Ministry of Steel to Set Up Apex Safety Council for the Steel Industry

The Ministry of Steel has decided to create an apex-level safety body for the steel sector, to be known as the Steel Industry Safety Council (SISC), which will function under the administrative control of the Ministry.

The Council's mandate covers strengthening safety standards and practices, preventing accidents and building safety awareness across the industry.

Composition

The SISC will be chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Steel. Its membership will bring together senior Ministry officials, the chief executives of integrated steel producers, and representatives of key technical and statutory organisations, including the Directorate General of Mines Safety, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation, the National Disaster Management Authority and recognised steel technology institutions.

Functions

The Council will assess the safety situation in the steel industry, facilitate studies and improvements in safety practices, and approve industry safety standards and recommended practices. It will also review serious accidents, other accidents and near-miss incidents, and issue directions for strengthening safety awareness, training and preventive measures.

Supporting directorate

A Steel Industry Safety Directorate (SISD) will be set up to provide technical and professional support to the Council. The Directorate will draw on expertise in process safety, blast furnaces, steel melting, rolling mills, coke ovens, refractory systems, electrical and mechanical safety, occupational health, fire engineering and disaster management.

The SISD will oversee the implementation of the Council's decisions, conduct periodic safety audits and reviews, maintain and disseminate information on accidents and near-miss events, investigate serious safety incidents, and review emergency preparedness and safety training programmes. It will also develop and issue Steel Industry Safety Standards, Recommended Practices and Guidelines suited to Indian conditions.

The creation of the two bodies is intended as an institutional step towards a stronger safety culture, better prevention of industrial accidents and more consistent safety practices across India's steel industry.