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Stringent execution of rules must to ensure zero industrial accidents - ED, NIDM, MHA
Jun 12, 2020
NEW DELHI, 12 June 2020: Major General M K Bindal, ED, NIDM, MHA, Govt of India today said that there are major risks involved in handling of hazardous chemicals in the industry and stressed on the need for effective implementation of the safety rules and regulations. "Rules and regulations are in place for industrial safety. The need is that all the stakeholders execute them on ground stringently and work towards zero accident approach," he said.
Addressing the FICCI webinar on 'Industrial Safety & DRR: Safe Storage and Handling of Hazardous Chemicals in the Industry', Major General Bindal also said that there is a need for seamless inventory management and strict audits of inventory as these will help in determining how to store the hazardous chemicals.
He added that transportation of hazardous chemicals is another major issue that needs immediate attention. Better processes and mechanization is required to transport hazardous chemicals to avoid accidents, said Major General Bindal.
Lt Gen (Dr) J R Bhardwaj, Former Member, NDMA and Chairman � CIDM said that there have been many industrial accidents and several of them have occurred in storages. Hence, safety of storages with hazardous chemicals is important. With the increase in the number of isolated storages, the risk of accidents has also increased. Thus, it is essential to have risk assessment for isolated storages, he added.
In his presentation on 'Integration Strategies for Hazardous Substance Accident Prevention in Industries', Dr Anil Gupta, Professor, NIDM, MHA, Govt of India said that the government has introduced CAIRS (Chemical Accident Information Reporting System) Act to understand if accidents are being reported correctly in India.
Highlighting the role of PESO, Mr R N Meena, Joint CCE, PESO, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India said that PESO has laid down SOPs to ensure safety in industries post lockdown. He added that PESO offices are also acting as nodal officers in states and ensuring that there is adequate and prompt supply of oxygen for treating COVID-19 patients.
Mr Ranjan Mehrotra, Director, OISD, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Govt of India said that it is essential to follow SOPs for avoiding industrial accidents. He added that rise in consumption of LPG has led to increased transportation of LPG by road. Hence, to avoid accidents, corrective measures are being put in place such as vehicle tracking systems and regular medical check-ups of drivers transporting LPG.
Dr Naveen Raj, Chief General Manager, Head-Environment, ONGC and Mr Deepak Pande, Head, EHS, Deepak Fertilizers PC, also made presentations and shared their perspectives. The webinar was attended by over 500 industry and government officials from across the country.