Two workers sustained injuries following a sulphuric acid leak at a pharma unit in the Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) area in Visakhapatnam on Monday morning.

One of the injured, a chemist, suffered chemical burns on his face and right shoulder when a drum of sulphuric acid burst.

According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred while workers were using a chain-pulley system to transport the chemical drum to the first floor. The chain reportedly snapped, causing the drum to fall and shatter, resulting in the spill and injuring another worker who was in the vicinity.

Ganisetty Satyanarayana, honorary president of the Pharma City Staff and workers union, condemned the incident and demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the safety protocols followed at the plant. He alleged that negligence in handling hazardous materials had led to the accident and urged the management to ensure the injured workers receive the best possible medical treatment.

“The accident happened due to a failure in the material-handling equipment,” Mr. Satyanarayana said, while demanding a thorough investigation and stringent action against those responsible for the lapses.