Why in the News?
- The Ministry of Steel has decided to establish the Steel Industry Safety Council (SISC) as an apex-level industry safety body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel.
- The initiative aims to strengthen safety standards, accident prevention, safety practices and safety awareness across India’s steel industry.
Key Highlights
- SISC will function as an apex-level industry safety body.
- It will be headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Steel as Chairman.
- Members will include:
- Senior officials of the Ministry of Steel
- Chief Executives of integrated steel producers
- Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS)
- Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
- Recognised steel technology institutions
- Key functions of SISC:
- Assess safety conditions in the steel industry.
- Facilitate studies and improvements in safety practices.
- Approve industry safety standards and recommended practices.
- Review serious accidents, accidents and near-miss incidents.
- Strengthen safety awareness, training and preventive measures.
Steel Industry Safety Directorate (SISD)
- A Steel Industry Safety Directorate (SISD) will provide technical and professional support to SISC.
- Expertise will cover:
- Process safety
- Blast furnaces
- Steel melting
- Rolling mills
- Coke ovens
- Refractory systems
- Electrical and mechanical safety
- Occupational health
- Fire engineering
- Disaster management
- SISD will:
- Implement SISC decisions.
- Conduct periodic safety audits and reviews.
- Maintain and disseminate accident and near-miss information.
- Investigate serious safety incidents.
- Review emergency preparedness and safety training.
- Develop and issue Steel Industry Safety Standards, Recommended Practices and Guidelines suited to Indian conditions.
Prelims Quick Revision
- SISC is an apex-level safety body for the steel industry.
- SISC will function under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel.
- Secretary, Ministry of Steel will be its Chairman.
- DGMS, PESO and NDMA are among the organisations represented in the Council.
- SISD will provide technical and professional support to SISC.
- SISD will conduct safety audits, investigate serious incidents and maintain accident and near-miss information.
- SISC will approve industry safety standards and recommended practices.
- SISD will develop safety standards and guidelines suited to Indian conditions.
UPSC Prelims Trap
- SISC vs SISD: SISC is the apex-level Council, while SISD is the technical and professional support Directorate.
- DGMS is included in SISC, but the article does not state that DGMS will chair the Council.
- SISC is under the Ministry of Steel, not described as an independent statutory regulator.
- Near-miss incidents are explicitly included in the safety review framework, alongside accidents and serious accidents.
