FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY

1. Major Accident Hazard

2. Diploma in Industrial Safety
3. Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical (MSIHC) Rules, 1989
4. Factories Act
5. Training Programmes
6. Post Your Questions

Major Accident Hazard

Q. What is Hazard Operability Study ?

A. The application of a formal systematic critical examination to the process and

engineering intentions of new or existing facilities to assess the hazard potential of
mal-operation or mal-function of individual items of equipments and their
consequential effects on the facility as a whole.

Q. What are source models ?

A. Source models represent the material release process. They provide useful
information for determining the consequences of an accident, including the rate of
material release, the total quantity released and the physical state of the material.

Q. What are dispersion models ?

A. Dispersion models describe the airborne transport of toxic/inflammable materials

away from the accident site and into the plant and community.

Q. What is explosion ?

A. The uncontrolled release of energy from a flame front propagating through

flammable medium and characterized by the generation of heat, light and pressure.

Q. What is Risk ?

A. Risk is defined as a measure of economic loss or human injury in terms of both the
likelihood and the magnitude of the loss or injury.

Q. What is risk assessment ?

A. Risk assessment includes accident scenario identification and consequence

analysis. Scenario identification describes how an accident occurs. It frequently
includes an analysis of the probabilities. Consequence analysis describes the
damage expected. This includes lose of life, damage to the environment or capital
equipments and days outage.

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Q. What is Occupational Safety and Health Audit ?

A. A systematic, objective and documented evaluation of the occupational safety and

health systems and procedures

Q. What is Occupational safety and health management system ?

A. A part of the overall management system that facilitates the management of OSH
and risks associated with the business of the organization

Q. What is Maximum Credible Loss Scenario (MCLS) study ?

A. MCLS is described as the worst “credible” accident or as an accident with a

maximum damage distance, which is still believed to be possible.

Q. What is flammability limits ?

A. The concentration of a mixture of flammable vapor or gas in air (% by volume of

vapor to air) in which a flash will occur or a flame will travel if the mixture is ignited

Diploma In Industrial Safety (Adis) Course

Q. Can I get this course in the evening or part-time ?

A. No, ADIS course runs during day (full time) from Monday to Friday (daily from 0930
hrs to 1800 hrs.)

Q. What is the exact duration of the course ?

A. The entire course takes one year

Q. Can I pay Institute fee (Rs. 5000/-) by installment ?

A. No, Institute fees is to be paid in full at the time of admission

Q. What is the job opportunity after passing the course ?

A. This is a statutory requirement for appointment of Safety Officer in Factory/Dock

etc.

Q. Can I do this course while continuing my job in an office/factory, etc. ?

A. The student is to maintain certain minimum percentage of attendance to sit in the

examination at the end of the course

Q. Can I do this course in Hindi or Regional Language ?

A. No, the entire course is designed to run in English only.

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Q. Can I do this course in correspondence ?

A. No, it is a full time regular course at Central Labour Institute, Mumbai

Q. Can I do project work in an industry other than where I am working ?

A. The student will have to do the project work in an industry on the basis of actual
assignment given by the project guide.

Q. Is this course affiliated to the State Government or AICTE?

A. The course is affiliated to the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education,

Mumbai

Q. Who conducts the examination and awards Diploma certificate of this course
?

A. Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education, Mumbai conducts the

examination and awards certificate of this course.

Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazarous Chemical (MSIHC) Rules,

1989

Q. Which types of industrial activities are covered under the MSIHC Rules ?

A. The following activities are covered under MSIHC

(a) (a) An operation or process listed in Schedule 4 carried out in an

industrial installation involving one or more hazardous chemicals

(b) (b) An isolated storage involving one or more hazardous chemicals listed
in Schedule 2, and

(c) (c) Pipeline for conveyance of a hazardous chemical other than the
flammable gas at a pressure of less than 8 bars absolute

Q. Which chemicals are covered under MSIHC Rules ?

A. The chemicals fulfilling the criteria given in Part I and/or listed in Part II of Schedule
I and chemicals listed in Schedule 2 and 3 are covered under MSIHC Rules

Q. How does an occupier know that which provisions/rules are applicable to his
factory?

A. If one of the operations or processes listed in Schedule 4 is carried out in a factory

involving one or more hazardous chemicals, an occupier has to first ascertain the
category to which his factory belongs i.e. whether the factory comes under lower-
tier, middle-tier or higher-tier because the requirements/ provisions are different for
different categories of factories

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Q. Which are the three categories of factories ?

A. The three categories of factories are given below :

Lower-tier Factory
Factories wherein an operation/process given in Schedule 4 is carried out involving
one or more chemicals which satisfies any of the criteria laid down in Part I of
Schedule I and/or listed in Column 2 of Part II of Schedule I irrespective of quantity
of hazardous chemicals stored inside the factory, fall under this category.

Middle-tier Factory
Factories wherein an operation/process given in Schedule 4 is carried out involving
one or more chemicals in quantities equal to or more than the quantity given in
Column 3 of Schedule 2, fall under this category

Higher-tier Factory
Factories wherein an operation/process given in Schedule 4 is carried out involving
one or more chemicals in quantities equal to or more than the quantity given in
Column 4 of Schedule 2, fall under the category

Q. Which are the specific rules to be complied with for different categories of
factories?

A. Category Provisions/Rules of MSIHC applicable

Lower-tier 4, 5 and 17
Middle-tier 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15 & 17
Higher-tier 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 17

Q. What are the requirements under different rules?

A. Rule 4 : General Responsibility of the Occupier –

(i) (i) To identify major accident
(ii) (ii) To prevent major accident and
(iii) (iii) Provide the workers information, training and equipment

Rule 5 : Notification of major accident in Schedule 6

Rule 6 : Industrial activity to which rules 7 to 15 apply

Rule 7 : Approval and notification of sites in Schedule 7

Rule 8 : Updation of notification following changes in T.Q.

Rule 9 : Transitional provisions

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 Rule 10 : Safety Reports/Safety Audit Reports with help of expert : Safety
Reports in Schedule 8. Safety Audit every year

Rule 11: Updating of reports under Rules 10

Rule 12: Requirements for further information to be sent to the authority

Rule 13: Preparation of on-site emergency plan by the occupier in Schedule

11(i). Authority to ensure a rehearsal of the plan at least once in a
calendar year

Rule 14: Preparation of off-site emergency plan by the Authority in Schedule

12(i). Authority to ensure a rehearsal of the plan at least once in a
calendar year

Rule 15: Information to be given to persons liable to be affected by a major

accident

Rule 17: Collection, development and dissemination of information in Schedule

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Q. What constitutes a major accident OR what is the definition of major

accident?

A. “Major accident” means an incident involving loss of life inside or outside the
installation, or ten or more injuries inside and/or one or more injuries outside or
release of toxic chemicals or explosion or fire or spillage of hazardous chemicals
resulting in on-site or off-site emergencies or damage to equipment leading to
stoppage of process or adverse affects to the environment

Q. Which type of factories are to be notified and by whom and when?

A. An occupier of middle or higher-tier factory should submit a written report to the

concerned authority i.e. the Chief Inspector of Factories of the State where the
factory is located in Schedule 7 at least 3 months before the commencement of that
activity.

Q. Who should notify the major accident and to whom? What is the time limit for
notifying major accident?

A. An occupier shall notify the major accident within 48 hours to the concerned
authority (the Chief Inspector of Factories in case of factory) and furnish thereafter a
report relating to the accident in Schedule 6.

Q. How does an occupier know whether he has to prepare an on-site emergency

plan?

A. If the factory is middle or higher-tier factory, the occupier has to prepare on-site
emergency plan.

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Q. What is the role of an occupier of a major accident hazard installation in
preparation of off-site emergency plan?

A. An occupier of a major accident hazard installation has to provide such information

relating to industrial activity under his control to the concerned authority i.e. the
District Emergency Authority/District Collector as may be required including the
nature, extent and likely effects of site of possible major accident.

Q. How often a mock drill/rehearsal of on-site emergency plan should be done?

A. The mock drill of the on-site emergency plan shall be conducted every 6 months

Q. Who is responsible for conduct of mock drill of on-site emergency plan?

A. An occupier is responsible for conduct of mock drills of on-site emergency plan

Q. Who is responsible for organizing rehearsal of the off-site emergency plan

and what is the frequency?

A. The District Emergency Authority /District Collector is responsible for conduct of

rehearsal of off-site emergency plan and the frequency is at least once in a
calendar year.

Q. Whether safety report and safety audit report are needed for every MAH
installation OR how does an occupier know whether he has to get the safety
report and the safety audit report prepared?

A. No. It is not required for every MAH installation. The Safety Reports and Safety
Audit Reports are required to be prepared by an occupier of higher-tier factories

Q. What is the frequency of safety report and safety audit report?

A. The Safety Report shall be prepared in the prescribed format given in Schedule 8 at
least 90 days before the commencement of the activity. The Safety Audit should be
carried out and the Safety Audit Report shall be updated once in a year.

Q. What are the duties of the authorities?

A. The duties of the authorities are :

(a) (a) Inspect the industrial activity at least once in a calendar year

(b) (b) Report on compliance of Rules by the occupiers to the Ministry of

Environment and Forests, through appropriate channel annually

(c) (c) On receipt of report on major accident, undertake full analysis of the
major accident and send requisite information within 90 days to MOE&F
through appropriate channel

(d) (d) Compile information regarding major accidents and make a available
copy to MOE&F through appropriate channel
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 (e) (e) Inform in writing to occupier of any lacunae to be rectified to avoid major
accidents

(f) (f) Approve the notification of sites within 60 days from the date of receipt.
Report if notices contravention and issue improvement notice within 45 days of
the receipt of the report

(g) (g) Prepare and keep up-to-date off-site emergency plan and ensure that
rehearsal of off-site plan is conducted once in a year.

Factories Act 1948

Q. Q. Do a hand driven lifting equipment need certification from competent

person under article 29 of Factories Act?

A. A. Section 29 of the Factories Act deals with lifting machines and lifting tackles
which are defined under explanation. In our opinion hand driven lifting equipment
does not require certification.

Q. Q. Definition of “worker” under Factories Act 1948 & Maharashtra

Factories Rules? Whether officers/executives are to be considered for
calculation of the employment strength with regard to recruitment of Welfare
Officer under the Act?

A. A. Under the Factories Act, definition of “worker” is clearly given. For the
purpose of calculation of employment strength, officers and executives etc. have to
be taken into account.

Q. Which type of establishments are covered under the Factories Act?

A, The term “factory” is defined in Section 2(m) of the Factories Act, 1948. It means
that in any premises if 10 or more workers are engaged in a manufacturing process
with aid of power or if 20 or more workers are engaged in the manufacturing
process without aid of power such premises will be covered under the Factories,
1948

Q. Whether a child is allowed to work in a factory?

A. The child below 14 years of age is not allowed to work in any factory.

Q. Whether a woman is allowed to work in a factory?

A. The women are allowed to work in any factory except between the hours of 7 pm to
6 am i.e. women are not allowed to work during night time. However, there are
certain operations/processes, which are considered hazardous. In such
operations/processes women are not allowed to work.

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Q. What are the weekly hours of work in a factory?

A. No adult is allowed to work in a factory for more than 48 hours in any week.

Q. What are the daily hours of work?

A. No adult worker is allowed to work in a factory for more than 9 hours in any day.

Q. Which authority enforces the Factories Act 1948?

A. The Factories Act and the rules framed thereunder are enforced by respective
states/UTs. through the office of Chief Inspector of Factories under the Labour
Department of the State Government/UTs.

Q. Whether a place wherein a manufacturing process are carried out with or

without the aid of power employing less than 10 or 20 workers respectively
can be covered under the Factories Act?

A. The State Government is empowered to declare that al or any of the provisions of

the Act shall apply to any place wherein manufacturing process carried out
irrespective of number of workers employed therein.

Q. Whether a workshop of a teaching institute employing more than 10 workers

will be in a factory?

A. The State Government may exempt with certain conditions, in workshops whether
manufacturing processes are carried out for purposes of education, training,
research or reformation from all or any of the provisions of this Act.

Q. Whether the approval, licensing and registration of a factory are compulsory?

A. Yes, It is compulsory. The approval, license and registration of a factory is

compulsory before starting the manufacturing process. The occupier of the factory
should submit the plan to the Chief Inspector of the State for approval. After the
approval, the licensee will be granted by the CIF and the factory will be registered.

Q. What are the various provisions to be abided by the occupier of the factory?

A. There are many provisions, which are to be strictly followed by the occupier. The
details are available in a publication known as the Factories Act, 1948. There are
120 sections divided into 11 chapters, which can be referred for detailed
information.
Training Programmes
Q. Q. How often is the workshop for Safety Committee Members held and
how many participants do you accept? What are the fees charged,
programme duration, course contents?

A. A. The workshop for Safety Committee Members is conducted twice in a year.

No. of participants would be around 25-30 per batch. The fee charged would be
Rs.800/- (institute fee) + Rs.1200/- (course fee) per participant (under revision).
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 The duration of the workshop is three days and the contents of the workshop would
cover the role of safety committee members in a participative forum.

Q. Q. What is the eligibility criteria for “Advanced Training Programme on

Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine for Medical Officers”?
Where is it run, what is the duration of the programme? Is this a follow-up
course to the three-month programme that DGFASLI organizes? How many
applicants do you accept and what is the course content of the programme?

A. A. Advance Training Programme on Occupational Health & Environmental

Medicine :

Eligibility : Doctors with MBBS qualification

Duration : 2 weeks
No. of part. : Around 20
Fees : Institute fee: Rs.1700/- Per participant (Under revision)
Course fee: Rs.2800/- Per participant (Under revision)
Contents : Lectures, visits, discussions, films, laboratory
demonstrations

3 months Post Graduate Certificate Course in Industrial Health

Eligibility : MBBS degree – Completion of internship: registration with

Medical Council of India and experience of 2 years in this
field
Duration : 3 months
No. of part. : 50
Fees : Institute fee: Rs.1200/- Per participant (Under revision)
Course fee: Rs.3000/- Per participant (Under revision)
Contents : Lectures, tutorials, demonstrations, visits, laboratory
exercises. A Project work is also to be done as a part
of the programme
Selection : By interviews of short listed candidates
Examination : At the end of the course, the successful candidates will
be awarded a certificate

Q. Q. What additional content does the course on “One month specialised

certificate course for supervisors working in hazardous process industries”
provide beyond the Diploma in Industrial Safety that is offered by DGFASLI.
What is the fee for this programme and how many applicants do you accept?
How many times each year is it offered and which offices of DGFASLI offers
it?

A. A. With regard to One Month Specialised Certificate Course for Supervisors

working the hazardous process industries, there are no additional contents being
provided beyond the contents covered under “Diploma in Industrial Safety Course”
conducted by this institute.

Eligibility : A Bachelor’s degree with Chemistry or Diploma in

Chemical Engineering or Technology with not less than
5 years experience
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 OR
A Post Graduate Degree in Chemistry or a Bachelor’s
Degree in Chemical Engineering or Technology with not
less than two years experience.
Duration : 1 month
Periodicity : Yearly
No.of part. : 40 (Not more than 5 applicants from a single organization)
Fees : Institute fee: Rs.1000/- Per participant (Under revision)
Course fee: Rs.1500/- Per participant (Under revision)

NOTE: The experience stipulated above shall be in process operation and

maintenance in Chemical industry.

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