(a) whether the incidents of poisonous gas leakage have occurred
in various parts of the country;
(b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether any inquiry has been conducted into these incidents;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the remedial measures taken by the Government to check the recurrence of such incidences?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) to (e): As per the information provided by the State Government
Labour Departments, there have been cases of gas leakages in different
States. The main reasons for the gas leakage include non availability
or non-functioning of adequate process control systems, smoke detectors
for early detection of fire, fire control and fire combat facilities;
run away chemical reactions; unprecedented scenario of vapour cloud
explosion, etc. The inquiries into such gas leakages are undertaken
by concerned departments and agencies.
The State Government Labour Departments are vested with the responsibility
of implementation of the Factories Act, 1948, rules made thereunder,
and the provisions of the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous
Chemicals Rules, 1989. Workshops, training programmes for workers, safety
awareness campaigns, special safety drives, mock drills of on-site
emergency plan, etc. are organised by State Government Labour Departments.