A worker suffered severe burns after material reportedly erupted from a reactor at the Novo Four pharmaceutical plant in Parawada Pharmacity near Visakhapatnam on Thursday, prompting a workers’ union to demand an official inquiry into the incident and alleged safety lapses.
Yellapu Ramu, 48, a helper from Patipalli village in Munagapaka mandal, sustained burns to his eyes and other parts of his body during the ‘B’ shift, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle. The material involved was identified as CSP, or cast sulpher product.
Ramu was initially treated at a local clinic before being shifted to a private hospital in Arilova, Visakhapatnam, on Friday for advanced treatment. The report did not provide details of his current medical condition or the extent of the injuries beyond burns to his eyes and other parts of his body.
The incident was taken up by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). Gani Shetti Satyanarayana, honorary president of the Pharmacity Staff and Workers’ Union, visited the plant on Friday to gather details. He alleged that Ramu received only preliminary medical attention despite the severity of his injuries.
Satyanarayana also alleged that the company attempted to conceal the accident and did not promptly inform district authorities. These claims have been attributed to the union leader and were not independently established in the supplied report.
The union has demanded a thorough investigation and criminal action against the management if responsibility for safety violations is established. It has also called for the company to bear Ramu’s medical expenses, provide adequate compensation and continue paying his full wages until he recovers.
The episode places attention on the safety systems governing pharmaceutical manufacturing units in Parawada Pharmacity, a major industrial cluster near Visakhapatnam. Reactor-based production involves chemical materials, industrial equipment and shift-based operations, making emergency response, worker protection and incident reporting important parts of plant management. The available report, however, does not establish whether any safety protocol was breached or identify the cause of the material eruption.
Satyanarayana said stricter enforcement of safety protocols was needed across pharmaceutical units in the industrial area. He said he would submit a formal complaint to the district collector seeking an official inquiry and action against those responsible.
The next formal step identified in the report is the proposed complaint to the district collector. Further details about any government inspection, regulatory action, the company’s response or Ramu’s medical condition were not available in the supplied report.
