Government proposes safety rating system for chemical plants

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India (GoI), has proposed a rating system for safety & security of chemical plants in the country. The department has already prepared a draft for the purpose, and has requested all concerned Ministries/Departments, Industrial Associations, Industries and citizens to send their suggestions or comments by the end of October 2013. The department after receiving the comments from various sources will incorporate them to come out with the final ‘Chemical Plant Safety and Security Rating System’, according to a Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers press release.
 
The rating system aims to propagate the need for zero accidents and to incentivise the units having best safety operational measures. The draft Rating System envisages a 2-stage methodology for assessment of safe & secure performance of a facility. The first stage acts as a screening mechanism to filter out organisations that do not meet even the basic requirements of safety & security systems essential for a chemical, petrochemical, and petroleum industry. The second stage is a rigorous assessment to benchmark the various safety & security systems being practiced by the organisation against the framework stipulated in this document.
 
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The draft Rating System consists of 19 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and is intended to be used as an assessment tool for rating the chemical organisations in respect of the practices followed by them. The draft document envisages a star rating system to grade the chemical plants according to their performance.
 
“Inadequate awareness about handling of hazardous chemicals and products may lead to serious accidents with severe consequences on people, property and the environment. The rating system facilitates safe & secure handling, storage and processing of hazardous chemicals and in avoiding accidents and occupational diseases,” added the release.