Minister of Industry Went to the area to follow up on the incident of a tank fire explosion. Storing pyrolysis substances, gasoline, a subsidiary of SCG Group In the Map Ta Phut Industrial Port, Rayong Province, compensation was sought for one dead person and a total of five injured, including company employees and firefighting teams, apologizing to the public and ordering an urgent investigation into the cause. Ready to put in place strict measures to surround the enclosure. Prevent repeated incidents, ensure water and air quality are within normal limits. SCG CEO reveals Before the incident, 4 or more employees were measuring the amount of substances in the tank. There was a cloud of smoke before the explosion exploded until they fell to death or injury. The Prime Minister ordered people to be closely monitored, emphasizing that factories strictly comply with regulations. Increase firefighting standards to reduce losses from shocking events. There was an explosion and fire in a pyrolysis gas storage tank inside Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal Company Limited, a subsidiary of SCG Group. In the Map Ta Phut Industrial Port, Map Ta Phut Subdistrict, Mueang Rayong District, late on May 9, there was one employee dead and three injured. Firefighters had difficulty. Because the inside of the tank is filled with substances that are good fuels. There was a plume of black smoke rising up into the sky. It was carried by the wind towards the community so that employees in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate and more than 400 villagers in the area had to be evacuated to a temporary shelter. It took more than 6 hours and the fire was finally brought under control that same evening. at the emergency response command center Map Ta Phut Municipality, Mueang Rayong District, at 8:30 p.m. on January 9, Mr. Kanchai Thepworachai, Deputy Governor of Rayong Province, Mr. Kanapot Khunthong, Deputy Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand. (Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand.) Mr. Atthaya Nuanuthai, Head of the Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Rayong Province, Mr. Thammasak Settaudom, President of The Siam Cement Public Company Limited or SCG, along with executives of Map Ta Phut Tang Company. Kk Terminal Co., Ltd. and related agencies Attending a press conference about the explosion and fire that occurred, Mr. Thammasak said that the tank where the fire occurred was being closed for maintenance. The incident occurred at 10:45 a.m. with 4 or more employees measuring the amount of Sinai Plus. It is a solvent with a storage capacity of 8,000 cubic feet. It appeared that a cloud of smoke rose and then an explosion occurred. It is not yet known what the cause is. All I know is that there was a fire. The force of the explosion caused all 4 employees to fall from a height and be scalded, causing 1 death and 3 injuries. In addition, 2 firefighters were injured while extinguishing the fire. During the fire, the company took action to suppress it. The reason for the procedure is to cut off all valves before using both water and fire extinguishing foam. The fire was able to be extinguished at 12.30, but the fire tank still had accumulated heat, causing the fire to erupt again around 13.00. It was not until 6.00 p.m. that the fire was controlled. Can calm down The fire damaged only 1 tank. The temperature at the tank is checked every hour to prevent further fires. The temperature is 47-50 degrees Celsius, considered to be back to almost normal. There will be surveillance until it is sure that it is safe and then all the substances in the tank will be pulled out. The CEO of SCG Company further revealed that I would like to express my condolences to the family of the deceased. The company will take full care and compensation. In particular, the children of the deceased will be sent to study until they complete their degrees. As for the injured, both employees and firefighters will take full responsibility. The company regrets the incident. An investigation will be carried out to determine the exact cause. As for the people who were evacuated to the Map Ta Phut Pan Pittayakhan School shelter. Have they been screened to see if there are affected people or not? After the power went out, they all went home. and the evacuation center has been closed. After this, prepare to send a medical unit to the area to check the health of villagers in nearby communities at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate Office, Mueang Rayong District, at 10:00 a.m. on May 10, Ms. Pimpattra Wichaikul. Minister of Industry Traveling to listen to an explanation of the fire that occurred, there were Mr. Traipop Wongtrairat, Governor of Rayong Province, Mr. Kamthorn Wehan, Deputy Governor of Rayong Province, Mr. Anusorn Saengkla, Governor of Muang Rayong Province, Mr. Weris Amrapal, Governor. The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand. Mr. Thammasak Settaudom, Managing Director of SCG Company During the welcome, Mr. Surin Silparat, Chairman of the Village Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Volunteers, Rayong Province. Along with members submitting letters to have the cause of the fire honestly investigated. Because in the past there had been an incident once in 2021, causing the death of three people, we want every sector to put in place measures to prevent the incident from happening again. Including the matter of providing quick relief to affected people. After accepting the matter Ms. Pimpattra Attending a meeting with stakeholders in the meeting room, Mr. Traiphop Wongtrairat, Governor of Rayong Province, said that after inspecting until it was clear that the fire was completely extinguished. The province announced the cancellation of disaster affected areas in the Nong Fab community. Takuan-Ao Pradu But there are still officials closely monitoring and assisting Ms. Pimpattra Wichaikul, Minister of Industry. Gave an interview after the meeting that First of all, I would like to apologize to the people surrounding the area and the people of Rayong. And thank you to all sectors that came to help until we were able to follow the measures we had set out. is to return the area as quickly as possible Most importantly, it is about the people who are affected by the disaster. Including the deceased and the injured The company is ready to provide compensation and assistance to the utmost. The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand and the provinces are ready to help. As for the management method, it will take time to determine what the cause is. It must be given time to work for noticeable results. Preventing a recurrence requires stricter measures. From inspection of the area after the fire was extinguished The fire destroyed only one gasoline storage tank. The NPC team still has personnel on standby, including the use of heat-detection drones. and sprayed coolant water throughout. Mr. Thammasak Settaudom, Managing Director of SCG Company, said that at the time of the incident there were 4 or more employees checking the level of the substance inside the tank. It’s not like going up to close the tank valve as there’s news. However, the company is sorry and takes responsibility for what happened. As for the cause of the fire, it will probably take time to investigate. Minister of Industry along with a group traveling to the area to see the fire scene in a pyrolysis gas storage tank inside Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal Company Limited, Map Ta Phut Industrial Port. Even though the fire was completely extinguished, there was still a pungent smell of burning substances permeating the area. There are still firefighters on watch. before visiting the villagers at the Takuan-Ao Pradu Community Multi-Purpose Hall. There were public health officials who came to check on the villagers in the community affected by the toxic smoke. Ms. Pimpattra said Now the situation has returned to normal. The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand and the company were able to control the fire completely. But also injected with cooling foam to control the temperature from hot weather conditions. Caring for people in the surrounding area Coordinated with the main office National Health Insurance (NHSO) and Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University Send a medical team to take care of the health and inspect the people at the Takuan-Ao Pradu Community Multipurpose Pavilion. For measuring water quality in communities around the area By mobile vehicle from the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate Office (I.E.) at 2 points: Khlong Chak Mak and the company area. Thai Plastic Chemicals It was found that the water quality was within standard criteria. As for the results of air quality measurement at 3 points, namely the Takuan Health Station inspection point Nong Suea Kuek Station Checkpoint and Map Ta Phut Municipality Station checkpoint It is within normal limits. The Minister of Industry revealed that in the case of 5 injuries and 1 death, the company confirmed that it would provide full care and compensation. In particular, the deceased knew that his hometown was in Chiang Rai Province. His wife worked at a department store and had one child. He also gave personal financial assistance to the families of the deceased and those injured in the incident. In addition, it was emphasized The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand is to supervise business operations in industrial estate areas. and industrial ports more strictly and tightly In addition, they must supervise compliance with the rules and regulations. The Factory Act was seriously amended by Mr. Weris Amrapal, Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand. Said that the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand will urgently analyze and analyze the cause of the incident. Establish safety measures to prevent recurrence. Must be certified by an external agency that certifies security (Third Party) as well as clarify guidelines and relief measures for those affected. However, every industrial estate has been instructed to increase the stringency of internal security measures. area According to production process safety management (PSM) standards to build confidence for business operators. and the people surrounding the industrial estate so that the industrial sector can coexist sustainably with the community. At Rayong Hospital at 3:00 p.m., his wife and family came to pick up the body of Mr. Nopporn Rueanma, 34 years old, a company employee who died from the explosion. and the fire that occurred The atmosphere was filled with sadness. Relatives declined to be interviewed. before taking the body into a van belonging to the Sawangporn Kuson Rayong Foundation Returning to make merit in his hometown in Phan District, Chiang Rai Province at Government House, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin revealed that even though the fire had been extinguished, he had ordered Give relief to the people Ms. Pimpattra Wichaikul, Minister of Industry Taking care of the people closely, the private sector, namely Siam Cement Group Public Company Limited, is responsible for providing relief to all victims. As for disasters where a state of emergency has been declared, it has been cancelled. Because the power was already extinguished, when asked how to prevent it due to the hot weather, resulting in more frequent fire incidents, Mr. Settha said. Emphasis has been placed on every sector to have Prevention and deterrence require factories to strictly comply with regulations. In addition, fire control must have fire extinguishing management standards, such as having a practice to extinguish the fire beforehand to be more concentrated in preparation. In order to reduce the impact that will occur on various factories and people living in the surrounding area, Mr. Pairoj Chotikasathien, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labor, said that this case is a work-related hazard. Employees who die, their heirs have the right to receive rights. Benefits from the Compensation Fund include funeral expenses, paid to the funeral director at 50,000 baht each, death compensation for a period of 120 months, paid monthly, 14,000 baht per month, totaling 1,680,000 baht, old-age pension. 110,039.50 baht (excluding interest) total received 1,840,039.50 baht for the injured employee Have the right to receive money from the compensation fund It is medical treatment as much as is actually paid as necessary. But not more than the rate specified by law. Compensation in case of time off is 70% of monthly wages. Not more than a period of 1 year. Ms. Amon Siangyai, Director-General of the Department of Rights and Liberties, Ministry of Justice, said that the Rayong Provincial Justice Office went to the area and informed them of their rights to receive compensation according to Act on Compensation for Victims and Compensation and Expenses for Defendants in Criminal Cases, B.E. 2001 and its amendments. In the case of death, you have the right Has been healed at 110,000 baht, which is the compensation of death in the death of 50,000 baht. The funeral cost is 20,000 baht. The lack of support is 40,000 baht and other damages of 40,000 baht. Have the right to receive compensation, including medical expenses not exceeding 40,000 baht, rehabilitation expenses not exceeding 20,000 baht, and loss of income earned. according to minimum wage In the area of the province where the work has been conducted for no more than 1 year and compensation for other damages not exceeding 50,000 baht, Mr. Akradet Wongpitakroj Chairman of the Industrial Commission The House of Representatives said that during this period there were frequent factory fires. It was noted that the efficiency or readiness of the fire department must be reviewed or improved. From many events that have occurred, it is seen that the fire department is still not ready. This causes obstacles in terms of equipment, chemicals, personnel, budget, and emergency response plans. As a result, fire control takes longer than it should. Affecting people and the environment It is a matter that administrators must urgently improve. On May 15th, the Industrial Committee has invited agencies involved in firefighting. Industrial factories come to discuss this issue. Read All “Thairath newspaper columns” here
