Around a dozen accidents occur every year. Contrary to statistics, the Labour Union opposes this, claiming hundreds of accidents in the state annually. The union also demands timely compensation for the family members. Whether it’s infrastructure, industry, or development, Haryana continues to witness progress on all fronts, reaching new dimensions in the automobile industry. In the overall development of the state, the contributions of the labor industry cannot be denied. However, due to a lack of proper safety measures and arrangements, laborers working in industrial units are prone to accidents, as highlighted in recent data from the winter assembly session.
Data revealed during the session shows that workers in factories, particularly in Gurugram and Rewari districts, are constant victims of accidents, with an average of a dozen incidents each year over the past nine years. While government data suggests 114 accidents in total, other labor unions dispute these figures, stating that such incidents occur daily in automobile factories, leading to a significant concern for the countless laborers losing their basic physical abilities.Reacting to the issue, Comrade Suresh Kumar, General Secretary of CITU, Haryana, stated that such accidents happen routinely, and many incidents go unrecorded, leaving victims and their families in disparity. He emphasized the need for safety equipment and proper compensation for injured or deceased laborers.
Gurugram district, a hub for industrial development and the automobile industry, has seen the highest number of accidents in the last nine years, with 52, 36, and 15 accidents reported in Rewari, Faridabad, and Gurugram, respectively, contributing to 76 percent of accidents in the state. Additionally, 5 cases were reported in Sonipat, 3 in Yamunanagar, and 2 in Hisar. It is essential to note that, concerning the quality testing of machines, the government revealed that no Power Press machines were tested by the Labour Department. This information raises concerns about safety measures, especially as per the rules outlined in Schedule-VI of Rule 55 of the Punjab Factory Rules, 1952.
Anoop Dhanak, Minister of State, Labour, Haryana, explained that under Clause 4 of Schedule-VI of Rule 55 of the Punjab Factory Rules, 1952, each Power press should be provided with a safety guard on all sides to prevent workers’ hands or fingers from reaching the tool and dye area, the dangerous zone. The occupier of the factory is responsible for providing safety guards on each Power press, which can include sensor guards, mechanical guards, interlock guards, and both hand-operated switches.
