Gandhinagar: The Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), which functions under the Labour and Employment department, has issued a prohibition order to Yashashvi Rasayan Pvt Ltd, Bharuch, where an explosion left 9 workers dead and 79 others injured on Wednesday. It has also ordered a safety audit of chemical units in Dahej.

The fire spread rapidly and also caused damage to the second plant in the factory. The mishap left nine workers dead (6 on the spot & 3 at the time of hospital treatment) and injured 79 injured. Out of 79, 34 has been discharged, 44 are stable and 1 worker in serious condition.” Senior official said.

Vipul Mittra, additional chief secretary of Labour and Employment department said that a prohibition order was issued to the factory within a few hours of the incident.

“DISH has issued a prohibition order to Yashashvi Rasayan under Section 40 (2) of the Factories Act. We have also started an investigation into the incident. To ensure safety of workers, the unit will not be allowed to resume operations until adequate safety measures are in place,” said Mittra.

He also said that a safety audit of all Major Accident Hazard (MAH) units and chemical units will be undertaken, and warned of strict action against units not following the recommendations in the safety audit.

Mittra also informed that the management of Yashashvi Rasayan has decided to pay ex gratia of Rs. 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased workers.

“The process for paying compensation to the heirs of the deceased workers has also been initiated,” he said, adding that an investigation into the incident is in progress.

“An explosion with fire erupted in the factory of agrochemical manufacturer Yashashvi Rasayan on Wednesday afternoon due to a sudden rise in pressure in the solvent tank in the storage tank farm area.