Bhopal India
Executive Summary
Union Carbide India Limited was a pesticide factory that located at Bhopal, India. After the plant built at Bhopal, India in 1969, the production of pesticide helped to increase the production of grain and cut the grain losses from 25 percent to 15 percent. In 3rd December 1984, an incident happens and it becomes the worst industrial accident in history. Poison gas leaks from Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal. It spreads throughout the city, killing approximately 200,000 people and 800,000 people were affected (long term health).
What are the ethical issues raised by this case?
There are few ethical issues that rose by the situation that occurred in 1984 at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India.
First, Union Carbide’s management, both in United State and India failed to perform the security standard and affected on the employees, surrounding communities and environmental. This happen is due to the safety procedures at the plant were not high as at United State.
Second, Union Carbide did not disclose the significant risk and damage on the surrounding communities and employee of the operation. Union Carbide was trying to disclose it harmfulness to earn more profit.
Third, Government not evaluate properly the issue of allowing Union Carbide to build the plant at Bhopal in terms of only enforce few laws that requiring expensive environmental equipment and workplace protection.
Forth, Union Carbide India knew that the only way to cut losses from this unprofitable plant was cutting the cost. Thus, Union Carbide did the changes of workers shift from 12 shifts to 5 shifts. By reduced the shifts, experienced and best operators were quit and the plant security and operation affected. Hence, from this situation a leakage was happen.
However, there are some arguments. First, manager of Union Carbide planned to close down the plant in Bhopal. However, government asked Union Carbide to continue the operation to remain the thousands of
Union Carbide India Limited was a pesticide factory that located at Bhopal, India. After the plant built at Bhopal, India in 1969, the production of pesticide helped to increase the production of grain and cut the grain losses from 25 percent to 15 percent. In 3rd December 1984, an incident happens and it becomes the worst industrial accident in history. Poison gas leaks from Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal. It spreads throughout the city, killing approximately 200,000 people and 800,000 people were affected (long term health).
What are the ethical issues raised by this case?
There are few ethical issues that rose by the situation that occurred in 1984 at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India.
First, Union Carbide’s management, both in United State and India failed to perform the security standard and affected on the employees, surrounding communities and environmental. This happen is due to the safety procedures at the plant were not high as at United State.
Second, Union Carbide did not disclose the significant risk and damage on the surrounding communities and employee of the operation. Union Carbide was trying to disclose it harmfulness to earn more profit.
Third, Government not evaluate properly the issue of allowing Union Carbide to build the plant at Bhopal in terms of only enforce few laws that requiring expensive environmental equipment and workplace protection.
Forth, Union Carbide India knew that the only way to cut losses from this unprofitable plant was cutting the cost. Thus, Union Carbide did the changes of workers shift from 12 shifts to 5 shifts. By reduced the shifts, experienced and best operators were quit and the plant security and operation affected. Hence, from this situation a leakage was happen.
However, there are some arguments. First, manager of Union Carbide planned to close down the plant in Bhopal. However, government asked Union Carbide to continue the operation to remain the thousands of