18-year-old worker dies after falling into mixer at Panvel RMC plant

Manish Kumar Baharan Yadav, the deceased. Pic/By Special Arrangement

An 18-year-old worker died after falling into a mixer machine while working at a Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) plant in Arivali, Panvel, on August 16. The incident led to the registration of an FIR against the mixer operator, with police probing whether negligence and inadequate safety precautions resulted in the fatal accident.

The deceased has been identified as Manish Kumar Baharan Yadav, a native of Gopalganj in Bihar. The incident took place at around 5 pm at the RMC plant operated by Krishna Kala Developers.

An investigating officer told mid-day, "Manish was working at the plant when he allegedly lost his balance and fell into the mixer machine. He suffered grievous injuries and died in the accident. His 19-year-old colleague, Vishal Kumar Upendra Chaudhary, who was reportedly present at the site and witnessed the incident, approached the Panvel Taluka police and lodged a complaint."

Safety probe

The incident has also raised questions about workplace safety, particularly for young migrant workers employed at construction and RMC sites. Police are questioning the workers and concerned persons at the plant to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Police Speak

Gajanan Ghadge, senior police inspector, Panvel Taluka police station
‘We are investigating the circumstances that led to the incident and will take further action based on the findings. The role of the mixer operator and the safety arrangements at the plant are being examined. Investigators are also expected to verify whether the machine was being operated according to prescribed safety procedures and whether adequate precautions had been taken to prevent workers from coming into contact with the machinery'