Wednesday, 6 August 2014

Step to Avoid Gas Leakage in Steel Plants

The Minister of State for Steel, Mines and Labour and Employment, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has said that steel is a deregulated sector and there are large number of private sector steel plants in the country. No data is maintained with regard to the accidents in the private sector steel plants across the country. As regards steel manufacturing public sector undertakings are concerned, the Government is aware of the recent gas leakage resulting in loss of lives in Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) (16.06.2014) and Bhilai Steel Plant of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) (12.06.2014). High Level Inquiry Committees have been constituted to investigate into the incidents.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has said that  Further, the following steps have been taken to avoid recurrence of such accidents in future:-  

(i) Periodic checking of gas pipe lines & associated equipment is done and timely repair of gas network based on scheduled pipeline line inspections.

(ii) Gas jobs in live lines & isolated lines are carried out by adhering to Standard Maintenance Practices, Protocols are closely monitored.

(iii) Ensuring usage of gas Safety Equipment/items like Breathing apparatus, Carbon monoxide monitors, Oxygen monitors, Multi gas detectors, Carbon monoxide tubes, Explosimeter, Soda lime for breathing apparatus etc.

(iv) Automatic gas leak detection alarms are provided in hazardous areas.

(v) Periodical mock-drills are being conducted as per the Emergency Plan to check the preparedness.

(vi) Online Gas analyzers installed in critical gas prone areas and control rooms.

(vii) Self-contained breathing apparatus are kept in important control rooms in order to use in case of gas leakage.

(viii) Enforcing usage of job specific personal protective equipment like self-contained breathing apparatus, canisters, etc.

(ix) Spreading Gas safety awareness through training programs and workshops for employees and contract workers.

(x) Portable Gas Detectors (CO, O2, Combustible) were procured and issued to the persons working in Gas prone areas.

(xi) Thickness of the gas lines is being measured periodically by NDT in order to take corrective actions.

(xii) All the corroded gas lines are being changed with proper shutdowns.

(xiii) Gas safety van is available round the clock. Gas Safety personnel are posted round the clock in different zones.

(xiv) Third party Risk Assessment and studies are being conducted for all the newly commissioning units.

(xv) Dedicated hot line communication system has been established between Blast Furnace, BF Gas Cleaning Plant and Pump House to ensure immediate action.

Courtesy: pib.nic.in

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