Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Health and Family Welfare, presided over a seminar on "Safe Use of Chemicals at Workplace" on 27 July 2022 that was organized by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) together with the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The event was attended by Bhagwanth Khuba, Minister of State (Chemicals & Fertilizers and New & Renewable Energy).
In the presence of Union Minister Dr. Mandaviya, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between DCPC and ILO for the adoption of the International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs).
According to Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, worker safety and humane behaviour are India's top priorities. To ensure the development and welfare of our citizens, we have wholeheartedly accepted global best practices. He stated that the "chemical industry is a critical and integral part of India's growing economy." It plays an important role in meeting our basic needs, developing our skills, and improving the quality of our daily lives."
He emphasized that catastrophic accidents involving chemicals occur frequently, owing to a lack of proper safety measures. According to him, this necessitates adherence to global safety standards and practices.
"It is critical that India adopt international standards developed by the ILO, as this will not only reduce industrial accidents but also ensure further alignment with global best practices," he added. He urged all stakeholders to ensure that workers are adequately informed about not only these ICSCs but also safety regulations. "Industry safety can be ensured by adhering to international standards for storage and processing, implementing the safest and most efficient procedures, and installing robust technologies," he said.
Dr. Mandaviya urged all stakeholders to participate in a brainstorming session, including government officials, experts, and industry leaders. He stated that such stakeholder consultations will generate innovative ideas that can be used as the foundation for future legislation and steps.
Bhagwant Khuba, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers and New and Renewable Energy, stated that India's global standing in the chemical sector has increased, and thus it is necessary to examine the sector not only from a production standpoint but also from a safety standpoint.
He stated that such training sessions and safety drills are not only important for worker safety, but also for the environment. He also thanked all of the attendees and emphasised the importance of "all stakeholders learning and growing together as only this can ensure that our industries function without harm and hazard, without losing any lives." He hoped that the MoU between DCPC and ILO would strengthen our efforts to implement safety regulations in the country.
