“As I was in the process of removing the blockage, it exploded, peeling of the skin on my chest and arms. I shouted for help and my co-workers arrived and poured cold water on me.” (FFDIG web site – a statement from an employee of the Sankung Sillah soap factory)

Why should untrained personnel be allowed to remove a blockage in a chemical facility such as a Soap factory? In a Chemical facility vigorous effort is required to put in place an effective safety program. This is more than just shoes and glasses, earplugs, hats and posters. Such a program requires a mindset, a company wide philosophy, and a practical strategy for-on-the-job safety that is spelled out clearly and emphasized at every level of the organization. A safer workplace results in higher morale, and increased employee productivity. Of course setting a goal of zero incidents is relatively easier than actually achieving it. Nonetheless, it is a goal worthy of any industrial setting to pursue. But what could actually have gone wrong at the soap factory? Let’s do a little bit of engineering here. A blockage can be caused by a control valve failure, inadvertent valve operation, instrument or power failure or other factors. A blockage, for example in a pipeline can cause the pipe’s internal pressure to exceed its MAWP (Maximum allowable working pressure) and eventually creating a time bomb in the pipeline especially when someone tries to open the pipe. One of the factors responsible for an increase in pipe pressure is solid build up. Solid will built up in pipes if the solid is confined long enough to build up pressure, it generates a pressure wave that can cause the fluid to act as a rocket out of the pipe when opened. This may have happened at the soap factory splashing the fluid over the poor helpless operator. Since there may not have been an efficient process control system at the plant for the technicians or engineers (if there are any) to monitor fluid flow in the pipe such disasters are always waiting to occur. With a well-instituted chemical facility, engineers should be able to detect and halt problems that may cause blockages in pipelines, vessels etc. Removal of the blockage is not the solution to the problem at Sankung’s Plant, but instead a thorough investigation should have been conducted to study why there was a blockage in the first place. With that information at hand, the engineers may be able to know when the blockage started, why it happened or who were on duty during that period, if the explosion was operator related. If the blockage was due to an operator problem then the engineers could have find out which procedures were not followed or if an operator had accidentally increased the pipe pressure or fluid flow rate or any other parameter that could have offset the process.

 Let’s not underscore the importance of Sankung’s soap factory in the Gambian economy. Not only does he creates jobs for the Gambian people, but also provides us with some of our daily necessities at a reasonable prize. However, I think they should tighten their belts a little bit more to reduce or if possible eradicate such incidents. Chemical accidents can be catastrophic especially in developing countries like the Gambia. Gambia lacks the resources to evacuate the surrounding areas in the event of an explosion at any of the factories out there in the Kanifing Industrial Zone. For example “Not long ago there was a chemical explosion at a French fertilizer plant in Toulouse killing twenty-nine people, more than 2,500 others were injured and 20,000 residences and businesses were destroyed.” God forbid such a chemical accident in the Gambia but I hope the factories out there will learn from the soap factory accident to avoid future mishaps.

Employer’s should provide a safe work place for their employees and be considerate of their neighbors in the surrounding communities. The owners of the facilities in the Kanifing Industrial zone should understand that they reside in a residential area and that the Gambian people cannot afford a chemical mishap such as an explosion or spill. They should follow proper environmental procedures when disposing of waste from their facilities. They should remember the fundamentals of common sense “great employees goes with great products and eventually great customer satisfaction and shareholder enthusiasm.