DUSHANBE, January 18, Asia-Plus - Eight persons were killed and at least four others were injured in 11 accidents that took place at industrial enterprises and construction sites in Tajikistan in 2006, Murod Jumayev, head of Tajikistan’s Main Directorate for State Control of Safety of Works Conducted in Industry and Mining, announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on January 17. 

According to him, two fatal accidents reportedly occurred during the construction of the Anzob tunnel.  Two persons were killed and one other was injured in those accidents.     

 “In 2006, the directorate conduction 1,138 inspections that recorded numerous instance of not fulfilling safety devices requirements,” said Jumayev, “67 officials were reprimanded and fined a total of 1,500 somonis ($437).” 

He noted that inspections by the directorate of Dushanbe municipal waterworks (Dushnabevodokanal of DVK), TajikAzot (Sarband-based plant producing mineral fertilizers) and Tajkhimprom (chemical plant in Yovon) revealed that these facilities do not have special rescue teams and do not conduct exercises on safety devices. 

Jumayev added that the directorate plans to project a concept of introduction of the single control over safety of work in industry and mining in the country.   He also proposed to toughen measures for not satisfying the safety devices requirements.   

The directorate head also pointed to the necessity increasing the directorate’s staff.  “At present the directorate has a staff of only 47, including sevens staffers working with the agency’s headquarters in Dushanbe” Jumayev said.