IT appears that the factory management has never heard the word ‘safety’. I do not blame the eight labourers, working in a thread-manufacturing factory in Sheikhupura, who suffered burn injuries. Three of them were critically injured.

I would like to know whether any inspector of the Punjab government ever visited such factories housing boilers. Many accidents have occurred in the last two years but no plan has been prepared.

This requires special attention of the Punjab chief minister to depute his minister concerned to check when the inspection of the factory’s boiler was last carried out.

Does the owner of the factory maintain the record of calibration of gauges? It is evident that factory owners are least bothered about the safety of workers.

I request the chief minister to inquire into the matter, and if any lapses are found on the part of the factory owner, he must be punished and his licence cancelled so that factory owners’ housing boilers could take remedial measures for the safety of their workers.

Engr R. Riaz Akbar
Wah Cantt

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2014