...On December 3, 1984 the residents of a Bhopal, India awoke to a toxic cloud of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas that had been discharged from the near-by Union Carbida India Limited plant. The deadly cloud infiltrated hundreds of shanties and huts as it slowly drifted in the cool night awaking sleeping residents to coughing, choking, and stinging eyes. By dawn the cloud had cleared and many were dead or injured. Reports of the incident were slow to reach America. Union Carbide, a U.S. corporation that owns 51% of the plant, based in Danbury Connecticut, was in the dark for many days. Union Carbide made front page across the country for months and is still considered the worst industrial disaster in the history of the planet. The official Indian government panel charged with tabulating deaths and injuries updated the count to more than 3,800 dead and approximately 11,000 with disabilities (Browning, 1). The chemical that was released, methyl isocyanate (MIC), is an ester of isocyanic acid (HNCO). It is highly volatile and inflammable and is easily produced and stored at room temperature. MIC, with phosgene as one of the substances used to manufacture it, creates immediate irritation, chest pain, breathlessness, and can trigger severe asthma. If the exposure is high, as in Bhopal, it leads to severe bacterial and oesinophihc pneumonia, tumour or laryngeal edema and massive cardiac arrest. The real problem, however, is that it sensitizes the skin and even a mild exposure proves lethal...
Words: 1933 - Pages: 8
...BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY: NEGLIGENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT. “Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) vs. Union Of India (UOI)” case took place in 1987. The main legal principle used in the judgement of this case was Section 304 A, that talks about negligence and death caused by negligence. It wasn’t just UCC’s fault, but also the government’s, however, I would like to throw more emphasis on the negligence on the government’s part . The government acted irresponsibly in many ways. Firstly, the government prevented any external court from interfering in the case. Then it took the case to the U.S district court. by doing so government received harsh criticism, mainly on the grounds of “forum shopping” looking for the “best deals”. However, when the case was taken up in the U.S district court, Judge Keenan dismissed the case on the grounds of forum non conveniens (forum not agreeing). This further adversely affected the case. Finally the case was heard in the High Court of Madhya Pradesh. The result was that the victims not only received the compensation at a much later date but also received a meagre amount. The reason UCC was blamed was that due to lack of safety measure water trickled into MIC storage tank. This resulted in an exothermic reaction which in turn increased the pressure and lead to the leakage of the gas. On comparing the UCIL plant with UCC subsidiaries elsewhere, it was found that UCIL had adopted poorer safety measures. This again puts the blame back on the government...
Words: 305 - Pages: 2
...BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY CASE BET Submitted By Sameer Narula(191169) FMG19C Email: sameernarula@foreian.com Submission Date: 24/01/11 Question: How will you address the issues raised in the case? Answer: There are few things according to me that need to be done to address the issues: 1. Since it is given that the design team informed the management in a very informal way, it is important that they do so in a formal, written format like in a report. They must give the management the exact details and specifications regarding the norms and the existing conditions as well as the number of employees working in the factory and how are they going to get effected if a tragedy happens. The management also needs to be realised about their responsibility towards their employees as well as the impact of an accident, if any on the employees, the people living nearby and their families. It is important that they understand that human asset is the most valuable asset and it cannot be valued in terms of money, hence citing economic reasons is baseless. 2. If the management still doesn’t take any immediate action then it is the duty of me as the member of the design team and as a human being above all to inform the human rights body and the labour rights body in India regarding this and to seek their support to take appropriate measures to counter the problem. Question: Do you think that the action taken was morally acceptable on the part of the company to adopt...
Words: 375 - Pages: 2
...Bhopal disaster Co o r din at es: 2 3 °1 6 ′ 5 1 ″ N 7 7 °2 4 ′ 3 8 ″ E From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Bhopal dis as te r (commonly referred to as Bhopal gas trage dy) was a gas leak incident in India, considered one of the world's worst industrial catastrophes.[1] It occurred on the night of December 2–3, 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. A leak of methyl isocyanate gas and other chemicals from the plant resulted in the exposure of hundreds of thousands of people. The toxic substance made its way in and around the shantytowns located near the plant.[2] Estimates vary on the death toll. The official immediate death toll was 2,259 and the government of Madhya Pradesh has confirmed a total of 3,787 deaths related to the gas release.[3] Others estimate 3,000 died within weeks and another 8,000 have since died from gas- related diseases.[4][5] A government affidavit in 2006 stated the leak caused 558,125 injuries including 38,478 temporary partial and approximately 3,900 severely and permanently disabling injuries.[6] UCIL was the Indian subsidiary of Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), with Indian Government controlled banks and the Indian public holding a 49.1 percent stake. In 1994, the Supreme Court of India allowed UCC to sell its 50.9 percent share. Union Carbide sold UCIL, the Bhopal plant operator, to Eveready Industries India Limited in 1994. The Bhopal plant was later sold to McLeod...
Words: 14829 - Pages: 60
...Values, Ethics and Business Decisions International MBA - Antai College of Economics & Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Oct 2011 Corporate Social Responsibility: The Bhopal Gas Tragedy Five Past Midnight in Bhopal What happened on the night of December 2nd-3rd 1984 in Bhopal? A Tragedy Water enters IC storage tank 610. The refrigeration unit, which should have kept the MIC close to 0°Celsius, is shut off. The water triggers off an exothermic runaway reaction and consequently the release of the lethal gas mixture, a poisonous cloud of MIC, hydrogen cyanide, monomethylamine, carbon monoxide and possibly 20 other chemicals. The cloud of gas envelops the city like an arc of over 20 square kms before the residents could run away. No stock of antidote is available. The composition of the poisonous cloud is not known. Up to 10,000 people may have died. The Causes What are the causes of this tragedy? Viewed from the Context Overconfidence in the production technology, leading to the choice of a dangerous process; Overcapacity of the plant, leading to excess storage of a dangerous product; Bad economic performance, leading to disinterest and disinvestment; Bad management, leading to dangerous cost reductions; Insufficient safety training and standards, leading to unskilled behaviour. Economy Industry Company Plant Team Human act Causal Chain With such a causal...
Words: 789 - Pages: 4
...On the night December 3rd, one of the worst industrial accidents in history occurred in Bhopal, India. A gas leak spread throughout the streets of Bhopal and devastated all of the inhabitants in the area; at least 3800 of the residents were immediately killed. The gas that leaked was known as methyl isocyanate (MIC). An estimate of forty tons of the gas was leaked. The death toll quickly rose to the tens of thousands in the following days. The total count of people affected is close to half million people. Many questions arose from this incident, such as how and why it happened and how it could avoided. The Indian government had hopes in industrializing the nation. The Indian government implemented policies that would attract foreign companies to invest in local industry. One of the companies that invested was a large chemical producing company called the Union Carbide Corporation (UCC). The company built a plant that produced a commonly used pesticide, Sevin, in Bhopal. The...
Words: 1616 - Pages: 7
...resource. It was in the 19th and 20th centuries that the concept of the company obligation to protect the workers really evolved from abuses of workers during the great depression, and the rise of organized labor. Consequently changes in the safety health field are often motivated by great tragedies that focus public attention on risks in the workplace. The Goals of this unit: * Identify the historic trends in industrial safety * Identify events that have impacted industrial safety To complete this unit you must 1. Read the chapter in the book 2. Review the PowerPoint slides 3. Look into the Bhopal accident using the video and searching the Internet to answer the following under the "Assignment tab" for : Session 2: History of Safety. 1. How many died as a result of the accident? 2. What has been the long term effects of the accident on residents 3. Look at the total number of injuries and deaths over for any 2 years on the BLS web site for (Take a look at data from Osha) Use the BLS link to find the data tutorials for: * Manufacturing * Construction * Mining * Agriculture en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_disaster Bhopal disaster From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search | The neutrality of this article is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do...
Words: 14078 - Pages: 57
...------------------------------------------------- Bhopal Disaster Understanding its impact on Organizational Behavior December 7, 2014 Bhaskardeb Maitra 2201 192nd ST SE #L4, Bothell, WA 98012 December 7, 2014 Bhaskardeb Maitra 2201 192nd ST SE #L4, Bothell, WA 98012 Introduction The industrial catastrophe that occurred on the midnight of December 2, 1984 at Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant in Bhopal, India was the worst industrial accident in the world. The official count was around 3000 deaths, but unofficial estimates are around 8000 – 10000 deaths (Bogart, 1989). Since then, a report in NY Times indicates the death toll has reached a high of 14,410 due to the chronic diseases caused by the gas leakage (NYT, 08/02/2002) Chemical industry officials are particularly disturbed that in an accident such as Bhopal could occur in what is reported to be the safest manufacturing industry in the United States. The tragedy stimulated moves in the United States that will change the handling and production of toxic chemicals as well as the dissemination of information on potential hazards and safety precautions for toxic and hazardous substances to the public. Key questions to understand how this disaster impacts on organizational behavior During this analysis, I will try to make an attempt to understand the following key questions - probable impact on organization behavior: 1. This disaster itself and the way in which the aftermath of it are being handled...
Words: 542 - Pages: 3
...Bhopal disaster From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Bhopal memorial for those killed and disabled by the 1984 toxic gas release The Bhopal disaster also known as Bhopal Gas Tragedy was one of the world's worst industrial catastrophes. It occurred on the night of December 2–3, 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. A leak of methyl isocyanate gas and other chemicals from the plant resulted in the exposure of hundreds of thousands of people. Estimates vary on the death toll. The official immediate death toll was 2,259 and the government of Madhya Pradesh has confirmed a total of 3,787 deaths related to the gas release.[1] Others estimate 3,000 died within weeks and another 8,000 have since died from gas-related diseases.[2][3] A government affidavit in 2006 stated the leak caused 558,125 injuries including 38,478 temporary partial and approximately 3,900 severely and permanently disabling injuries.[4] UCIL was the Indian subsidiary of Union Carbide Corporation (UCC). Indian Government controlled banks and the Indian public held 49.1 percent ownership share. In 1994, the Supreme Court of India allowed UCC to sell its 50.9 percent share. Union Carbide sold UCIL, the Bhopal plant operator, to Eveready Industries India Limited in 1994. The Bhopal plant was later sold to McLeod Russel (India) Ltd. Dow Chemical Company purchased UCC in 2001. Civil and criminal cases are pending in the United...
Words: 6682 - Pages: 27
...personal liberty except by the procedure established by law”. Prima facie the Article seems to be very concise but through various precedents and judicial dictions the Indian judiciary has recognized various facets pertaining to the article. The article briefly explains the duty of State to provide safe and healthy environment to its citizens as the part of Directive Principle of State Policy provided under Article 36-51 of the Indian Constitution. This paper seeks to marginalize the relation between human rights and Environmental protection by seeking the relation between environment and its effect on human life. The paper also adjudicates the same on the basis of legal dictions given on the same in famous precedents like M.C.Mehta case, Bhopal Gas Tragedy and the recent developments in the sphere through formulation of National Green Tribunal, Western Ghaats Environment and Ecology Panel. It also discuses India’s stand in the Global scenario in recognizing right to safe environment as the basic human rights through treaties and...
Words: 4944 - Pages: 20
...Corporate Social Responsibility – Issues and Challenges with reference to Bhopal city. Ms Charu Modi Ms Ankita Rajdev Ms Meenal Pathak Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Assistant Professor JSSGIW – FOM JSSGIW – FOM JSSGIW – FOM 08871312197 09893299224 09989773177 Abstract Corporate Social Responsibility is the term used to define organisation’s commitment to the society and the environment within which it operates. Corporate initiative to assess and take responsibility for the company’s effects on the environment and impact on social welfare. The term generally applies to company efforts that go beyond what may be required by regulators or environmental protection groups. Stakeholders like employees, community, suppliers and shareholders, today are redefining the role of corporate taking into account the corporate’ broader responsibility towards society and environment, beyond economic performance, and are evaluating whether they are conducting their role in an ethical and socially responsible manner. As a result of this shift many forums, institutions and corporate are endorsing the term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In Bhopal companies like BHEL and Crompton and Greaves etc are practicing the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). But still there are many companies that are lacking behind in CSR practices. A lack of understanding, inadequately trained personnel, non availability of authentic data and specific...
Words: 2181 - Pages: 9
...| | |Bhopal Gas Tragedy | |A review | | | | | | | |Abstract: - Multiple perspectives are particularly appropriate for risk analysis. The Bhopal chemical accident of December 2-3, | |1984, is viewed here using this concept. The preceding paper has described the events surrounding the catastrophic leak | |of methyl isocyanate at the Union Carbide plant; it is considered a technical perspective on the accident. | Risk Analysis Physical hazards have always been a feature of life. In man’s early days there were natural hazards such as earthquakes, weather, and other living organisms (microbes, animals...
Words: 3079 - Pages: 13
...INDIVIDUAL CASE PART 1 CASE TITLE: UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION AND BHOPAL Case Summary This case tells the story of poor decisions and lacking competencies of the people working with the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India. On December 3, 1984 there was a chemical leak at the plant that clouded over a nearby town causing thousands upon thousands of deaths and injuries. The chemical was methyl isocyanate (CH3NCO) that was used as a chemical in manufacturing pesticides, when mixed with water this chemical can become lethal. There was an investigation done and it was determined that the leak was an act of sabotage by a disgruntled employee. The Indian government, along with victims of the chemical leak, went after Union Carbide with lawsuits. In 1989 a settlement was reached and Union Carbide paid $470 million to the Indian government that they were to distribute among the victims. 1.a) Issues Identified Improper staffing – After a down turn in the Indian economy, UCIL decreased the amount of training and the MIC unit operated with half the number of workers the design called for. Negligent safety concerns – Union Carbide Corporation only completed two safety audits at the Bhopal plant. The supervisor at the plant had delayed reaction time to the leak. Also, many of the backup safety devises were down for maintenance. Lack of communication – The workers were not completely informed of the gas stored in the tank. Also, the nearby community was not informed of...
Words: 850 - Pages: 4
...1. Based on my opinion , Union Carbide company was owing its first loyalty and moral responsibility of the financial interests to the local community and its employees rather than its owners. Firstly, Union Carbide are behavior as an egoism under these scenario , which means they are naturally selfish and focusing on their own self-interest as “number one “ without caring about the resident in Bhopal. As a responsible company should always place the safety at the main priority no matter how worst the company’s sales are. Since the pesticide’s sales are going down, the company is trying to cut down the security measures spending to maintain the cost. Egoism contends that an act is morally right if and only if Union Carbide best promotes an organization long-term interests. Besides, set up an industrial chemical factory at the area of surrounded by thousands of residents is not a good ideal. These companies take advantage of some developing countries to obtain greater economic benefits keen to attract foreign investment, emphasis on technology and equipment, ignoring safety and environmental protection. Some countries do not allow the establishment of industry almost transferred to developing countries(Karl E. Weick 2010). Secondly, Kant believed that morality in human life should be grounded in reason. As using his Categorical Imperative we should act only according to maxims that they would be willing to see become universal norms, and people should never be treated as a means...
Words: 787 - Pages: 4
...The reason for writing this letter is to notify our community of the possible health risks established by the local gas company practices. The decision made to write this letter is to inform my much-loved community of people that may have been affected by this sudden break out of illnesses in the area and to spread the word of awareness to this situation to everyone else that might not be aware of this problem. After an extensive investigation I have come to the conclusion that we are in danger of health problems due to improper practices by the gas company within our community some years ago. Moving into this community a couple years ago was the best thing that happened to my family for it was home and felt like home. We have met some of the greatest neighbors and my children attend some of the best knitted schools in the community. My daily commute to and from work has been painless and I have really been able to save more money than usual; due to rising gas prices. Prior to me moving in, I was extremely anxious to move into such a new community that just so happen to be in a suburban area. With the city fairly close to us and shopping centers not more than two miles away is another factor that I have grown to love. Overall, this newly developed community has impacted my family lives for the better. A few weeks ago the local news was covering the latest breakthrough of illnesses impacting the families that stay in our community. After tuning in to this coverage my instinct kicked...
Words: 797 - Pages: 4
