PHETCHABURI, 4 June 2013 (NNT) – The safety protocol at all rock grinding plants in the country will be inspected during the current rainy season, after 3 workers were killed by a landslide at a quarry in Phetchaburi province.
Large boulders had fallen onto the compound of Phetsamut crushing plant in Nong Chumphonnua sub-district, Khao Yoi district, Phetchaburi province, smashing a total of 6 vehicles that included trucks and backhoes. 3 workers at the plant were killed by the crushing boulders, and another 4 were injured and sent to hospital, said a witness.
According to the witness, the huge rocks and earth came crashing down from a cliff roughly 20 stories high, onto the work site below.
Wichai Laowanitwisit, the owner of the plant, offered his condolences to the deceased and said he would care for the wounded and the families of the deceased as best as he possibly could.
Phetchaburi governor Monthien Thongnit immediately declared the site a hazardous area, and the nearby areas as disaster-hit zones. He also ordered work at the plant suspended for 30 days to facilitate investigation into the cause of the tragic incident. The crushing plant will also have to come up with a safety plan to prevent a recurrence.
Meanwhile, Industry Ministry Permanent-Secretary Withun Simachokdi has ordered officials to inspect 5-6 crushing plants and quarries in Saraburi, Chiang Rai, and Yala that are located on high grounds, to determine whether they are also at risk of such disaster. If safety is not assured, the plants will be told to cease rock explosions during the rainy season.
