqualified persons. With the increase in furnace oil prices and the unavailability of natural gas, factory owners have switched over to wood-fired boilers without even contemplating the impact the burning of wood could have on already depleting forest reserves of the country — which are below three per cent, as of now. They disregard the effects this malpractice has on the environment and our environmental protection authorities are least bothered about the consequences. These boilers are not manufactured according to recognised pressure vessel safety rules and the dark, black fumes are adversely affecting the atmosphere of our country. Emitting through factory chimneys, this toxic smoke is visible from afar. The labour present at these sites is mostly unskilled and uneducated; workers place the wooden planks into the furnace directly, without following any safety precautions.
According to law, every boiler above a certain rating is to be registered in the name of a certified boiler engineer who draws a hefty salary, but we still encounter frequent cases of boiler explosions. The curriculum that boiler engineers study is in desperate need of being revised by competent engineers, in accordance with the latest technologies, while the minimum educational requirement for appearing in the boiler engineer’s certification examinations need to be raised.
In sea vessels, boilers of extremely high working pressures are installed, but we never come across stories of boiler explosions on merchant vessels. Although there is never a special boiler engineer on sea vessels, the boilers are looked after and operated by marine engineers who are highly qualified and aware of safety standards. Moreover, globally recognised surveyors survey all pressure vessels on sea carriers. The surveyor is fully aware of his responsibilities and realises that even slight oversight on his or her part while conducting the survey, could wreak havoc on life and property.
In order to eliminate boiler explosions, I suggest the relevant authorities make it mandatory that all boilers be inspected by internationally recognised surveyors and that marine engineers working in various industrial units, be authorised to get boilers registered under their name. Additionally, there should be a complete ban on the manufacturing of wood-fired boilers along with confiscation of all such boilers installed at any industrial units all over the country. Finally, there needs to be a strict and rigorous check on local manufacturers of boilers to ensure adherence to globally recognised standards of manufacturing pressure vessels.
Aamir Aqil
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2015.
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