The Kollam district administration has decided to revise the existing off-site plan to respond to chemical emergencies and carry out subsequent rescue operations.
The emergency response plan is being updated to include more detailed information about the chemicals used in industries and those transported through roads and railways within the district.
A crisis group meeting chaired by District Collector N.Devidas has instructed the Fire and Rescue Services, Police, Health, Local Self-Governments, Agriculture, and Animal Husbandry departments, along with the Regional Transport Office, Kerala Water Authority, Pollution Control Board, Railway, BSNL, Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML), Chavara, and safety officials of the Indian Oil Indane bottling plant in Parippally to submit updated plans by January 10, according to a press release on Saturday.
The revised plan will have emergency procedures, evacuation routes in case of a gas leak, site-specific details, the extent and nature of the accident, emergency response capabilities, treatment protocols, availability of essential medicines, details of external organisations that can assist during emergencies, availability of vehicles, details of specially trained personnel, mock drill conduct, and plans for a quick and efficient response to disasters.
The LPG tanker accident in Kottarakara on April 12 and the leak from the KMML plant on September 2 highlight the urgent need for the district to enhance its preparedness to handle chemical disasters. The District Disaster Management Authority, headed by the District Collector, is in charge of formulating a comprehensive plan. The Factories and Boilers inspector is the member secretary of the district crisis group.
The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical (MSIDHC) Rules, 1989, and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, outline the procedures to be adopted to prevent disasters caused by handling of hazardous chemicals and on how to respond effectively to such incidents.
Published – December 21, 2024 07:31 pm IST