Lok Sabha Question No. 1105 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-05
Subject: Accidents in Chemical and Fertilizer Factories
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Dr. Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICALS AND PETROCHEMICALS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1105

ANSWERED ON - 05/12/2025

## ACCIDENTS IN CHEMICAL AND FERTILIZER FACTORIES

## 1105.  DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS, be pleased to  state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  accidents  that  takes  place  in  Chemical  and Fertilizer factories and godowns in the country;
- (b) if so, the number of such accidents recorded during the last three years;
- (c) whether the safety standard is much below the benchmark or the stipulated safety standard is not followed in those companies; and
- (d) if so, the action taken on such companies for the lapses and new measures being taken to contain such accidents?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a)  and (b) The information regarding the number of accidents which have taken place in factories  and  godowns  including  the  Chemical  and  Fertilizer  industries  is  maintained  by Ministry  of  Labour  and  Employment.    The  details  of  fatal  and  non-fatal  injuries  in  all industries, as shared by Ministry of Labour and Employment, that have occurred during the three-year period as available are as under:
- (c)  and  (d) Details  of  various  legislative  measures  that  have  been  enacted  to  address  the concerns relating to safety standards are as under:

| Year               |   2021 |   2022 |   2023 |   2024 |
|--------------------|--------|--------|--------|--------|
| Fatal Injuries     |    988 |   1062 |   1127 |    757 |
| Non-Fatal Injuries |   2803 |   3006 |   2981 |   2255 |

Data Source

: DGFASLI / MoLE

## (i) The Factories Act, 1948

There are elaborate provisions under the Factories Act, 1948 and the Rules framed there under pertaining  to  health,  safety,  welfare,  hazardous  processes,  working  hours,  penalties  and procedures etc., to ensure safety and health of the workers  in registered factories.

The units which are violating the provisions of the Act and Rules are being prosecuted under the penal provisions i.e. Section 92 and 96A of the Factories Act, 1948. The said Act and the rules made thereunder are enforced by the State Governments concerned through the Chief Inspectors of Factories  / Directorates of Industrial Safety and Health, who are empowered to take legal action against the occupier and manager of the factory for violations of the said Act and rules.

## (ii) Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (OSH&WC), 2020

The Central Government has enacted a comprehensive legislation i.e., the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (OSH&WC), 2020 for ensuring the occupational safety, health and working conditions of the persons employed in an establishment and the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The said Code empowers Central Government to declare occupational safety and health standards under section 18 of the OSH&WC Code, 2020 for  workplaces  relating  to  factories,  mines,  docks  ,  buildings,  construction  sites  and  other establishments. Further, Section 34 of the Code  provides for the appointment of Inspectorcum-Facilitator and Section 35 of the Code provides for powers of Inspector-cum-Facilitators for the effective enforcement of provisions of the OSH&WC, Code, 2020.

## (iii) The Manufacturing, Storage, and Import of Hazardous Chemicals (MSIHC) Rules, 1989 .

The MSIHC Rules, 1989 have also been made with the objective of preventing accidents in industrial installations and isolated storage handling the hazardous chemicals. The said rules provide for preparation of safety reports, safety audits, notification of accidents, preparation of on-site and off-site emergency plans, information sharing, etc.

## (iv) The  Chemical  Accidents  (Emergency  Planning,  Preparedness  and  Response) (CAEPPR) Rules, 1996

The CAEPPR Rules, 1996 is to prevent and respond to industrial chemical incidents. CAEPPR mandate the establishment of crisis management groups at the district level and require on-site emergency plans from chemical facilities and off-site plans from authorities.

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