Factory sealed for flouting safety bylaws

Civil Defence dept launches districtwide crackdown against violators

RAWALPINDI:

A factory operating in a densely populated neighborhood in the Pirwadhai area of the garrison city has been sealed by the Rawalpindi Civil Defence Department for lacking a fire safety system, days after it caught fire, posing a serious threat to public life and property.

According to sources, the factory violated safety bylaws by not installing fire extinguishers which resulted in the fire incident.

They said the blaze at the shoe factory had gutted heavy machinery and goods after it erupted in the chemical stockpiles of the manufacturing unit and spread to other parts. However, no loss of life was reported.

Following the incident, the Civil Defence department has launched a districtwide operation against factories, filling stations, and major bakeries involved in flouting safety bylaws.

The department’s teams have issued 70 challans to various factories, fuel stations, and industries operating without abiding by safety measures.

District Civil Defence Officer Talib Hussain said seven filing stations have so far been sealed. He instructed businesses to install fire extinguishers before summer when fire incidents rise.

The officer said we have decided to launch an awareness campaign from March 1, to encourage owners of major malls, fuel stations, furniture stores, and plastic manufacturing units to install fire extinguishers before summer.

Any building that catches fire due to a lack of fire extinguishers will be sealed right away, he said, and added that the sealed unit would remain closed until safety requirements are fulfilled.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 26^th, 2023.