In an unfortunate incident that unfolded in the Al Jurf industrial area of Ajman, a fuel tank explosion claimed the lives of two individuals and injured three more on Sunday. The victims of this disaster, both the deceased and injured, were of Asian descent.
Details of the Incident
The explosion occurred at a factory where the victims were employees. The Ajman Police received a distress call about the explosion at approximately 11 am on Sunday. Major-General Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, the Commander-in-Chief of Ajman Police, swiftly arrived at the scene to oversee the situation.
According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary police investigations, the workers were engaged in welding works on the fuel tank that exploded. It is believed that during this process, sparks from the welding equipment flew into the tank, causing the fuel inside to ignite and subsequently explode.
Non-Compliance with Safety Requirements
Major-General Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi highlighted that the explosion seemed to be a direct result of non-adherence to safety protocols. The factory, like many other industrial setups, was supposed to adhere to strict safety regulations that dictate specific procedures to be followed during hazardous operations such as welding.
Factories are expected to have comprehensive safety guidelines in place, especially for operations involving flammable materials. Adequate precautions, such as clearing the vicinity of any flammable substances and ensuring that no sparks could inadvertently ignite anything, are considered basic safety measures in such circumstances. It seems that these safety protocols were not strictly followed at this factory.
A Tragic Reminder of the Importance of Industrial Safety
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety regulations and their adherence in industrial environments. Negligence or laxity can lead to catastrophic accidents, endangering lives and causing significant damage. It emphasizes the dire need for thorough safety inspections, regular audits, and rigorous training programs for workers engaged in hazardous operations.
The Ajman Police have launched an investigation into the incident to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the explosion. The findings of this investigation will shed light on the extent of non-compliance with safety regulations and may lead to strict enforcement of these norms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
