India: Aftermath of Jaipur Fire Accident & Health & Safety Issues

The Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Murli Deora  took a meeting of the Chief Executives of various oil companies both public and private including multinationals here today to review Safety & Security aspects of Oil & Gas Sector. The meeting was called in the wake of fire accident at IOC’s oil depot near Jaipur and to take stock of the safety preparedness of the Indian oil and gas industry. The meeting was informed that earlier in a meeting of Deora with the Rajasthan Energy Minister, it was decided that IOC would pay Rs500mn as an immediate relief to various affected units through RIICO (Rajasthan Industrial Development and Investment Corporation).

Following is the text of the statement by the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Murli Deora  at the meeting to review Safety & Security aspects of Oil & Gas Sector :

“An incident of fire took place at around 7 p.m. on 29th October, 2009 at the IOC’s terminal at Sitapura, Jaipur.  The Chief Minister of Rajasthan and IOC officials informed me of the incident around 7.30 p.m. on the same day.  The oil company officials were immediately asked to take necessary steps to provide medical help to all the injured, liaise with the State Government and take necessary steps to control fire by moving experts from locations like Mathura, Panipat, Delhi and Hazira.  Director (M) of IOC was asked to proceed immediately to Jaipur to supervise the operations.  I myself reached the depot in the morning of 30th Oct.’09 accompanied by the Chairman of IOC and senior officers from the Ministry and the Rajasthan Government to review the fire situation and the steps taken to control the fire.  I also visited the hospitals where the injured were admitted to ensure about their condition and ensure that necessary medical help and facilities are being provided.  A meeting was held with the Chief Minister, Rajasthan.  An ex-gratia payment of Rs. 10 lakh to those who lost their life, Rs. 2 lakh to seriously injured and Rs. 1 lakh to those with minor injuries, was announced in addition to the compensation being offered by the State Government.

A seven member committee chaired by Shri M.B. Lal, ex-CMD, HPCL, was formed on the same day on 30th Oct.’09 to inquire into the fire accident and suggest remedial measures to prevent reoccurrence.  The Committee would submit its report within 60 days.  The Committee has already started work and has visited Jaipur on 2nd Nov.’09.

This weeks  meeting has been called to review the safety to installations in the oil sector including in the private sector.  The MoP&NG through the Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) is committed to the safety of all the oil installations and will work to evolve standards and ensuring compliance in coordination with all stake holders including the private sector and the State Governments.  A safety audit of all oil installations would be carried out.  In this particular incident, the Ministry will work in close coordination with the State Government of Rajasthan to provide medical assistance to all those who are injured and compensation according to the norms for those who have suffered losses because of the fire”.

The  following decision points emerged from the meeting :

All Oil and gas installations in the country will carry out self safety audit confirming to statutory norms including OISD standards by 31st December, 2009.  The Oil companies will submit the reports to OISD which in turn will submit a consolidated report to MOP&NG.

The decision taken in the 27th Meeting of Safety Council held on 18th September, 2009 in MOP&NG regarding empowerment of OISD with statutory status would be expedited.  OISD will be further strengthened with additional manpower from Oil companies.

All Oil and gas companies in the country must have their standard operating procedures (SOPs) for operations and maintenance practices for all countrywide installations/set-ups under due technical supervision and attention.  A strict implementation of such standard operating procedure (SOPs) will be ensured.  All Oil and gas companies will submit reports on having SOPs and its due implementation to OISD by December 31st, 2009.

All Oil and gas installations will have their safety audit done on quarterly basis.  All major as well as minor incidents in any such installations/setups in the country including that of private companies will be reported to OISD.

PetrolWorld 041109