The Hon’ble National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi, in its Order in the matter Original Application No. 134/2020 had directed all State Governments take safety measures to prevent incidents like the massive fire in Visakha Solvent Ltd, Vizag Visakhapatnam in future and further stated that the preventive actions may also include mock-drills as statutory requirement.
Now, in compliance with the abovementioned Order of the Hon’ble NGT, Principal Bench, New Delhi the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (“MIDC”) , in a Circular dated 9th November, 2020 has issued the instructions regarding the concerned Departments which will be taking action regarding the following:
• The factories / establishments which store / handle / process hazardous chemicals and which approach to MIDC/MPCB for permission, MIDC/MPCB shall inform to DISH department deals with safety.
• Qualified and trained operator shall be appointed to handle / operate hazardous chemicals in any factory / establishments.
• The authority which approved plans in respect of storage / handling/ process of hazardous chemicals in any factories / establishments shall approve the plans with necessary isolation of storage areas from manufacturing areas.
• Details of all factories/ establishments which store / handle / process hazardous chemicals shall be updated in Off-site plan of each district and District Magistrate shall hold regular meeting.
• Small duration certificate courses for operation of utilities in industry like thermo pack, effluent treatment plants, reactors, pressure vessels may be conducted and operation of these critical equipment’s by certified persons shall be mandated.
In view of the above, following instructions must be implemented by all the concerned with immediate effect:
1. All the Regional Officers while issuing “offer letter” to the Industry and in their Land Lease Agreement must ensure to put condition that the plot holder must inform to DISH about the hazardous chemicals stored/ handled/ processed by them. Also all the Regional Officers should send copy of such hazardous chemical to be handled /stored/ processed by the Industry to the DISH on priority.
2. Similarly a suitable clause must also be added in the offer letter and in the Land lease agreement instructing the Industry to appoint Qualified and trained operator to handle / operate the hazardous chemicals and its process in the factory.
3. The industries should ensure to frequently arrange or depute their operators to the small / short duration certificate courses for the operation of critical utilities in industry like thermo-pack, effluent treatment plants, reactors, pressure vessels, boilers and other chemical processes etc.
4. All SPA’s / Executive Engineers, while approving plans in respect of such Industry shall ensure that the hazardous chemical storage areas are isolated from manufacturing /production areas.
Source: Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation
