Colombo Dockyard says no interruption to work

The Colombo Dockyard Plc said in a statement yesterday that its shipyard is busy with work despite a minor accident on Friday.

Following is the full statement issued by Colombo Dockyard CEO and Managing Director Mangala Yapa.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that a gas leak (Oxygen) has occurred from a gas cutter left out during the lunch break at around 12.40 hrs on 3 February 2011, which caused a small explosion subsequently. The accident occurred at the Dock No. 1 North pier inside a work shop where steel structures were being prefabricated.

At the time of the incident workers were not engaged in work, but a few of them were resting in the vicinity/adjacent area.

Immediately as the explosion occurred the safety and the fire department of the company responded promptly attended the site. The 14 personnel who sustained minor injuries, shock and temporary hearing loss were promptly treated at the company medical centre manned by a qualified doctor and a trained medical team and were subsequently transferred to the Accident Service of the Colombo National Hospital for further investigation/ treatment. 

All of the treated persons were released within a maximum of 3 hours of the incident as they had not suffered any serious injuries.

All evacuation of the casualties was handled by the Colombo Dockyard fire, rescue and medical teams, who are specially trained to handle any such emergency evacuation or situation. The Police and Navy who are responsible for port security under the ISPS regulations promptly visited the location. The Government Analyst too has been called to conduct his own independent investigations. The Department of Labour is also to conduct its own inquiry into the incident.

As a responsible corporate citizen, the Colombo Dockyard has always given utmost priority to safety, and will conduct its own investigation to identify the root causes in order to take all necessary measures towards preventing a recurrence of any such incidents in the future.

The Company has been focusing on Behavior Based Safety (BBS) practices to further enhance the safety culture of the workers ensuring that these sorts of incidents are avoided all together. The Colombo Dockyard management and the employees have extended their fullest co-operation to the authorities to conduct a free, fair and transparent investigation into this incident.

Currently the shipyard is busy with repairs to two naval vessels, four tankers and one research vessel. One of the first LPG carriers to call for extensive repairs tanker Nanga Parbat owned by Shipping Corporation of India is currently undergoing repairs in the yard as well. The repair work on all these vessels continues without any interruption or hindrance.

We wish to thank all those who expressed concern from many parts of the globe and are sincerely thankful for their support. We would like to recognise the unstinted commitment and professionalism of the company safety, fire, medical and the rescue teams who managed this unfortunate incident in the shortest possible time and minimal injuries demonstrating true excellence and professionalism.”

e shortest possible time and minimal injuries demonstrating true excellence and professionalism.