Lok Sabha Question No. 173 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: Atomic Energy Factory Rules
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 173

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2018

## ATOMIC ENERGY FACTORY RULES

## 173. SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Atomic Energy Factories Rules 1996 is amended to permit women workers to be engaged in night shift duties;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  whether  the  Government  intends  to amend it in future;
- (c) whether  Indian  Courts  have  stipulated  any  guidelines  to  be  adopted  while deploying  women workers for night  shift  duties  till  the  amendment  of  rules or bringing out rules and if so, the essentials, substances of the guidelines, implementation mechanisms, etc.; and
- (d) whether  Department  of  Atomic  Energy  /  Bhabha  Atomic  Research  Centre engaged  women  workers  in  night  shift  duties  for  reactor  operation  and maintenance  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  guidelines adopted by the courts are in force and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a)to(c)      Department  is  already  taking  adequate  care  to  ensure  safe  working environment for women employees working in night shifts.  Some of the them  include  separate  transportation  facility with  escort  and  Global Positioning System (GPS) based monitoring, separate canteen and locker facilities,  proper  restrooms,  proper  lighting  facilities  in  and  around  work place, working arrangement in groups and monthly meeting for grievances redressal.  These  provision  also  conform  to  the  stipulated  advice  of Hon'ble High Court.

As  of  now  no  further  change  in  Atomic  Energy  Factory  Rules  1996  is envisaged.

- (d) Yes, Sir.  Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has employed women operators in night shift duties for reactor operation. Reactors under BARC are  being  operated  by  qualified  manpower  on  round  the  clock  shifts.    All plant operators are selected on their merit and licensed after undergoing two years of training to ensure safe operation.  During the training and posting all candidates are explained about the requirement of working in round the clock shift which they have accepted at the time of appointment. BARC have also extended the following facilities to the female plant operators working in research reactors so as to ensure safety and security:
- (i) Female  operators  are  posted  in a pair for supervision of plant area in a shift.
- (ii) If  the  number of  female  operators  reporting to duty  is less, they  are posted  in  control room where Shift Engineer/Shift Charge Engineer is continuously present.
- (iii) Separate ladies change room has been provided.
- (iv) The    Department    has  implemented  a  special  policy  for  out  of turn  allotment  of  residential  quarters  to  the  female  plant  operators working  in  round  the  clock  shifts.  Under  this  policy  all  female  plant operators  have  been  provided  with  accommodation  at  the  residential complex  adjacent  to  the  BARC  campus.  Due  to  the  proximity  of accommodation  to  the  working  place,  female  operators  would  not have any problem while on duty as security, safety, medical  care and transport are available in work place as well as residential area 24x7.

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