Nine workers tragically lost their lives on Friday, August 14, due to suspected toxic gas exposure at the shipbreaking yard of Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries in Bhatiari, Sitakunda upazila, Chattogram. An immediate report by the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) revealed that the workers were fatally affected by toxic gas while cutting scrap inside an old LNG carrier. Initially, five workers perished on the spot, with four more succumbing to their injuries in the hospital. Additionally, 10-12 workers fell seriously ill or sustained injuries due to the incident. The report highlighted that excessive carbon monoxide buildup within the ship led to severe breathing difficulties and loss of consciousness among the workers.
The events leading up to this tragedy are equally alarming. Despite issuing multiple notices to Ferdous Steel regarding safety deficiencies and non-compliance, the DIFE’s inspections revealed that corrective measures were not adequately implemented. Subsequently, a case was filed against the company at the Chattogram Labour Court on July 15. The unfortunate loss of nine employees a month later underscores the potential preventability of the incident through regulatory compliance.
The existing legal framework, such as the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006 and the Ship Breaking and Ship Recycling Rules 2011, empowers authorities to enforce safety measures to prevent workplace hazards. The law allows inspectors to prohibit unsafe practices and mandates safety evaluations of ship-recycling yards to ensure worker protection. Despite prior identification of safety risks, the recent incident prompts an examination of the adequacy of preventive measures taken and the enforcement of safety protocols.
Regrettably, this incident is not an isolated occurrence, with over 150 fatalities reported in shipbreaking accidents in Sitakunda since 2014. The economic significance of ship recycling to Bangladesh underscores the need for stringent safety regulations. While the country has made legislative strides, effective enforcement remains crucial to safeguarding workers’ lives.
The incident at Ferdous Steel underscores the urgency for robust safety compliance and effective regulatory coordination among authorities overseeing shipbreaking operations. International legal cases, such as Hamida Begum v Maran (UK) Ltd [2021], emphasize the shared responsibility of all parties involved in ship recycling to ensure worker safety.
Bangladesh’s legal and institutional framework for regulating ship recycling is comprehensive, but the lack of enforcement poses a significant challenge. The recent tragedy raises pertinent questions about the prioritization of safety measures and the accountability of regulatory bodies in preventing workplace fatalities.
As Bangladesh continues its efforts to enhance safety standards in the shipbreaking industry, it is imperative that authorities act swiftly to address known safety risks and uphold worker protection as a top priority.
