EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS – ON-SITE & OFF-SITE

INTRODUCTION

Efforts and money are spent to reduce the scale and probability of hazardous.
However, there remains a finite possibility that certain hazard may occur and give rise
to suffering and damage. The Flixborough disaster in 1974 had killed 28 employees on
the sire and 53 were injured from outside population and many more unrecorded minor
injury together with damage to houses and shops. The immediate reaction to this
disastrous explosion was the appointment of an independent Advisory Committee on
Major Hazards. This committee suggested to identify such industries/installations
holding certain materials above threshold quantities so that scale of problem could be
assessed and proper control measures could be applied. The statutory framework to
implement the provisions began with the notification of installations Handling
Hazardous Substances Regulations 1982 (NIHHS). The manufacture, Storage Import
of Hazardous Chemical Rules 1989 also provide guidelines for preparation of ON and
OFFSITE emergency plans.

In India, Bhopal disaster followed by many leaks of toxic gases and other hazardous
substances or flammable chemicals have caused great concern among the authorities
and public at large. The leaked Methyl Isocynade (MIC) in Bhopal tragedy was the
strange to public but was the well-known chemical substances with well known
dangerous properties for specialists. The use of these substances was in large
quantities, which created concern. To develop integrated safety system, cover all
contingencies and limit their consequences for the public, worker, general and working
environment.

Bhopal tragedy had also drawn the attention of International Labour Offices who offered
their services to the Ministry of Labour to provide immediate assistance in the field of
occupational safety and health. In February 1985, Mr. George Kliesch, the chief of the
Occupational Safety and Health branch of ILO visited India and hold discussions with
the officers of the Ministry of Labour and other departments on matters relating to
establishment of major accident hazard control system in India. Government of India
with the assistance of Federal Republic of Germany and ILO has started operating
major accident hazard control system in the provision of assistance to developing
countries with an objective to prevent serious injuries to workers and population and to
minimize the risk of future catastrophes like Bhopal. The preparation of effective
ONSITE and OFFSITE Emergency Plans is an important step to mitigate the effect of
possible emergency. These plans must be flexible and able to cope with various
scenarios including the most severe event. The details and scope of the emergency
plan will vary according to the complexity of the site.
DEFINITON

2.1
HAZARD A physical situation with a potential for harm to life
or property.

2.2 It is the inter action of the event with the target,

EMERGENCY equipment or people.

2.3 It is a catastrophic situation in which day to day patterns

DISASTER of life are suddenly disrupted and people are plunged
into helplessness & suffering.

2.4 An occurrences will be the major accident if it meets the

MAJOR ACCIDENT following conditions:

i) That it leads to serious dangers to man or the

ENVIRONMENT.
ii) That it results from uncontrolled developments in
the course of an industrial activity.
iii) That it involves one or more dangerous
substances

PREPARATION OF PLAN

The on site emergency plans should be based on the specific need of each particular
site for dealing the emergencies. It should be a written document and kept up date to
reflect changes in risks, procedures & Personnel. Plan must be kept in an operational
state and should include the name of person responsible for safety on the site and the
names of the people who are authorize to set the plan in action. A well written
emergency plan can provide a basis for the inspection of a chemical plant. In order to
do so, it must contain several essential elements. The plan should provide simple &
logical procedures for effective direction and deco-ordination of an emergency
incidents.

1. Locate & Define Hazard

Occupier should submit information to authorities about the nature of dangerous

substances used in the form of material safety data sheet.

Identify all possible sources of accidents involving fire, explosions, release or leakage
of toxic substances or any other accident which may become disaster if not controlled
within a short period. Such accident could take place during actual production, storage,
transportation, packaging or waste disposal. Location of such hazards may identify by
safety Audit, Hazard operability study or by means of any other techniques of hazard
identification.
2. Identification of credible events

There are three major hazards in plant operation of process industries

a) Fire hazard - Fire in process industries causes more serious accidents than
explosion & toxic release. Flash fires and fire balls radiate intense heat which
can be lethal. A major fire, but with no danger of an explosion e.g. fire in an oil
storage tank, the hazard would be prolonged high levels of thermal radiations
and smoke. It is unlikely that anyone outside the site would be affected
immediately. Only houses close to and directly exposed to severe thermal
radiation would need to be evacuated. In some cases, it might be desirable to
evacuate those areas severely affected by smoke.

b) Explosion hazard - The second of the major hazards is explosion which is

particularly significant in terms of fatalities & loss. It is usually regarded as
having a disaster potential greater than that of fire but less than that of toxic
release. In case of flammable materials, the greatest threat arises from the
sudden massive escape of volatile liquids or gases which could produce large
cloud of explosive vapour, if clouds were ignited, the effects of combustion would
depend on many factors including wind speeds and extent to which the cloud are
diluted with air.

c) Toxic release - The third major hazards is the release of toxic chemicals and
consequences arises from release of depends on the condition of exposure
duration of exposure and exposure distance from point of release, quantity of
release and toxicity of materials. Toxic release has the greatest potential to kill a
large number of people, but large scale toxic gas fatalities is a much less
frequent occurrence than a large fire or explosion.

3. Risk Assessment

The risk assessment is carried out where potential risk is associated with hazardous
installation as the risk have potential effect on employees, local population, the
environment or on the ecology. The results of the assessment are used to aid the
decision taking process in developing contingency plan. The assessment process can
be summarised as –

a) Identification of hazardous events - The initial step is to identify these events

which can occur on the site and have a significant effect outside the site
boundary.

b) Assessment of the frequency of the event - Failure of equipment may be

estimated from date obtained on assembling information on the basis of past
failures in similar situations or on judgment basis or by applying fault free
analysis technique or other similar methods.
c) Estimate the consequences of the event - Objective of this is to estimate the
chances that and particular type of consequences will result from hazardous
event e.g. how the release is distributed in environment and what its effect on
public health and property. Possible consequences of flammable hazards is as
given on next page.

d) Calculation of the parameters of risk- The group of risks are recognized as

- Risk to plant operator/ personnel

- Risk to individual member of public living near to plant
- Risk to population in the area surrounding a plant(Societal Risk)

This will provide basis for estimation of nature & magnitude of hazard.

e) Compare the result of risk assessment with accepted criteria – The

objective of risk assessment is to place the potential risks in perspective with
other accepted risks and hence to assist the decision taking process.

4. Area, place and type of likely hazard may be indicated on site plan and also
show surrounding areas outside the boundary of factory premises indicating roads,
railway line, residential localities etc.

5. Provide map to indicate where the installation is located showing its position in
relation to local geographic features & meteorological data to the site such as

- Historical monument, if any, in the vicinity

- Name of neighbouring manufacturing units, human habitants
- Educational and training Institute
- Storage of L.P.G. and other hazardous substances and their distances from unit.
- High tension electrical lines, pipe line for water, oil, gas, sewerage, railway line,
roads, stations etc.
- Water sources in vicinity
- Nearest hospitals, fire stations, civil defence stations, police stations and their
distances
- Contour map of the area showing nearby hillock & differences in the level
- Average minimum and maximum of temperature/humidity and wind velocity
during the previous ten years.
- Seasonal variations of wind directions
- Data on prevailing weather conditions
- Highest water level reached during the floods.

6. Information on Dispersal/Disposal of wastes & pollutants

- Major pollutants (Liquid/solid) generated per day, their characteristics &

quantities
- Method of treatment, chemical and biological treatment of liquid waste &
arrangement of final disposal.
- Quality and quantity of gaseous waste discharged through stock or other
openings & arrangements provided to neutralizing e.g. scrubbers, cyclone
separators, electrostatic precipitators etc.
7. Identify Resources & facilities available for dealing with an emergency

Details of specialized emergency equipment e.g. heavy lifting gears, bulldozers, fire
tenders etc. with their locations should be included in the plan so as to make their use
in shortest possible time. It should also contain a list of experts in the area which may
be called upon to advise and help in case of disaster. Other facilities are-

- Fire fighting equipment- fire tenders/extinguishers/manpower

- First aid – antidotes, medicines, O2 Cylinder and other medical
equipment/stretcher.
- Medical help – ambulance/team
- Alternate source of power supply for operating fire pump & for general lighting
- Means of communication – telephone/telex/wireless/public address system
- Equipment for materials handling & rescue purpose
- Personal protective equipment
- Location of all hospitals with details of facilities available
- Location of all police stations, chowkies, fire stations, offices of home guards
with their addresses telephone nos, manpower & facilities available with these
agencies.

Mutual Aid

During emergency situation, resources over and above those available at site may be
needed. In locations where there are number of industrial concern, it can be beneficial
to set up a mutual aid program to assist on the one hand and to secure additional
supplies when needed on the other. Name of the contact person should be recorded.

8. Objective of the plan

The objective of this plan should be to make use of combined resources of the works to
mitigate the effect of an emergency.

9 Consult and Install

a) Emergency Control Centre

Control Centre will be the focal point during emergency. It should be manned by
works main Controller or site Controller to direct and co-ordinate operations to
handle emergency. It should be located in the area of minimum risk and close to
road for easy access. The provision of an alternative center diagonally opposite
should also be made and mark in the site plan. It should contain -

- Adequate numbers of external & internal telephones with manpower

- Site plan of works to illustrate -

* Areas where there are large inventories of hazardous materials

* Sources of safety equipment
* Fire hydrant system & alternate supply source
 * Stock of other fire fighting materials
* Works entrances & road system
* Assembly points
* First-aid centres
* Surrounding habitation within 1/2km distance

- Additional works plan covered with plastic or glass sheets to illustrate

areas affected/endangered

* deployment of emergency vehicles & personnel

* areas evacuated

- Felt pen marking/note pads

- Nominal roll of employee

- List of key persons and essential workers their addresses & telephone
numbers

- A tape recorder to note incidents, actions and any other instructions to be

passed on through runners

b) Assembly Point

Set up assembly points farthest form the locations of likely hazardous events
where pre-designated man persons from works, Contractors & Visitors would
assemble in case of emergency. Pre-designated persons would take charge of
these points and mark presence as the people come into it. Each assembly point
should be clearly marked by a conspicuous notice and provided with an
identification number of letter e.g. ASSEMBLY POINTS.

c) Alarm System

An audible emergency alarm system should be installed throughout the factory

at number of points clearly marked “Emergency Alarm Switch” so that any
person should be able to raise the alarm and action can be taken as early as
possible to control the incident and prevent its developing into a major one. The
choice of suitable alarm will depend on local circumstances and will be
influenced by –

- Size of works
- Variety of hazards
- Inter-dependence of plants
- Existence of other alarms
 In areas where there is a high level of noise, it may be necessary to install more
than one audible alarm transmitter with flashing lights. Automatic alarms may
also be installed on some sites. Emergency alarm should be distinguished from
other alarm by sounding an alarm over an extended period. Sometimes separate
alarms are used for different emergency to avoid confusion in areas. All the
alarms should be periodically tested for its performance at fixed hour.

d) Key Personnel and their Responsibilities

Appoint key personnel and lay down their responsibilities. To enable them to
readily recognized by all concerned, they should wear a distinctive garment or
helmet and these should be known to all.

Responsibilities during normal working hours –

Site Controller –
General Manager or his nominated deputy will retain overall responsibility for the
factory and its personnel. On receiving intimation about emergency, he will take
over the charge of control room and meet the communication officer. His main
duties shall be to assess magnitude of situation and take action for evacuation,
to liaise with police, fire, medical and other officials, calling of other key
personnel, issue statements to news media, arrange for relief and rehabilitation
and preserve evidences for enquiries.

Works Incident Controller –

He should be an individual who is having overall control of the works situation
e.g. Production Manager or his Deputy. He will rush to scene to occurrence and
take overall charge and report to site controller through communication officer.
He will direct all operations within the affected areas, communicate about nature
of emergency to staff on public address system and direct, advice and co-
ordinate activities of essential workers and other key personnel.

Administrative Manager –
He will work as liaison officer and will be stationed at main entrance during the
emergency. He will handle police, press, enquiries, roll call at assembly points,
control internal traffic, movement managing transport under the directions of site
controller.

Communication Officer –
On emergency, he will proceed to control center and maintain communication
with the incidental controller and feed information to site controller. He will
maintain prior agreed inventory in the control room. In case of prolonged
emergency and threat to community, contact meteorological office to know
weather conditions and with other services. Communicator should be told to call
in the order without wasting time or hanging on unduly for the call to be
unanswered and information should be short and precise.
 Telephone Operators –
On hearing emergency alarm, he will immediately contact site controller and
Incident controller and will tell about location and call the local fire brigade or
mutual aid scheme members and keep liaison with Communication Officer. He
will continue to operate the switch board advising the callers that staff are not
available and pass all calls connected with the incident to the Communication
Officer.

Fire & Security Officer –

The Chief fire and security officer will be responsible for fire fighting.

First aid team –

Members of first-aid team will report to W.I.C. on having alarm. The ambulance
driver shall park the ambulance nearest to the scene on incident. Ambulance
will leave place along with patient giving the name of patient and destination i.e.
hospital or doctor’s room. Stock of antidotes and medicines should also be
available.

In case of emergency, typical injuries of health effects that might be sustained by

the individuals, should be communicated in advance to near by hospitals for the
treatment of the people who might be admitted in those hospitals in the event of
serious accidents.

Other key personnel –

Other key personnel will include departmental heads, Electrical & Mechanical
maintenance engineers, Medical officer and his team, first aider, Safety
personnel, Laboratory, Public relation men will assist incident controller as and
when required.

Essential workers –
Work like plant shut down, opening of by pass line, Isolation of equipments,
Provision of lighting, manning assembly points etc. are carried by essential
operators. Workers may be nominated to carry out essential work. Plant shut
down procedure should be streamlined, essential workers should be trained to
operate safety.

Emergency Personnel’s Responsibilities outside normal working hours of the

factory –

Shift executive In charge will act as Works In charge Controller till the arrival of
W.I.C.

10. Action on Site

The effective handling of an emergency depends on informed decision taken at the time
and it is not possible to predict every action which may require to be taken but few
actions should be considered.
Evacuation :
In case of major emergency, it will be necessary to evacuate non-essential workers
personnel from affected areas and directed to pre-determined assembly points. It is the
responsibility of local Transport Office to arrange transport at short notice.

Accounting for Personnel :

The problem of accounting workers may be difficult on large works due to presence of
maximum number of persons like employees based at sire, employees for short period,
Contractor’s worker for casual visitor. A nominal roll should be maintained for site
workers contractor workers, Record of visitors and other workers for arrival & departure
should also be maintained.

Public relations :
A major emergency involving police or fire services will attract the attention of press,
television & radio services. Little or no information or poor quality statements will lead
to distortion and may cause unnecessary concern amongst the general public and
traffic problem. It is, therefore, essential to make arrangement for authoritative release
of information by a person experienced in dealing with media.

Rehabilitation :
The Senior Fire Brigade Officer/WIC will signal for the end of emergency after fully
satisfying themselves. Even when ALL CLEAR has been given great care is needed
while entering the affected areas. No work in connection with removal of salvage,
collection of evidence, start up, planning the restart of work etc. should be done unless
thorough examination is carried out safe shut down and start up procedures of the plant
under different conditions should also be prepared.

Disclosure of Information to workers –

Occupier is required to disclose information pertaining to emergency plan and detailed

disaster control measures to workers by supply of booklet, leaflet, display and explain.
Factory should develop a detailed instruct booklet specifying as to what is to be done
and by whom in case of emergency taking place. This should be updated regularly.
This should contain hazardous process carried on in factory, associated dangers,
material data sheet, physical and health hazards, measures taken to control hazards,
safe shout down & start up, meanings of labels and markings, signs and symptoms on
exposure of hazardous substances and whom to report? Measures in case of village
and leakages and role of workers in emergency plan.

Rehearsals-

Emergency plan need to be tested when first devised and thereafter to be rehearsed at
suitable intervals with an objective to

- Test everyone’s responsibility

- Evaluate the quality of communication and interaction between the parties
involved.
- Acquire the knowledge and expertise
- To give experience and build confidences in the team members.
- To test emergency isolation and shut down procedures
After the exercise we should evaluate by asking ourselves what we have learned:
 What did we fail to do?
 What did we do wrong?
 How could we have done it better?
 What not we do now?
The plan will then inevitably need to be amended. This rehearsal helps in removal of
confusion to a greater or lesser extent which arises during the early stages of
emergency and will not let us down at the crucial moment. The evaluation of the
rehearsal should be done with the help of checklist.

CONCLUSION

The emergency plan so prepared should be flexible and capable of expansion with the
minimum of change and success of this plan depend upon true understanding of one
another’s role, exchange of information and resources in an emergency. You should
reduce the probability of theoretical plans not working in practice by evolving a
procedure of testing, the efficiency and effectiveness of the plans, the arrangements,
the people and the equipment.
 HAZARD FLAMABLE VAPOUR RELEASE OF
WITHIN VESSEL FLAMMABLE LIQUID
WITHIN VESSEL FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
TO ATMOSPHERE

GAS LIQUID

TYPE OF FIRE RISK OF RISK

AND RISK OF BLEVE RISK OF UVCE OR
CONFINED OF
EXPLOSION – BOILING FLASH FIRE
EXPLOSION FIRE
LIQUID
EXPANDING
VAPOUR
EXPLOSION

RADIATION DAMAGE
FLASH FIRE OR FIRE
CONSEQUENCES MISSILE DAMAGE BLAST DAMAGE BALL

POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF FLAMMABLE HAZARDS

 OFF-SITE EMERGENCY PLAN

It is impossible to predict the time when an accident can occur in an installation.

It occurs unexpectedly, calling for emergencies/disasters. An advance meticulous
planning minimizes chaos and confusion which normally occur in such a situation
and reduces the response time of disaster management organisation. A well laid
out procedure with proper chain of command, training, mock drills, arrangement
for proper equipment and safety appliances, mutual aid agreement with
neighbouring industries and liaison with district collectorate, police, hospitals,
State Fire Services, etc. help to take timely and appropriate action so that loss of
property/human lives and damage to environment is minimum. Disaster control
plan may be divided into two parts:

1. Disaster preventive measures

2. Action plan
 Before occurrence of disasters/emergency condition
 During emergency period
 Post disaster activities

DISASTER PREVENTIVE MEASURES

After identification and assessment of disaster potential is necessary to formulate

and practice the preventive measure. The preventive measures are taken right
from design, stage, etc.

 Strict adherence to required codes & practices

 Layout of the plant with sufficient safety distances
 Use of proper material of construction
 Use of SRV and proper instrumentation with automatic control, alarm and
trip systems to control process parameters
 Installation of gas and heat detectors with alarm and trip system.

Apart from the above, proper supervision/inspection during procurement of

equipment and machineries and erection under strict supervision of competent
personnel should be done.

Preventive measures during operational life are:

 Follow specific procedure for start-up, shut-down and any maintenance

work
 Follow permit t work system
 Use specified tool for maintenance
 Inspect the plant by competent personnel regularly
 Monitor condition of critical equipment rotating machinery and pipeline by
non-destructive technique and taken appropriate action
 Carry out preventive maintenance of moving machineries as per schedule
given by the manufacturer as well as by experience
 Use trained manpower for operation and maintenance and also impart
regular training for proper functioning of their duty.
 Maintain healthy and clean atmosphere
 Regulate entry of unauthorized personnel
 Carry out hazard analysis and safety audit at regular intervals
 Regulate modification and if absolutely necessary, use HAZOP technique
to find out necessary precautions and carry out the modification job after
preparing design drawing carefully and executive with utmost care.

ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE EMERGENCY PLAN

An On-site Emergency is one, which is having negligible effect outside the

factory premises and primarily be controlled by internal facilities and resources
available. Some help may be required from external agencies or local authorities.

An Off-site Emergency will affect the neighbouring areas and population outside
the installation and would require substantial contribution from neighbouring
factories and institutions like police, civil administration, hospitals, etc. in addition
to State Fire Services. Off-site Emergency, which affect the neighbourhood and
call for evacuation of public to safer places.

OBJECTIVE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

It is not possible for a company to face a disaster single handedly and calls for
use of all available resources in the surrounding areas. Advance meticulous
planning minimises chaos and confusion, which normally occur in such a
situation and reduces the response time of disaster management organisation.

The objectives of the plan are:

 To contain and control the incident in shortest possible time so that the
losses are minimum.
 To rescue the victims and treat them suitably in quickest possible time.
 To safeguard other personnel and evacuate them to safer places.
 To identify persons affected/dead and inform relatives of
casualties/victims.
 To preserve damaged records and equipment for enquiry
 To provide authoritative information to news media to rehabilitate affected
areas/people
 To restore normal working condition at the earliest.
ACTION PLAN

Both On-site and Off-site Emergency response plan can be sub-divided into –

a. Equipment plan
b. Organisation plan
c. Action Plan

a. Equipment plan :

During emergency, easy access to the required equipment and facilities are of
paramount importance. Equipment plan needs arrangement of sufficient and
proper appliances needed to combat any disaster after careful study of the
requirement.

They include:

 Alarm and communication system

 Fire fighting facilities, including portable fire extinguishers, gas/heat
detection system, sprinklers and deluge valves, fire water storage and
pumping, fire hydrants and monitors, etc.
 Safety and personal protective appliances
 Transport requirement, medical provisions
 Emergency control centre from where emergency shall be controlled by
the senior most officer. Emergency control centre shall be equipped with
alarm and communication network, Emergency Management Manual
containing layout of factory, possible hazards and their effect distances,
wind rose pattern, safety and fire fighting facilities available and the list of
names with telephone numbers of emergency management team
members (both, On-site and Off-site Emergency), checklist for emergency
plan of actions so that nothing is overlooked by the Chief Emergency
Coordinator.

b. Organization plan :

This part of Emergency Response Plan is systematic list of persons engaged in

combating disaster and their functions, i.e. Who will do what and how – before,
during and after emergency. Combating of any accident/disaster needs quick
response at any time of day or night. The plan gives detailed chain of command,
area of responsibility of each personnel, information flow pattern to be followed
and coordination activities required to tackle emergency. In case of On-site
Emergency, senior most officer of the company generally GM/Dy.GM, takes
charges as Chief Emergency Coordinator. Under him, different heads of
department act to perform different duties necessary to meet the situation, for
e.g. –

 Site Emergency Controller – Contain and control of the incident with help
of fire services and their team as well as other team members.
 Emergency Controller (Materials) – Arrange transport/vehicles for
transportation of victims/outside experts.
 Emergency Controller (Materials) – Arrange cranes, lifting forks, welding
machines, etc. necessary to remove the debris as well as safety
appliances, emergency diesel generator set, etc.
 Emergency Controller (Traffic Control) – Control of traffic inside the factory
premises
 Emergency controller (Rescue & Rehabilitation) – Rescue of victims,
transportation to hospitals for medical aid, arrange shelter for unaffected
people to safe places, arrange food and beverages, liaison with police,
District Administration and State Fire Services and hospitals, etc.
 Emergency Controller (Medical Aid) – Arrange first aid to the victims and
transportation to designated hospitals and medical centres.

Some Pre-emergency Functions of Chief Emergency Coordinator

 Preparation of Emergency Management Manual

 Designating Emergency Management team members
 Arranging proper equipment, fire fighting facilities, safety appliances in
adequate quantities in different plants/places
 Arranging alarm and communication system
 Arranging periodic mock drills for emergency conditions
 Arranging periodic mock drills for emergency conditions
 Arranging regular training of employees and special training for
designated team members
 Ensuring preventive measures
 Taking necessary action to create public awareness so that public does
not become panicky during disaster and take necessary action in case of
Off-site disaster.
 Keeping liaison with outside agencies like district administration, police,
hospitals, State Fire Services, etc.

c. Action plan

c.1 DURING EMERGENCY (ON-SITE)

On getting the information of accident, the Chief Emergency Coordinator will rush
to the spot and inform other team members and declare emergency. He will
coordinate all activities from Emergency Control Centre to contain and control the
incident with the help of this team. If necessary, he will call for outside help.
c.2 FOR POST EMERGENCY PERIOD

This plan is mainly to investigate the cause of accident and take necessary
action so that the incident is not repeated in future, notify the Govt. about
accident, restore normalcy, help to rehabilitate the victims for recovery and help
the relatives of casualties.

OFF-SITE EMERGENCY

Here the Emergency Plan of action is prepared by District Crisis Management

Group and Local Crisis Management Group formed by District Collectorate. The
group includes Factory Inspectorate, heads of hazardous installations. Police,
State Fire Service, local hospital authorities, railway authority and other
administrative machinery.

The Emergency Management Manual for Off-site Emergency is prepared after

getting information about possible hazard and hazard distances from heads of
hazardous installations. Similar to onsite Emergency, the Off-site Emergency is
controlled and coordinated by District Collector or the designated officer under
him. The chain of command, alarm and communication network, emergency
control centre, emergency shelter, mock drill, public awareness, evacuation
procedure, hospitalization procedure and other relief and rehabilitation procedure
and designated team members clearly mentioned in Emergency management
Manual. The team members should meet periodically and take necessary action
so that loss of human lives are minimum in case of off-site disasters.

In case of accidents due to transportation of hazardous materials, the local crisis

management group formed by District Collectorate at different locations in the
district shall get to work.

LEGISLATIVE APPROACH

In view of colossal losses due to accidents, which happened in the past,

governments of various countries have become alert and felt the need to
formulate legislation for controlling hazards. Govt. of India also have formed
various rules and regulations, for e.g.

1. Factories Act, 1984 Amended in 1987

2. Environment Protection Act, 1986
3. Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989
amended in 1944.
4. Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response)
Rules, 1996.
5. Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, etc.
Various acts and rules take care about the control of hazard from industrial
installations right from approval of the site for location of the industry from site
appraisal committee of State Pollution Board Ministry of Environment and Forest.
In Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989
amended in 1944, hazardous chemicals have been identified for various levels of
control. In this rule, 179 numbers of chemicals (with threshold quantities) have
been identified in four groups. (Group 1: Toxic Chemicals, Group 2: Toxic
Chemicals, Group 3: Highly Reactive Chemicals, Group 4: Explosive Chemicals)
which require:

 Approval of site (Rule 7 to 9)

 Preparation of On-site Emergency Plan (Rule 13)
 Preparation of Off-site Emergency Plan (Rule 14)
 Providing information to public (about the nature of hazard and safety
measures) who are likely to be affected in case of major accident (Rule
15).

The On-site and Off-site Emergency Plans are to be prepared and approved in
case of new industrial activity and approved by Factory Inspectorate and
statutory bodies. The plans are to be prepared for existing installations also.

In the same rule in Schedule 2, twenty seven chemicals have also been identified
with threshold quantities for isolated storages which require preparation of Safety
Report as well as Safety Audit in addition to the requirements mentioned for 179
chemicals.

The salient features of Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness

and Response) Rules, 1996 are:

 Within 30 days of commencement of the rule Central Govt. will constitute

at Central Crisis Group (CCG) and set up a Crisis Alert System for
management of Chemical Accidents.
 Within 30 days State Govt. shall constitute a State Crisis Group (SCG),
District Crisis Group (DCG) and Local Crisis Group (LCG). Local and
District Crisis Group shall prepare off-site emergency plan of major hazard
installation.
 The authorities of major hazard installations shall assist DCG and LCG in
preparation of Off-site Disaster Management Plan.

CONCLUSION

We may conclude that well coordinated effort is necessary to avert accidents in

major hazard industries and also well established procedure is pertinent to
minimise the losses in case of any accident happening.