Ammonia safety drive prompts major overhaul in Guntur cold storages
A sustained industrial safety campaign has led to a major shift in ammonia handling practices in cold storages across Guntur district, with nearly 70 out
A sustained industrial safety campaign has led to a major shift in ammonia handling practices in cold storages across Guntur district, with nearly 70 out of 100 facilities relocating ammonia storage tanks from compressor rooms to safer outdoor locations, significantly reducing the risk of industrial disasters, officials said at an awareness seminar on Thursday. The seminar on ammonia gas safety, organised by the Factories Department in Guntur, was attended by representatives of 85 factories.
Officials stressed that preventive safety measures are far more valuable than compensation after accidents, emphasising that no amount of financial assistance can replace a lost life. Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories M.V. Siva Kumar Reddy explained the importance of adopting safer ammonia storage systems, particularly in cold storage units, to protect workers and nearby communities from potential gas leaks.
He said relocation of ammonia tanks, many of which had remained inside machinery rooms for nearly three decades, marked a significant improvement in industrial safety standards. Cold Storage Association president P. Surendrababu credited the transformation to continuous awareness programmes and training sessions conducted by the Factories Department. Several factory representatives said the department's sustained monitoring and safety initiatives had contributed to zero fatal industrial accidents in Guntur district.
Cold Storage Association secretary K. Raghavaiah, Assistant District Fire Officer K. Krishna Reddy, and safety officers from Coca-Cola, Sangam Dairy and CCL also participated in the programme.--eom
The BriefWire