MHA Issues New Guidelines for Reopening Manufacturing Units, Insists on Safety

In the wake of the Visakhapatnam gas leak incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 10 May, 2020 issued a set of detailed guidelines for the re-opening of industrial units after the lockdown is lifted on May 17.

The ministry has directed the industrial units to consider the first week of the opening of plants as the trial or test-run period and ensure that all safety protocols were followed. During this period, the manufacturing units are suggested not to make efforts to meet high production targets.

First week to be Trial period

The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed industrial units to consider the first week of the opening of plants as the trial or test-run period and ensure that all safety protocols were followed.

In a communique to all states and union territories, the NDMA said due to several weeks of lockdown and closure of industrial units, it is possible that some of the operators might not have followed the established standard operating procedures. As a result, some of the manufacturing facilities, pipelines and valves may have residual chemicals, which may pose risk. The same is true for the storage facilities with hazardous chemicals and flammable material, it said.

“To minimise possible risk, it is important that employees who work on specific equipment are sensitised and made aware of the need to identify abnormalities like strange sounds or smell, exposed wires, vibrations, leaks, smoke, abnormal wobbling, irregular grinding or other potentially hazardous signs, which indicate the need for immediate maintenance or if required, shutdown,” the MHA said in the guidelines.

Besides safety of plants, the MHA has also insisted that industrial units should ensure sanitisation of factory premises regularly and health checkup of workers as per the Health Ministry protocol.

According to the new guidelines, the factories need to maintain a sanitisation routine, especially in the common areas like lunchrooms and common tables, which will have to be wiped clean with disinfectant after every use.

Temperature of all employees has to be checked at the entrance of the premises twice a day and workers showing symptoms should not report to work. Hand sanitisers, mask and gloves have been made mandatory for all employees in all factories and manufacturing units. Managerial and administrative staff should work one shift at 33 per cent capacity as per the MHA guidelines.

As per the guidelines, industrial units have been asked to educate workers on the safety steps they have to follow during their stay at plants. The protocol also directs the units to ensure no sharing of tools or workstations as much as possible and provide additional sets of tools if needed.

Dos and don’ts

· Temperature check twice a day

· Hand sanitisers, mask and gloves mandatory

· Regular sanitisation of factory premises

· Cleaning of common areas, like lunchrooms, with disinfectant after every use

· Managerial, administrative staff to work one shift at 33% capacity