In the wake of gas leakage at an LG polymer plant in Vishakapatnam which resulted in the death of 12 people, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) came out with precautions to be observed at the start of any manufacturing units.
On May 10, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) released fresh guidelines on the post-lockdown restart of manufacturing industries.
The government added that the first week should be regarded as the 'trial or test run periods,' and that industries should not be focused on high production targets, as they restart operations when the national lockdown is removed.
In the release, the NDMA said that it is possible that due to several weeks of lockdown and the closure of industrial units some of the operators may not have followed the established standard operating procedures. As a result, some facilities, pipelines, valves may have residual chemicals, which could pose a risk. The same holds for hazardous chemicals and flammable materials storage facilities.
A failed valve at Visakhapatnam on Thursday is suspected to have caused the gas leak. Investigators believe that gas pressure may have built up after 40 days of lockdown which has caused toxic styrene gas to escape from an LG Polymers shutdown facility. The fresh guidelines from the government have developed the procedure to ensure safe storage of raw materials in the units of the factory.
The NDMA guidelines said that when lockout or Tagout procedures are not in place, many sources of energy can be hazardous to operators or supervisors who maintain electrical, mechanical, or chemical equipment. If heavy machinery and equipment are not regularly maintained, they can become dangerous to operators and engineers.
Combustible liquids, contained gaseous substances, open wires, conveyor belts and automated vehicles make a high-risk environment for production facilities. Improper enforcement of safety codes and improperly labelled chemicals may also pose serious risks to health.
The NDMA said the state governments will also ensure that the respective Major Accidental Hazard (MAH) units' off-site disaster management plan is up-to-date and readiness to implement it, is high.
The disaster management authority said the following guidelines are being issued to minimize the risk and encourage a successful restart of the industrial units:
GENERIC GUIDELINES:
FOR SPECIFIC INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES:
Storage of raw material
Manufacturing Processes
Storage of products
GUIDELINES FOR THE WORKERS
Ensure 24 -hour sanitisation of the factory premises.
Entrance health checks
Provisions of hand sanitisers and mask to all employers.
COVID 19 health and prevention staff education
Quarantine measures for supply and storage of goods
Physical distancing measures
Working in shifts
Scenario plan on discovering a positive case
Presence of skilled workers