Rustam Minnikhanov: Issues of industrial safety must be a priority

On 4 April, speaking at a regular regional meeting in the Government House of the republic, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov stated that the republic is one of the industrially developed regions of the country and that is why issues of ensuring production safety must be a priority.

“Because of an emergency which took place while eliminating the consequences of the depressurization and the gas mixture ignition, followed by a fire at the installation at the Nizhnekamskneftekhim plant on 31 March there were workers of the plant, sub-contracting organizations and fire rescuers who were injured. Unfortunately, there are casualties. First of all I would like to express my condolences to families and relatives of workers and a fire protection worker who died in the explosion. We mourn with you. A three-day mourning period has been declared in Nizhnekamsk,” he said and informed that the enterprise and local self-government bodies will provide all necessary help and support to the injured and relatives of those who died. “Emergency rescue operations are currently ongoing at the plant. In order to coordinate the actions of management bodies and forces in eliminating the consequences of the accident, a state of emergency has been introduced at the enterprise,” Rustam Minnikhanov said and noted the well-coordinated work of emergency services, the administration of Nizhnekamsk and the management of the enterprise.

“Industrial accidents are, first and foremost, a threat to the lives and health of our people. Issues of industrial safety must be a priority. And there are no trifles in this work. The SIBUR has a very strict safety system. Nevertheless we are prone to man-made hazards.  In addition to sabotage and enemy raids, there is sometimes our carelessness or irresponsibility, which can be very dangerous. Therefore, special attention must be paid to these issues,” he concluded.