Chlorine Leakage Incident at Govindpura Industrial Area
An incident of chlorine leakage occurred at the Govindpura Industrial Area on the 5th and 6th of March, 2014. The leak control and neutralization mission was successfully accomplished by the ERC, MPPCB, Bhopal.
A gas leak was reported from the premises of a scrap dealer by the Regional Officer, Bhopal, at about 7 PM. The premises were identified to be at Plot No. 7/7, Sector 'H'. The leak occurred while cutting a scrapped chlorine cylinder with a gas cutter. A similar incident was reported on the 12th of February at Firozpur, Punjab, where a junk dealer attempted to cut a chlorine cylinder. Both incidents are in blatant violation of the Gas Cylinder Rules, 2004.
The local fire brigade and the officials of the Department of Industrial Health & Safety were informed by the OIC Emergency Response Centre, who also moved to the site to assess the situation. The scrap dealer reported that he had received a scrap consignment containing a tank with a valve, and his men attempted to cut the tank at about 5 PM, causing a pungent gas to leak. All the men fled the scene, causing panic in the neighborhood. Some men splashed water on the tank, resulting in a thick white cloud and worsening the situation.
By the time the officers of DIHS & ERC reached the site, there were no lights in the work area, making it impossible to approach the leak's source. It was ascertained that the gas was chlorine. Since none of the first responders reached the site, the BHEL safety officer was requested by phone to dispatch the CISF fire & safety response unit with SCBA facilities to assess the leak and take action. The CISF team arrived at about 9 PM, and it was decided that men with SCBA would determine the leak's size for further action. By this time, the leak had reduced due to ice formation. A water screen was set up by the CISF fire brigade, and dragon lights were used to improve visibility and access to the tank. Feedback from the scrap dealer's men involved in the cutting operation helped trace the hole's location, which was circular and about the size of a 10 rupee coin. A wooden peg was carved and sent with the CISF men to plug the hole. The situation seemed under control, and it was thought that the issue could be resolved the next day. A visit to the site at 1 AM confirmed that everything was okay.
The next day, on the morning of 06/03/2014, the local Industrial Association office bearer reported only a lingering pungent smell with no concern. The chlorine gas leakage from the scrapped cylinder on the evening of the 5th had created panic and affected workers in the surrounding industries. A CISF personnel and two workers were affected and sent to the hospital for first aid after experiencing coughing and vomiting. The ERC scientist was deputed to visit the site with Regional Office officials to assess the situation and gather paperwork, relevant documents, permissions, and licenses of the occupier/scrap vendor. The Joint Director, DIHS, informed the ERC that the occupier did not fall under their jurisdiction as it was a scrap dealer's premises and not a factory, and hence they would not attend to it further.
During inspection, there was a pungent and penetrating smell of chlorine inside the premises. The details about the manufacturer, supplier, or test date were not visible on the cylinder, which was lying on the soil surface. Fortunately, ice formation on the cylinder's outer surface provided good insulation, reducing vaporization by restricting external heat transmission. As the sun rose, the chlorine emission rate increased due to rising ambient temperature. This was reported to the ERC, and the district administration, Nagar Nigam chief engineer, and BHEL officials were requested to respond to the situation. Communication was also made to the 108 Ambulance to reach the site. As the chlorine concentration rose rapidly, it was decided to neutralize the leaking gas on the spot, as shifting the chlorine cylinder seemed counterproductive and hazardous. The nearest help capable of dealing with the chlorine issue was at Nagda, about 300 kilometers away, and would have taken at least six more hours to reach the site.
In the given situation, a JCB machine was called to excavate a pit to accommodate the leaked cylinder for neutralization. The pit was filled with water, and an alkali solution was added. The cylinder was lowered vertically into the pit with the help of a hydra machine. The level of lime and caustic solution for speedy absorption and neutralization was maintained in the pit, as some quantity was seeping underground to the nearby drain. Precautions were taken to ensure the cylinder did not float in the pit by adding extra weight on top. Considering the quantity of sodium hydroxide and lime consumed, the chlorine in the cylinder was estimated to be no less than 300 kg. About 50 kg of sodium hydroxide and 500 kg of lime were used in slurry form during the neutralization operation. Since it was a scrap cutting and fabrication unit, it lacked safety equipment, a neutralizing system, or cylinder handling machines, requiring all necessary resources to be pooled from outside.
The entire operation was completed successfully with the sincere support of BHEL & CISF officials and local Industries Association office bearers. CISF responded on both days with the required breathing apparatus, personal protective equipment, and fire brigade, which were critical in controlling the leak and lowering the leaking chlorine cylinder into the makeshift neutralization pit and establishing a water curtain. The Medical Help Line (108) also promptly responded. Technical guidance provided by Mr. H.S. Sehgal, a Chlorine Expert from Vadodara, proved very useful during the entire neutralization operation, which lasted about six hours. The Emergency Response Centre gratefully acknowledges the sincere, selfless, and timely help of all involved in managing the crisis during the leak control and neutralization activity.
The photographic record of some steps taken during the activity is available on the ERC website www.ercmp.nic.in under recent emergencies tackled.
Regards,
From India
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730An incident of chlorine leakage occurred at the Govindpura Industrial Area on the 5th and 6th of March, 2014. The leak control and neutralization mission was successfully accomplished by the ERC, MPPCB, Bhopal.
A gas leak was reported from the premises of a scrap dealer by the Regional Officer, Bhopal, at about 7 PM. The premises were identified to be at Plot No. 7/7, Sector 'H'. The leak occurred while cutting a scrapped chlorine cylinder with a gas cutter. A similar incident was reported on the 12th of February at Firozpur, Punjab, where a junk dealer attempted to cut a chlorine cylinder. Both incidents are in blatant violation of the Gas Cylinder Rules, 2004.
The local fire brigade and the officials of the Department of Industrial Health & Safety were informed by the OIC Emergency Response Centre, who also moved to the site to assess the situation. The scrap dealer reported that he had received a scrap consignment containing a tank with a valve, and his men attempted to cut the tank at about 5 PM, causing a pungent gas to leak. All the men fled the scene, causing panic in the neighborhood. Some men splashed water on the tank, resulting in a thick white cloud and worsening the situation.
By the time the officers of DIHS & ERC reached the site, there were no lights in the work area, making it impossible to approach the leak's source. It was ascertained that the gas was chlorine. Since none of the first responders reached the site, the BHEL safety officer was requested by phone to dispatch the CISF fire & safety response unit with SCBA facilities to assess the leak and take action. The CISF team arrived at about 9 PM, and it was decided that men with SCBA would determine the leak's size for further action. By this time, the leak had reduced due to ice formation. A water screen was set up by the CISF fire brigade, and dragon lights were used to improve visibility and access to the tank. Feedback from the scrap dealer's men involved in the cutting operation helped trace the hole's location, which was circular and about the size of a 10 rupee coin. A wooden peg was carved and sent with the CISF men to plug the hole. The situation seemed under control, and it was thought that the issue could be resolved the next day. A visit to the site at 1 AM confirmed that everything was okay.
The next day, on the morning of 06/03/2014, the local Industrial Association office bearer reported only a lingering pungent smell with no concern. The chlorine gas leakage from the scrapped cylinder on the evening of the 5th had created panic and affected workers in the surrounding industries. A CISF personnel and two workers were affected and sent to the hospital for first aid after experiencing coughing and vomiting. The ERC scientist was deputed to visit the site with Regional Office officials to assess the situation and gather paperwork, relevant documents, permissions, and licenses of the occupier/scrap vendor. The Joint Director, DIHS, informed the ERC that the occupier did not fall under their jurisdiction as it was a scrap dealer's premises and not a factory, and hence they would not attend to it further.
During inspection, there was a pungent and penetrating smell of chlorine inside the premises. The details about the manufacturer, supplier, or test date were not visible on the cylinder, which was lying on the soil surface. Fortunately, ice formation on the cylinder's outer surface provided good insulation, reducing vaporization by restricting external heat transmission. As the sun rose, the chlorine emission rate increased due to rising ambient temperature. This was reported to the ERC, and the district administration, Nagar Nigam chief engineer, and BHEL officials were requested to respond to the situation. Communication was also made to the 108 Ambulance to reach the site. As the chlorine concentration rose rapidly, it was decided to neutralize the leaking gas on the spot, as shifting the chlorine cylinder seemed counterproductive and hazardous. The nearest help capable of dealing with the chlorine issue was at Nagda, about 300 kilometers away, and would have taken at least six more hours to reach the site.
In the given situation, a JCB machine was called to excavate a pit to accommodate the leaked cylinder for neutralization. The pit was filled with water, and an alkali solution was added. The cylinder was lowered vertically into the pit with the help of a hydra machine. The level of lime and caustic solution for speedy absorption and neutralization was maintained in the pit, as some quantity was seeping underground to the nearby drain. Precautions were taken to ensure the cylinder did not float in the pit by adding extra weight on top. Considering the quantity of sodium hydroxide and lime consumed, the chlorine in the cylinder was estimated to be no less than 300 kg. About 50 kg of sodium hydroxide and 500 kg of lime were used in slurry form during the neutralization operation. Since it was a scrap cutting and fabrication unit, it lacked safety equipment, a neutralizing system, or cylinder handling machines, requiring all necessary resources to be pooled from outside.
The entire operation was completed successfully with the sincere support of BHEL & CISF officials and local Industries Association office bearers. CISF responded on both days with the required breathing apparatus, personal protective equipment, and fire brigade, which were critical in controlling the leak and lowering the leaking chlorine cylinder into the makeshift neutralization pit and establishing a water curtain. The Medical Help Line (108) also promptly responded. Technical guidance provided by Mr. H.S. Sehgal, a Chlorine Expert from Vadodara, proved very useful during the entire neutralization operation, which lasted about six hours. The Emergency Response Centre gratefully acknowledges the sincere, selfless, and timely help of all involved in managing the crisis during the leak control and neutralization activity.
The photographic record of some steps taken during the activity is available on the ERC website www.ercmp.nic.in under recent emergencies tackled.
Regards,
From India
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Thank you for sharing such a nice case study on chlorine gas leakage and emergency control. This information is very helpful to all sectors of industries that use chlorine gas, enabling them to take necessary actions in such emergencies.
As we all know, chlorine is a hazardous gas with the potential to cause the death of many lives. By sharing this information, you have helped raise awareness and preparedness among all those responsible for handling such duties.
Thank you once again for your valuable contribution.
Best regards,
From India, Bangalore
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As we all know, chlorine is a hazardous gas with the potential to cause the death of many lives. By sharing this information, you have helped raise awareness and preparedness among all those responsible for handling such duties.
Thank you once again for your valuable contribution.
Best regards,
From India, Bangalore
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