UNIT- I & II

HSE Challenges &

REGULATORY REGIME:
HSE (Safety Policy) in any organizatin is
implemented with the help of
1. OSHA
2. Factories Act 1948
3. OISD (Oil and Gas Industries)

Objectives
After reading this unit, you will be able to
understand :
The
most
management

effective

model

of

HSE

To know the latest regulatory requirements in

the area of health, safety and environment
pertaining to petroleum operations.
To know various regulatory agencies involved
in framing HSE rules and regulations and
other organizations working in HSE area

Industrilization has brought several problems and one

of the such problem is industrial accidents.
Industrial Hazards are :
a) Mechanical b) Electrical c) Chemical
d) Construction, e) Fire and Radiation Hazard.
Fundamental of Safety:
Industrial work is full of hazards. It is necessary to
ensure safety of plants, machineries and human being.

1. Human error : 80% due to Unsafe Practice

2. Mechanical Failure : 10% due to plant
condition, equipment and tool failure
3. Act of Nature : 2 % i.e flood, cyclone etc.

Why Safety is important ?

Accident causes pain and suffering.
Accident are very costly.
Accident lower morale and decrease productivity.
Cost of prevention of accident is lower than cost of
handling
Accident reflect poor management system

Unsafe Condition and Unsafe Acts causes :

1. Loss of production / project
2. Loss of employees earning
3. Damage to plant and machinery
4. Premature death of employee
5. Expenses on medical aid
6. Expenses on recruitment and training to the employees

Safety : Safety is denoted as the condition or state of

being safe, freedom from the danger or hazard,
exemption from hurt, injury and loss.
Accidents : Are unplanned, unwanted and uncontrolled
event in which an action or reaction of an object,
substances, person or radiation results:
- injury, harm to employee
- Damage to property
- Loss / Contamination to the Envt.
98 % Accidents caused by unsafe act or unsafe condition.
Risk : Any situation that has probability to cause Injury/ harm to
human, damage to property, loss/ contamination to the environment.
Industrial Safety: Refer protection of worker from the danger of
industrial accidents.

Hazards: Any situation that has potential / capabilities

to cause injury/ harm to the worker, damage to
property, loss / contamination to the environment.
Injury : It is an inherent property of substance or an
occurrence which has the potential to cause loss/ harm
to the person.
Near Miss : An accident has not happened, but it may
happen. Unsafe conditions lead to major accident.
Fatal Injury : Due to injury causes death or Disability
that cause loss earning of an employee.
Fail Shape : Even if machine fails atleast it fail safely
so that least injury occur.

Safety Stages:
Earlier safety was implemented only by safety
Rules, Act, Compliances
Latter it extended to the environmental impact
which effect community, environment, property,
life.
Now manufacturer is responsible for the safety of
the product.
- It means quality of product should be maintained.
- Equipment, machineries which are used in
industries should be tested for high level of safety.
- Safety is incorporated in designing part.

Need of Safety :
Cost Saving
Productivity Increases
Morale ( is state of mind)
Image increases
Avoid statutory actions
Avoid unique action eg. Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Ethical Management

HSE CHALLENGES-INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION:
Petroleum industry, by its nature is a hazardous
industry.
It involve
Processing, handling , storage and
transportation of large volumes
petroleum products.

of

hazardous

The processing chemicals present inherent risks of

fires, explosions,
toxic releases and environmental pollution
if adequate precautions are not taken during the
design and operation of petroleum installations.

All this has increased the potential of major risks. Major accidents
like
Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984)
Chernobyl disaster (1986)
Piper alpha, Mexico city ,Seveso ,
Flexiobro and Fukoshima Diasater
In the last two decades have shaken the confidence of general
public about the safety of the people, property and environment.
Some companies have been closed down on account of poor
safety and environmental performance.
After these major disaster government authorities, human activist
groups and corporate houses in many countries including India
have taken a number of steps to control such major mishaps/
accidents in the installations which have the potential to
cause loss of human life,
property and environmental damage.

Integrated Safety and Environmental Management

(ISEM

HSE MODEL AND ITS INTEGRATION WITH BUSINESS:

HSE is an integrated management function
comprising
discipline of occupational, health and environment and fire
protection.
Safety Issues :
When an industrial hazards leads to an immediate or sudden
accidents like an injury, fire, explosion or toxic release.
It becomes a safety issues and safety management comes in the
picture.
Occupational Health Problem
When the hazards have chronic health effects like stress, muscoskeltal disorders and other industrial diseases, it becomes
occupational health problems.

Environmental Problem
On the other hand, when the effect on the unsafe situations is
long term and spread over larger areas beyond the boundary
limit it becomes an environmental problem.

No doubt, HSE efforts of many organizations are driven by

statutory requirements and they do whatever minimum is
required to avoid litigation and fines.
Now days efficient and enlightened corporate implement good
HSE performance .
They are committed to improve their health, safety and
environment and fire protection performance on a continuous
basis and on the sustainable way, i.e. meeting the needs of
present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their needs.

Consider the following direct or indirect costs of

major accidents/ incidents:
Injury/ loss of life to self or co-workers
Workman compensation
Cost of injury/ investigation
Loss of property and material
Loss of profits
Punitive sanctions (includes a sanction of
imprisonment or damage) and fines

Closure/ shutdown of the installation

Public litigation
Environmental pollution
Ecological damage
Loss of business
Shareholders wrath
The above does not include the cost of psychological
and social factors associated with major accidents.

Considering all these it is sensible to integrate HSE as

an important management functions like production,
maintenance, finance marketing and human resources
etc.

HSE MANAGEMENT FRAME WORK:

As said earlier, many organizations try

to meet only the minimum regulatory
requirements.
But this is not enough in todays
business and social requirement.
Regulations alone can not guarantee
the safety of petroleum installations.
Most of the regulatory agencies lay
down rules and regulations, which are
the minimum basic requirements for
the safe design and operation of an
installation.
Sound and safe engineering practices
are equally important.

STEPS FOR CONTINUOUS

IMPROVEMENT OF HSE
LEADERSHIP
&
COMMITMENT

POLICY

CONTINUOUS
IMPROVEMENT
HSE
PLANS
&
PROCEDURES

MANAGEMENT
REVIEW

CHECKING
&
CORRECTIVE
ACTION

IMPLEMENT
ATION
&
OPERATIONS

Important features of an effective and efficient HSE Management

System are:
HSE Policy
Every organization must have a written policy on health, safety and
environment signed by the Head of the organization with date.
The copies of this policy should be displayed at prominent places in
the organization so that everybody is familiar with its
contents/intentions.
Some organizations ensure that every employee receives a copy of its
HSE policy.
HSE policy spells out the
values, beliefs and commitments of the organization towards health,
safety of its employees, community and at the macro level of the
nation.

What does HSE POLICY Contain?

1.

Health and safety of personnel and protection of environment .

2.

Production and HSE are complementary to each other.

3.

Safety and environment protection is everybody's business in

the organization.

4.

All statutory requirements must be complied with at all times.

5.

All person must use approved safe working procedures

(SOP)without making any risky short cuts.

6.

All personnel - owner or contractors - must be given relevant

training before assigning them work

What does HSE POLICY Contain? (Cont..)

7. All plants, facilities and work procedures/ systems must be
audited periodically by in-house teams as well as external
agencies.
8.

Plant and ambient environment as well as various effluents must

be monitored continuously to maintain a clean and safe
environment in and around the plants.

9.

A very high standard of house keeping must be maintained at all

places of work-plants, offices and facilities.

10. Every employee must be subjected to medical check-up for early

identification and treatment of any occupational health hazard.
11. All employees must keep abreast with the latest codes,
standards and practices on health, safety and environment.
12. All accidents, however small, must be investigated and followed
up. The lessons learnt from these accidents should be
disseminated to all levels of workforce

What does HSE POLICY Contain? (Cont..)

13. No modifications in plant, facilities will be done without proper
scrutiny and approval by an authorized person(s)
14. No contractor will be engaged without ascertaining his safety
performance / record
15. Non-compliance of this policy will attract severe disciplinary
action

HSE Management Profile

Regulations alone are not enough to maintain a very high

level of safety in petroleum and allied industries, which
have many inherent hazards.
In order to prevent major accidents and mishaps and to
win confidence of general public, management leadership
and commitment is very essential.

Even for implementing and compliance of regulatory

measures, a committed leadership is necessary.
This can be achieved by establishing an effective and
efficient Health, Safety and Environment (HSE)
Management System.

Regulatory agencies do not have adequate infrastructure and

manpower to exercise superintendence and control of industrial
safety performance on a continuous basis.
For example, number of safety inspectors, boiler inspectors and
environmental specialist are far less than that would be required
to undertake meaningful inspection visits to a large number of
installations under their jurisdiction.
Further the back rod and training that many factory workers have,
their visits to factories are restricted to checking basic amenities
- like first aid facilities,
- guards for the machines,
- personal protective equipment,
- potable water and canteen facilities etc.
They probably dont have right training and aptitude for identifying
the many process hazards which are not so obvious.

The regulatory requirements are just very minimum

requirements to obtain license and operate an installation, the
petroleum operations which is hazardous industry.
Lot of self regulatory initiatives by the management are required
to maintain a high level of safety.
So the best framework of HSE management is to comply with the
regulatory requirements and have highly efficient self regulatory
system in house.
REGULATORY REGIME:
Since petroleum industry is hazardous industry, a number of
regulations have been framed by various statutory/regulatory
authorities in the country to safeguard the interest of workers,
public and environment.

REGULATORY/ STATUTORY AGENCIES:

Following is the list of various regulatory/statutory agencies

having jurisdiction over the petroleum industry.
Central Pollution Control Board ( CPCB) under the Ministry of
Environment and Forest
Respective State Pollution Control Board under the Ministry of
Environment and Forest of The State
Chief Controller of Factories Of The Respective State (CIF)
Under The Ministry Of Labor
Chief Controller Of Explosives (CCE) , Ministry of Heavy
Industry, Dept of Explosives
Director General of Civil Aviation ( DGCA) under The Ministry of
Civil Aviation, National Air Port Authority Of India

Tariff Advisory Committee (TAC) Under the Association of Indian

Companies
Bhaba Atomic Energy Commission (BARC) Under Ministry of
Atomic Energy
Director General Mines Safety (DGMS) under the Ministry of
Mines
Regional Transport Authority (RTA) under the Ministry of Surface
Transport
Director General Of Dock Safety (DGDS) under The Ministry of
Shipping

International Maritime Organization (IMO) under United Nations

Oil industry safety directorate (OISD) under the ministry of
petroleum and natural gas

OSHAs establishment
OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of
Labor.
The U.S. Congress, led by U.S. Senator Harrison A.
Williams Jr. and U.S. Representative William A. Steiger,
passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
(the OSH Act)1
to assure so far as possible every working
man and woman in the nation safe and
healthful working conditions and to preserve
our human resources.
The legislation, signed into law by President Richard
M. Nixon on Dec. 29, 1970, established OSHA
and its sole responsibility to provide worker safety
and health protection.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(U.S. Department of Labor)
More than three decades ago, the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of 1970 created the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration to help employers and
employees reduce injuries, illnesses, and deaths on the
job in America.

Since then, workplace fatalities have been cut by

62 percent and occupational injury and illness
rates have declined 40 percent.
OSHA provides national leadership in occupational
safety and health.
Every workplace is a community.
Safety and health add value to workplaces by
increasing morale, improving productivity, and

 The agency seeks to find and share the most

effective ways to get resultsto save lives and
prevent injuries and illnesses.
The message is simpleSafety and health add
value:
To your business.
To your workplace.
To your life.

Why OSHA is necessary

Until 1970, no uniform or comprehensive provisions
existed to protect against workplace safety and health
hazards.

At that time
Job-related accidents accounted for more than
14,000 worker deaths,
Nearly 2.5 million workers were disabled by
workplace accidents and injuries,
Ten times as many workdays were lost from jobrelated disabilities as from labor strikes, and
The estimated new cases of occupational diseases
totaled 300,000.

OSHAs impact
Since OSHAs creation in 1970, the nation has
made substantial progress in occupational
safety and health.
OSHA and its many partners in the public and
private sectors have:
Cut the work-related fatality rate by 62 percent,
Reduced overall injury and illness rates by 42
percent,
Virtually eliminated brown lung disease in the
textile industry, and
Reduced trenching and excavation fatalities by 35
percent.

 Hazards addressed
OSHA issues standards for a wide variety of
workplace hazards including:

Toxic substances,
Harmful physical agents,
Electrical hazards,
Fall hazards,
Trenching hazards,
Hazardous waste,
Infectious diseases,
Fire and explosion hazards,
Dangerous atmospheres, and
Machine hazards.

VARIOUS REGULATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS:

The different agencies of listed above framed various regulations
under their purview.
Needless to say that over the years, these agencies have played a
significant role in promoting industrial safety and environmental
protection in the hydrocarbon industry.
Important regulations are briefly discussed below.
PETROLEUM ACT , 1934
The statutory requirements of the petroleum are governed by
Petroleum Act, 1934 and Petroleum Rules 1976 under the
jurisdiction of Chief Controller of Explosives.

These rules deal with the Safety Guidelines/ Regulations for

import, transport,
storage, refining blending and

testing of petroleum and its fractions/ hydrocarbons.

 Under the Petroleum Act, the petroleum products

are classified into
Class-A having flash point below 23oC,
Class-B with flash point between 23oC to 65oC
Class-C having flash point between 63oC to 93oC
The petroleum rules, 1976 detail the procedures
and Safety Norms to be observed for
approval of containers, import, delivery
and dispatch, loading, transport, storage, refining
and blending of petroleum and
testing and maintenance of pipelines,
electrical apparatus and degree of safety and
license/ approval procedures, under these rules.

license is required for

Import, storage and refueling
Transport by ships/vessels in bulk
Decanting from tank trucks in unlicensed premises
Transport by pipelines
Refining and blending
Fabrication of tank trucks

Manufacture of safety fittings

Construction of tanks
Design of containers

THE INDIAN EXPLOSIVES ACT, 1884

The Compressed or Liquefied gas filled in containers
under pressure are notified by the Government of India as
explosives and brought under the purview of Explosive
Act., 1884 in 1938.
The Explosives used for various purposes like mines/ rock
blasting, crackers etc.
Various rules are framed under this act are contained in :
a) Indian Explosive Rules 1981
a) The Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels, SMPV Rules
1981

a) Gas Cylinder Rules , 1981

THE STATIC AND MOBILE PRESSURE VESSELES, SMPV (UNFIRED) RULES, 1981

These rules stipulate various safety guidelines for the storage and
transport of Compressed and Liquefied gases filled in pressure vessels
(exceeding 1000 liters capacity) at a pressure exceeding 1.5 kg/cm2
at 15 degrees celcius.
Under these rules the storage and transport vessel should be
designed for the specific gas, maximum operating temperature and
working pressure, proper material of construction, capacity shape,
sizes etc.
The vessel should be fabricated by an approved fabricator and installed
as per the safety distances stipulated in the rules.
The rules call for periodic re-examination/testing of the pressure vessel
and its fittings.

Indian Explosive Rules, 1981

These rules regulate the manufacturer, possession, use,
sale , transport and export / import of all types of
explosives used for various puposes like mines / rock
blasting, crackers.
The Gas Cylinder Rules, 1981

The provision of these Rules pertain to the filling, storage,

handling and transportatin of gases in gas cylinders
exceeding pressure of 1.5 kg/cm2 at 15 degree celciuos .
The rules regulate
a) the manufacture of cylinders, valves and regulator,
b) Stamping and color coding of cylinders
c) Import of gas cylinder
d) Testing of cylinders

THE FACTORIES ACT, 1948

The provisions of this act contained in different chapters on health,
safety and welfare are administered by the Chief Inspector of the
Factories in the respective state.
Each state has its own factories rules.
The act was revised in 1987 to include hazardous chemical
factories and some other amendments brought in the factories
rules of many sates in 1995
The factories act make the occupier of a factory fully responsible
for providing and maintaining the plant and the systems of work
that are safe and without any risks to the health and safety of the
workers and general public.

General responsibilities of occupier are listed below.

1. Declaring safety policy of the organization

2. Providing the material safety data sheet (MSDS) of each hazardous
chemicals
3. Every factory should have a well written on-site emergency plan,
clearly defining the role of different persons in case of an emergency.
The plan should be rehearsed every year and updated from time to
time.
4. Disclosures of information to workers, public and authorities. This
should include declaration of dangers/ health hazards and measures
to overcome such hazards.
5. A safety committee having equal representation of workers and
management should be in place. The meeting of this committee should
be held at least every quarter.

6. To maintain the limits of exposure

of chemicals and toxic
substances below the limit prescribed under the rules.
7. Medical checkup of the workers once before the employment and
once every six months for health status in case of specific health
hazards.
8. Setting up of medical/ occupational health center suitably equipped
with equipment and qualified medical personnel
9. Inspection , testing, examination and certification of equipment and
vessels etc. by competent persons approved by CIF.
10. Permit to work system should be in place with approved safety and
rescue equipment.

11. All work associated with entry or work in confined spaces, working
at heights, hot works, cutting and welding excavation and other
dangerous work should have predetermined safe work procedure and
should be undertaken under a written work permit signed by a qualified
supervisor.

12. Provide adequate fire protection system as per rules.

13. An emergency communication system alarm siren etc. should be in

place and everybody should know what to do in case of an alarm.
14. Safety manual containing the different safety procedures applicable
to the installation should be available to the workers.
15. Providing PPE to workers depending on the nature of hazard
involved
16. Display necessary precautionary notices and instructions (Safety
Signs and Colors) at prominent places to educate and warn the
workers and visitors against the hazard involved.
17. Appointing a qualified safety officer in the premises as per rules.
18. Providing welfare amenities like drinking water facilities, washing
facilities, mess room, toilets etc.
19. Sending any accidental report and notice of any poisoning or
occupational diseases

ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION:

Sustainable development and environmental legislation are important

issues for the development of the society.
Keeping this in view, government of India enacted the various
environmental legislations related to industrial projects activities.
These include:
The water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
The water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
The air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
The Environment ( protection) Act, 1986
The Environment (protection) Rules , 1986
Manufacture, storage, and import of hazardous chemicals Rules, 1989

Hazardous waste management ( management and handling) rules, 1989

Chemical accidents (emergency planning, preparedness and

response) rules, 1996
Biomedical waste (management and handling) rules, 1998
The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 and the Public Liability
Insurance rules, 1991
The critical requirements of this legislation for petroleum
industry are discussed separately.
Environmental clearance of project notification,1994 (EIA)

THE INDIAN BOILERS ACT, 1923

The Central government and the state government

independently, except Jammu and Kashmir where this act does
not apply, frame the act .
1. Each state has its own boilers regulations.
2. It is an obligatory for an owner to get his boiler registered
under this act.
Chief inspector of steam boilers in the state is the registering
authority.
3. The act stipulates requirement for safety of steam boilers and
steam pipes.
4. For the purpose of the act, a boiler means any closed vessel
exceeding 22.75 liters in capacity which is used exclusively for
generating steam under pressure.

5. A steam pipe under the act means any pipe through which a steam
passes from a boiler to a prime mover or other user if the pressure at
which steam passes through such pipe exceeds 3.5 kg/cm2 above
atmosphere or such pipes exceeds 254 mm in diameter
6. These regulations
workmanship of boilers.

covers

the

design,

construction

and

7. The regulations specify the stages and procedures for inspection of

new boilers and inspection frequency of boilers in operation.
8. The regulations also lay down procedure for testing and qualifying
welders who work on boilers.
9. A registered boiler is permitted for use of maximum period of one
year.

10. A working certificate showing validity period, maximum allowable

pressure etc. is issued after every annul inspection by the boiler
inspector.
11. The boiler owner is required to display the certificate so the boiler
attendants and other employees associated with boiler operation and
maintenance get familiar with the certificate.
12. As per the act the owner should provide a qualified person to take
charge of boiler.
13.A second class boiler attendant can take charge of a single boiler
or battery of three boilers, the total heating surface of which does not
exceeded 150 sq. meters.
14. A first class boiler attendant can take charge of a battery of
boilers, the total surface area of which does not exceed 700 square
meters.
15. A proficiency engineer should be appointed for boilers larger than
the above sizes.

16. The following acts/ omissions are treated as cognizable offence

under the act.

i) If it is not registered or not having the valid certificate

ii) Operating the boiler at pressure higher than that allowed in the
certificate
iii) Absence of duly qualified boiler attendant
iv) Carrying out structural alteration, addition or renewal in or to a boiler
without prior sanction of chief inspector
v) Failure to report any accident to boiler or steam pipe to inspector
within 24 hrs.
vi) Tampering with safety valves.

THE INDIAN ELECTRICITY ACT, 1910

1. The Central Electricity Board formulated the Indian electricity rules(I.E.

rules) in 1937 followed by amendments in 1956.
2. The objective of the I.E rules is to regulate the generation,
transmission, distribution and use of electricity in a safe manner.
3. The provisions of these rules are enforced in each state by the Chief
Electrical Inspector of the State.
4. It is mandatory that all the electrical installations should confirm to
requirements of the Indian electricity rules.
5. The I.E rules do not stipulate specific requirements of electrical
equipments and lines and due to this,
- The interpretation of the rules by the Electrical Inspectors is vary from
State to State.
7. The I.E rules do not cover the special requirement for electrical
equipment in hazardous locations encountered in petroleum installations.

THE OIL MINES REGULATIONS, 1984

These regulations were framed under sections 57 read with sections
59 of the Mines Act, 1952 and enforced in the 1984 in the oil industry.
1. In All the oil and gas exploration ,
drilling production and , transport facilities
including general Safety and Health education

governed by these regulations under the competent authority of the

Director General Mines and Safety (DGMS).
2. Although the Basic Safety requirements are stipulated in Oil mines
Regulations, 1984,
the specific requirements for certain systems like
Work Permit, Fire Fighting facilities are not covered.

THE INDIAN AIRCRAFT RULES, 1937

1. In exercise of the powers conferred by the sections 5,7, and 8 and
9A of the Indian Air Craft Act, the aircraft rules were framed in 1937,
which were amended several times the latest edition was updated in
1985.
2. It is mandatory that clearance to be obtained from the National Air
Port Authority of India, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, while
planning to any tall structure or building.

3. Air warning lights are stipulated in the rules to be complied with by

owners of such buildings.
4. The owner has to forward the layout drawings showing the
elevation details, dimensions and other details of the structures/
buildings in the prescribed format and submit to the nearest
Aerodrome Officer.
5. Only after receipt of the approval, the construction can be taken
up.

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION (IMO-1986)

It was originally known as IMCO, Inter- Governmental Maritime
Consultive Organization established in 1948 as a specialized agency of
United Nations, which was later changed to IMO.

It primarily works for

a) development of Maritime Regulations and
b) Standards for the Promotion of Maritime Safety
c) Prevention of pollution from ships.
These regulations and standards were adopted in conferences and
published by IMO.
Some important milestones achieved are.
Convention on the safety of life at sea in 1974(SOLAS74)

DOCK WORKERES (SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE) ACT, 1986

The dock workers (safety, health and welfare) regulations were
framed in 1990 under the above mentioned act.
Factory inspector does not have any jurisdiction on the Ports and
Docs.
Director general of Dock safety enforces, Safety requirements at
port/docks where crude and petroleum products moving through
ships are handled.
ATOMIC ENERGY ACT, 1962
The atomic energy rules were framed in 1971(revised in 1996) under
the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
Under these rules, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, AERB under
Bhabha Atomic Energy Commission, regulates the use of any
radioactive source in the country.

Radioactive sources are used in many petroleum installation

in radiography equipment, x-ray machines,
nucleonic level gauges and smoke detectors.

The use of any radiation (radioactive) source including its storage,

handling transportation and disposal must comply with the statuary
requirements of AERB.
Any installation using radiation sources must have an authorized
radiological safety officer ( RSO) trained, validated and certified by
radiation protection service division of Bhabha Atomic Energy
Commission.

MOTOR VEHICLES ACT, 1988

The transportation of hazardous products by road is
governed by Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988,
salient features of the rules include:
1. Educational qualifications of the drivers of the
goods carriages carrying dangerous or hazardous
goods.
2. Every drivers of such vehicles must have passed
mandatory three days training course from a
recognized school in addition to having his heavy
vehicle driving license.

3. Every vehicle carrying hazardous goods must display

mark of the class label appropriate to the type of
dangerous goods.
4. The vehicle should be marked emergency information
panel at three places on the vehicle.

5. His panel contains products technical name,

UN
identification number, HAZCHEM code. Emergency phone
number etc.
6. The vehicle must have TERM card Transport Emergency
Card available in the drivers cabin.
7. Every vehicle carrying hazardous goods must be
equipped with the prescribed safety equipment for the
preventing fire, explosion or escape of hazardous goods.
8. The vehicle should be fitted with a Spark arrester and
a Tech Graph ( an instrument to record the lapse of running of
the vehicle, time, speed maintained, acceleration/ declaration
etc.)

OIL INDUSTRY SAFETY DIRECTORATE:

1. Oil industry safety directorate , OISD is an advisory body

under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas.
2. Set up in the 1986 after Bhopal disaster, the directorate
(OISD) advises the oil and gas industry in India on all
matters of health , safety and environment.
3. All public sector ( PSU) oil companies are members of
OISD.
4. Private oil companies can also become members in case
they desire.
4. Unlike other regulatory agencies, OISD helps the member
oil and gas companies to enhance the level of safety through
self regulation.
5.
OISD
has
published
a
number
of
standard/
recommendations practice in siting of petroleum operation ,
philosophies, inspection, maintenance, fire protection etc.

6. It is obligatory for the member companies to use these

standard and recommended practices for new installations
and installation in operations.
7. Many other statuary agencies like CCE and
OISD
standards/recommended practices in their procedure and
requirements.
8. OISD has also published guidelines for internal and
external safety audits.
Based on these guidelines, formal safety audits of oil/gas
installations of various PSUs under Ministry of Petroleum &
Natural Gas are conducted periodically by an external team
under the leadership of OISD.

9. Petroleum organizations can use these guidelines for their

own internal audits.
10. OISD has also made a model disaster management plan
that can be used by an installation as guidelines for
developing its own disaster/ emergency management plan.

TARRIF ADVISORY COMITEE:

1. Tariff advisory committee, TAC, is an advisory body
formed to regulate rates, terms and conditions of business
of general insurance companies in India.
2. TAC approves and monitors various fire fighting facilities
and electrical installations in the industry.
3. Fire fighting manual first brought out in 1903 by Calcutta
fire association was revised, updated and issued by TAC in
1982 in two parts- Part I and part II.
4. These manuals lay down guidelines for design and
operation of private fire fighting facilities to be maintained
by the industry.
5. These guidelines have been used extensively in
petroleum installations.
6.
Based
on
the
degree of
compliance
to
the
recommendations of these manuals.
7. TAC makes periodical inspections of those installations
where rebates have been given.

PERMISSIONS AND APPROVALS FOR NEW PROJECTS:

Before setting up any oil or gas installations, the following
statuary approvals/permission have to be taken by the
organization.
Some of these approvals/ permission are also applicable for
undertaking a major expansions or revamp of existing
installations.
UNDER FACTORIES ACT-FROM CIF
1. Permission to construct, extend or take into use any
building as a factory.
2. Approval of site and building plans
2. Approval of site ( only for hazardous process units) by
state site approval committee
3. Certificate of stability of factory building
4. Application for registration and notice of occupation
5. Application for license/ renewals f license of a factory.

UNDER ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT- FROM MOEF AND

STATE PCBS
Notification of site in respect of hazardous chemicals
Environmental impact assessment
Environmental clearance from ministry of environment
and forests
NOC from state pollution control board
Consent for discharge of trade effluents
Consent for operations of plants ( in air pollution control
areas)
Authorization for handling hazardous waste in quantity
exceeding regulatory values.

UNDER EXPLOSIVES AND PETROLEUM ACTS- FROM CCE

License for manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport

and importation of explosives
License to import/store petroleum
License to carry petroleum by land license for filling and
possession of gas cylinders with compressed gases
License for transporting cylinders filled with compressed
gas
OTHER APPROVALS/PERMISSIONS/CLEARANCES
Beside the above, permissions, approvals/clearances
consent from other agencies listed below have to be taken
Certificate of authorization for use of boilers from the
states chief electoral inspector
Public liability insurance by owners handling hazardous
substances

Authorization from BARC (under the ministry of atomic

energy) for use of equipment/ instruments using radiation
sources.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE:
No doubt, as various regulations discussed above go in a
long way to increase the industrial safety standards, which
is very important for hazardous industry like petroleum
operations.
But the regulations will be useful and bring results only
when they are implemented in the right spirit.
It is the responsibility of the owner/ occupier of an
installation and their authorized officials to ensure that the
requirements of various regulations are fully complied
with.
Besides taking the necessary approvals, permission,
consents and clearances from the concerned authorities

In the recent past, the law has put lot of accountability

and liability on the part of senior management of an
organization in the compliance of various regulations, and
closure of installations.
The owner/occupier and other officials may even be put
behind the bars in serious violations.
Even the public awareness about the safety hazards and
environmental pollution from industrial activities has
increased significantly over time.
It is very easy these days for any person to file a PIL (
public interest litigation) suing an organization for
violation of any regulatory requirement.
The affected organization may get involved in lengthy
litigation casting lot of money harassment and loss of
image and reputation.
The management of every installation therefore should
ensue that the required regulations are fully complied

LIMITATIONS OF REGULATORY AGENCIES:

Over the years the regulatory agencies have played a
significant contribution in the promotion of industrial safety
in the petroleum industry in India.

Some limitations are:

1. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Most of the regulatory agencies lay down rules/regulations
which are the minimum basic requirements that are very
important in the safe design and operations of industrial
units.
They do not go into details of so many other requirements
pertaining to safe management of an installation.
For example, sound and safe engineering practices are
equally important but are not addressed in these
requirements

.
2. CHANGE IS SLOW:
Technological developments and social awareness bring in
new problems and challenges to the industry.
Adequate protection of society against new technological
hazards would depend upon the speed with which these
regulatory agencies can identify the new problems and
change the rules.
Since the provisions of these agencies cover a wide
spectrum of industry and any amendments has to go
through a lengthy legislative procedure, the statuary and
law enforcing agencies are generally slow in updating their
rules and requirements to keep pace with technological
and social changes.

Some of the requirements set forth in the regulations long

ago may not be relevant in the present context. For
example, Factory Act, since its inception in 1948,
underwent amendments only in 1954,1976 and 1987.
Petroleum rules were last revised in 1976. Environment
protection act came into being only in 1986.
The Indian electricity rules and Indian Boiler Regulations
have not seen any revision for more than 15 years.
INADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE:
Many regulatory agencies do not have and adequate
facilities and manpower to monitor and control the safety
performance of the industry on a continuous basis.
For example, the number of boiler inspectors in most
states is far less than required to undertake and
meaningful
inspection visits to a large number of
industrial units under their jurisdiction.

Thank You