The Sindh High Court on Friday ordered authorities of provincial departments, law enforcement agencies and private bodies working for the welfare of labor, fishermen and others to submit their detailed reports on enforcement of essential prerequisites pertaining to safety of various buildings. A division bench, headed by Justice Maqbool Baqir, also called reports regarding progress on investigation into the Baldia Town factory tragedy from various departments including Police, Sindh Labor Department, Ministry of Industries, SITE, KMC, Fire Department and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board.
The bench issued notice to the Sindh Industrial Trading Estate, all Cantonment Boards of Karachi, Karachi Port Trust, KMC, KWSB, Civil Defense Authority, Director Labor, Industries Ministry, Pakistan Engineering Council, Pakistan Standard Institute/Authority, Director General and the secretary of Health Department, Sindh Home Department, Sindh IG, Karachi commissioner, social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, PILER, Institute of Architects, Docks Labor Board, SESSI, EOBI, NGO Shehri as well as Sindh advocate general and deputy attorney general.
The SHC directed them to also submit in detail their duties and functions regarding safety, security and live saving efforts/measures, various rules and regulations and codes.
They were also directed to explain under what law were they obliged and competent to carry out and enforce such provisions.
In its order, the SHC bench said the reports shall clearly and distinctly reveal as to what extent such obligations had been fulfilled and shall explains reasons for non-fulfillment of all such measures/duties, which had not been fulfilled or complied with either wholly or in part.
The bench said such shall be done keeping in view the position that there were various building rules, regulations and codes for various areas and various structures and provisions such as relating to proper ventilation.
The bench observed that perhaps it was also prescribed as to how much area was required for specific number of workforce in various category of industries/units, as to where under what circumstances and with what precautionary measures, various items/material were to be stored. There were certain specific requirements for electrical fitting, fitment and installation for various kinds of buildings, industries, factories and plants, specific fire fighting system also prescribed for various kinds of buildings, factories and plants.
The SHC noted it was also prescribed that various drills/exercises were to be carried out periodically for prevention/control of fire/arson and other emergencies.
It also sought explain on what mechanism for coordination between various departments, including fire fighting departments in city and adequate provisions, facilities, entrance, for filling/refilling fire tenders in different areas.
The court said the reports should also explain what standby arrangements were in place for evacuation of victims of any accident, trauma or terrorism and whether there was adequate facility to provide emergency medical treatment on the spot, availability of oxygen cylinders.
The SHC also instructed that the reports should mention whether inspector or other officers were designated and deputed for periodical examination and inspect in order to verify availability of essential prerequisites and facilities at various places.
The bench directed authorities of the Sindh Labor Department, SESSI and EOBI to explain whether they had ensured registration of industrial, other workers whether their authenticity and correctness was verified or not.
SESSI was directed to submit detailed report as to in what manner the funds available with them were being utilized. Other public functionaries were directed to submit reports regarding provision of adequate health, sanitation at commercial buildings and whether officers posted for such purpose were qualified or not.
The SHC also issued notices to Pakistan Labor Federation, Citizens-Police Liaison Committee, Institute of Architects and Engineers and Pakistan Medical Association.
Meanwhile, the court issued notice to advocates Abdur Rehman and Faisal Siddiqui asking them to assist the court, if they were available.
Petitioner Agha Syed Attaullah Shah, Rah-e-Raast Trust chairman, had moved court alleging government departments, including the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, Industries Department, Labor Department and Sindh Building Control Authority failed to implement laws regarding availability of facilities to cope with emergency situations at commercial buildings, including industries, factories, residential flats, hospitals, educational institutes, etc.
He requested the court to direct government departments concerned to furnish a list of all such commercial buildings constructed without ensuring availability of adequate arrangements of emergency exit-gates, emergency stairs, fire alarms and fire extinguishers.
dear,
its very good that SHC looking the matter but its very important that we are following the international roles HEALTH SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE). have ordnance from american and British government and also implanted in all over The Gulf where our thousands of people worker here but the accident rate is 10%.but in our country the accident rate is 90%. so we need a law related to HSE also see the. OSHA act in amrica.
Comments are closed.