Question : Accidents at Steel Plants

(a) the details of the public sector Steel plants including Bhilai Steel plant of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) where accidents have taken place during each of the last three years and the current year, plant-wise;
(b) the details of the investigation carried out in the said accidents along with remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard;
(c) whether any decision has been taken to change the old gas pipe lines in these plants and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the safety department is providing gas masks with portable gas monitors to the labourers deployed in potential gas reserve field and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a) A statement showing details of accidents which occurred in different public sector steel plants of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) during the requisite period is annexed. The accidents at these plants have occurred due to reasons such as fall from height, gas poisoning, electrocution, burn injury, fire/explosion etc.

(b) All fatal accidents are investigated by Plant level enquiry committee which ascertains the causes of such accidents and suggests measures for preventing recurrence. In serious accident cases, High Level Inquiry is ordered by the Ministry in addition to the Plant Level Inquiry and the Inquiry ordered by the State Government / Local Authorities. The recommendations of the Inquiry Committee are implemented, monitored and reviewed at appropriate levels in Plants / units for their timely compliance.

Both SAIL and RINL have taken a number of measures to avoid occurrence of accidents. These measures, inter-alia, include adherence to maintenance schedule, thrust on systematic approach to safety management, strict adherence to safety procedures, regular inspection, mandatory training and special training on safety awareness, conduct of safety audit, enforcing use of personal protection equipments and proper implementation of emergency plan prepared as per the provisions of the Factories Act, 1948 etc.

(c) The health of gas pipe lines is closely monitored for maintenance in healthy condition through regular inspection and preventive maintenance, periodic Non-destructive tests (NDT) etc. As part of preventive maintenance and also taking the NDT into account, section of gas pipe line is planned / changed in a phased manner by following proper safety protocol.

(d) Gas masks and adequate portable gas monitors are provided to the work persons deployed in potential gas reserve field as per standard protocol.

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