{"id":4402,"date":"2025-08-14T17:34:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T17:34:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theirmindia.org\/blog\/?p=4402"},"modified":"2025-12-04T16:31:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T16:31:29","slug":"systemic-risk-exposure-the-sigachi-tragedy-and-indias-industrial-safety-breakdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theirmindia.org\/blog\/systemic-risk-exposure-the-sigachi-tragedy-and-indias-industrial-safety-breakdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Systemic Risk Exposure: The Sigachi Tragedy And India\u2019s Industrial Safety Breakdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Getting<\/a><\/p>\n

Introduction\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The Sigachi Pharmaceutical Industries Manufacturing unit, located in Pashamylaram Industrial Area, is a major producer of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC). The MCC is used as a binder in tablets in various pharmaceutical industries, which is essential for producing a cohesive tablet during compression. On the morning of June 30<\/span>th<\/span> at 09.10 am, a major explosion occurred at one of the manufacturing units, flattening a three-story building. The government confirmed 44 deaths and 34 workers sustained injuries. This accident again brought <\/span>industrial risks<\/b> and\u00a0 safety into the spotlight, where many managements are still compromising on the safety standards, putting the workers’ lives at risk. This article delves into the importance of safety and security audits in industries and <\/span>disaster risk management strategies<\/b>\u00a0 to prevent such incidents\u00a0 in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

An ISO Certified Company<\/b><\/h2>\n

Sigachi Industries has been certified with <\/span>ISO 45001:2018<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>ISO 9001:2015<\/span><\/a> and Sigachi Industries has been <\/span>accredited with prestigious certifications<\/span><\/a> pertaining to medicine manufacturing and exporting to various countries. The ISO 45001:2018 is an international standard that deals with the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). The OHSMS mandates the organisation to sustain employee safety, reduce workplace risks, and create a healthier environment for the workers. The ISO 9001:2015 deals with the Quality Management systems, and it emphasizes a proactive organization-wide approach to managing the risks that emerge in conducting its operations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Examining Lapses in Enforcing Workplace Safety Protocols\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Sigachi <\/span>industrial accident<\/b> has brought many instances of negligence to light through media reports. When the rescue teams arrived at Sigachi Industries, they could not find the display board, which is mandatory to indicate the kind of hazardous chemicals being used in the company’s operations. The above guidelines are made mandatory by the <\/span>Central Pollution Control Board of India<\/span><\/a> for the pharmaceutical industries to display at the main factory gate. In case of any adverse events, the rescue team will be fully prepared to contain the situation. The <\/span>First Information Report<\/span><\/a> (FIR) stated that despite repeated warnings and requests by the Sigachi employees to replace the outdated machinery, the management decided to run the factory without replacing the machines. The police suspect that this also could have led to the blast. <\/span>The Times of India (TOI) news report<\/span><\/a> highlighted\u00a0 that a December 2024 factory inspection report revealed the absence of an inert gas suppression system in panel boards, battery rooms, and UPS setups. The manufacturing unit did not have adequate fire extinguishing appliances, fire-resistant dampers, and heat or smoke detectors inside the factory premises. There was\u00a0 no structured emergency preparedness plan, like a lack of fire exits in factory buildings, and workers were not properly trained to use firefighting equipment. The company did not provide protective gear, such as shoes, gloves, or goggles, to workers who were working in a vulnerable environment. Additionally, the factory buildings have loosely laid electrical wiring, no rubber mats or insulating stands at the panels. Despite finding so many deficiencies in the factory units, no necessary action was taken to rectify them. The management decided to run the manufacturing unit without understanding the level of risk it posed to the workers and to the factory environment, ultimately ending with the biggest industrial disaster, killing 44 employees and injuring many others.<\/span><\/p>\n

ISO Certifications\u00a0 Under Scrutiny<\/b><\/h2>\n

Sigachi Industries is an ISO 45001:2018 certified company. To obtain this certificate, the industry must complete internal and external audits, which involve various <\/span>stages of audit<\/span><\/a> with a comprehensive on-site evaluation. To retain this ISO certification, the industry must complete an annual audit. For recertification, the industry must undergo a series of internal and external audits every three years. Despite having a rigorous evaluation mechanism, how did Sigachi Industries have a lax implementation of a safe working environment for its workers?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Risk management solutions to prevent industrial disasters <\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

India is an emerging global superpower. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the key sectors where India showcases its manufacturing power to the world. Indian Government initiatives like the Make in India initiative tries to attract foreign investment and transform India into a manufacturing hub of the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n