Parliament Question: Accidents in Chemical and Fertilizer Factories

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICALS AND PETROCHEMICALS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1105 ANSWERED ON - 05/12/2025 ACCIDENTS IN CHEMICAL AND FERTILIZER FACTORIES 1105. DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN: Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS, be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the accidents that takes place in Chemical and Fertilizer factories and godowns in the country; (b) if so, the number of such accidents recorded during the last three years; (c) whether the safety standard is much below the benchmark or the stipulated safety standard is not followed in those companies; and (d) if so, the action taken on such companies for the lapses and new measures being taken to contain such accidents? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL) (a) and (b) The information regarding the number of accidents which have taken place in factories and godowns including the Chemical and Fertilizer industries is maintained by Ministry of Labour and Employment. The details of fatal and non-fatal injuries in all industries, as shared by Ministry of Labour and Employment, that have occurred during the three-year period as available are as under: Year 2021 2022 2023 2024 Fatal Injuries 988 1062 1127 757 Non-Fatal Injuries 2803 3006 2981 2255 Data Source: DGFASLI / MoLE (c) and (d) Details of various legislative measures that have been enacted to address the concerns relating to safety standards are as under:(i) The Factories Act, 1948 There are elaborate provisions under the Factories Act, 1948 and the Rules framed there under pertaining to health, safety, welfare, hazardous processes, working hours, penalties and procedures etc., to ensure safety and health of the workers in registered factories. The units which are violating the provisions of the Act and Rules are being prosecuted under the penal provisions i.e. Section 92 and 96A of the Factories Act, 1948. The said Act and the rules made thereunder are enforced by the State Governments concerned through the Chief Inspectors of Factories / Directorates of Industrial Safety and Health, who are empowered to take legal action against the occupier and manager of the factory for violations of the said Act and rules. (ii) Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (OSH&WC), 2020 The Central Government has enacted a comprehensive legislation i.e., the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (OSH&WC), 2020 for ensuring the occupational safety, health and working conditions of the persons employed in an establishment and the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The said Code empowers Central Government to declare occupational safety and health standards under section 18 of the OSH&WC Code, 2020 for workplaces relating to factories, mines, docks , buildings, construction sites and other establishments. Further, Section 34 of the Code provides for the appointment of Inspector- cum-Facilitator and Section 35 of the Code provides for powers of Inspector-cum-Facilitators for the effective enforcement of provisions of the OSH&WC, Code, 2020. (iii) The Manufacturing, Storage, and Import of Hazardous Chemicals (MSIHC) Rules, 1989. The MSIHC Rules, 1989 have also been made with the objective of preventing accidents in industrial installations and isolated storage handling the hazardous chemicals. The said rules provide for preparation of safety reports, safety audits, notification of accidents, preparation of on-site and off-site emergency plans, information sharing, etc. (iv) The Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) (CAEPPR) Rules, 1996 The CAEPPR Rules, 1996 is to prevent and respond to industrial chemical incidents. CAEPPR mandate the establishment of crisis management groups at the district level and require on-site emergency plans from chemical facilities and off-site plans from authorities.*****