BOKARO: Three workers died and three injured when an elevator on which they were working fell on the ground from a height of 29 metres at Electrosteel Plant (ESL) in Bokaro on Monday night. The victims were workers of a private company which was allotted lift replacement job by the company, officials said on Tuesday.
Bokaro Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Chaudhary said that they have convened a meeting of the company officials. “After meeting with ESL’s CEO, we will decide the further course of action.”
ESL management has assured compensation to the kin of deceased. The bodies were received by the family members on Tuesday.
Factory inspector of Bokaro zone, Dhirender Singh Munda began his investigation on Tuesday morning.
The lift on which the incident occurred was non-operational for the past four years. The workers were sent by the private agency roped in to replace the lift. “The six workers reported at ESL on September 25. They were provided two-day safety training,” Munda said.
“The workers were to start work on Tuesday, but on Monday they went to the site to see the lift before starting work. Three of the workers climbed the stairs and reached the top of the lift. As they stood on the lift somehow it fell to the ground. They died while they were on their way to the hospital. Other workers standing on the ground sustained minor injuries,” Munda added.
Mohammad Mahfuz Alam, one of the workers who witnessed the incident, said, “As the deceased reached the top of the lift, its angle broke and the rope skidded down. We sustained minor injuries. We were wearing safety gears.”
The deceased were identified as MD Sultan of Bihar, Shahnawaj Alam and Mohammad Osama of Ranchi. Chandankyari MLA Amar Bauri said, “We demand a high-level inquiry into this."
Shilpi Shukla, head of corporate communication, ESL Steel Limited (Vedanta ESL), said, “The three deceased workers were employees of ThyssenKrupp Elevator Company who met with an unfortunate accident yesterday evening around 7pm while carrying out elevator maintenance work at the plant. We are investigating the incident thoroughly. ESL management will continue to support the family members in every way possible while the matter is being investigated with complete impartiality.”
