Following the massive fire at the Indian Oil depot in Jaipur, the ministry of petroleum and natural gas will be seeking Cabinet approval to strengthen the Oil Industry Safety Directorate, by giving it statutory powers through legislation. The move is intended to enforce safety standards and penalise companies flouting norms.
“The idea has been welcomed by both public and the private sector companies. We are drafting a Bill to give legal status to OISD, following which it can enforce safety norms and take action against the defaulters,” said a ministry official.
The Bill could be tabled in Parliament in the Budget session next year. The fire led to a loss of 11 lives and destroyed products worth Rs 191 crore, besides damaging assets of the company and adjoining business establishments.
OISD is currently a technical directorate under the ministry. It formulates and coordinates the implementation of regulatory measures aimed at enhancing safety in oil and gas industry. And, appoints independent safety auditors to regularly audit oil and gas installations.
In the wake of the Jaipur accident, the government had also asked all oil and gas installations to get their safety audit done on a quarterly basis. All major as well as minor incidents in such installations in the country, including that of private companies, are now required to be reported to OISD.
All oil and gas installations and transportation systems have been directed to carry out self-safety audit conforming to statutory norms and risk assessment, including OISD standards, by the end of this month. Oil companies will give the reports to OISD, which will give a consolidated one to the ministry.
All companies have been asked to promote safety consciousness and training on safety requirements at all levels and convey the message of zero tolerance in safety matters.