Lorry rams liquid oxygen road tanker causing leak

As per TV news channel visuals and reports, today afternoon, a lorry collided with a liquid oxygen carrying tanker causing leakage of liquid oxygen, with white clouds all around. As per visuals, it is found that a few firefighters were spraying the water, whereas most of others were recording the incident in their mobile, standing in the white clouds.

Then, somebody made a statement that it is only oxygen and is not a harmful gas.

As per reports, for about 100 m radius, there was poor visibility for two hours. Vehicles moving in the area were sent back by 500 m as a precautionary measure.

Pure oxygen, though, not combustible, can accelerate combustion. The cryogenic liquid can even cause frost bites. Metals soaked in rich oxygen can catch fire easily. Similarly, persons exposed for long duration above 35% oxygen concentration can suffer lung damage and eye damage.

As per some recommendations (I remember Indian Chemical Manufacturers' Association - ICMA), in case of any accident, the vehicle is to be taken aside, and initially, about 300 m radius is to be cordoned to prevent persons approach.

It is very dangerous, the way, persons are seen moving around.

A document on fire hazards of oxygen and enriched oxygen atmospheres by Asia Industrial Gases Association, Singapore HERE can help persons ignorant of oxygen hazards, who think that oxygen is a safe gas.

Persons die during tank sludge cleaning

As per reports, totally, nine persons died and another is injured in a work involving cleaning of sludge from an oil tank. Initially, four persons who entered for the work did not respond for few hours and three more entered to know about them.
Due to inhalation of toxic gases, persons died, as per reports.

Normally, when such works are to be carried out in confined spaces like oil tankers, closed vessels, equipment, etc, oxygen levels are to be measured and action to be taken to exhaust poisonous gases and admit air to keep oxygen levels as in the open atmosphere. Continuous exhaust is to be maintained. Where, it is not possible, they have to enter with compressed air cylinders on their back, connected to the face piece respirator. Further, there should be buddy system, i.e. for every one worker inside, there should be an equally capable person outside with safety belt extended rope in the hands of person outside; and to engage in constant communication, so that in case of any emergency, immediate rescue operations can be made.

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/maharashtra-seven-workers-die-inhaling-poisonous-gas-in-latur-district-4499670/

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/7-workers-die-of-suffocation-in-latur-oil-mills-chemical-tank/articleshow/56881624.cms

Menu cards in hotels are dirtier than the toilet covers, says study

As per a study carried out, menu cards in hotels are found to have more bacteria than toilet seat covers. Earlier, we came to know about such filthy things like, key boards of computers, cell phone, etc having more harmful bacteria. Now, menu cards too joined the list. Full article may be read here.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/menu-cards-are-100-times-dirtier-than-toilet-covers/articleshow/56883531.cms

The EPA’s Latest Chemical Plant Safety Rules: They Sound Good, But…

The EPA’s Latest Chemical Plant Safety Rules: They Sound Good, But…

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Statistics on toxic gas inhalation deaths in India

Chemical accidents:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/mp-ranks-highest-in-industrial-toxic-gas-deaths/story-MdcQKYG9mApn73wJ53K9TP.html

Road accidents in India - a report from NDTV site

The report is available from the following link:

http://sites.ndtv.com/roadsafety/dangerous-indias-roads-2110/