Steel Industry Safety Council (SISC)
The Ministry of Steel has decided to establish the Steel Industry Safety Council (SISC) as an apex-level industry safety body to strengthen safety standards, accident prevention and safety culture across India's steel industry.
Key Features of SISC
- Administrative control: Functions under the Ministry of Steel.
- Chairman: Secretary, Ministry of Steel.
- Composition: Senior officials, CEOs of integrated steel producers, and representatives from key technical and statutory organisations such as:
- Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS)
- Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
- Recognised steel technology institutions
Functions of SISC
- Assess safety conditions in the steel industry
- Conduct safety studies
- Approve safety standards and recommended practices
- Review serious accidents and near-miss incidents
Steel Industry Safety Directorate (SISD)
A technical support body to be established alongside SISC, providing expertise in:
- Process safety, blast furnaces, steel melting, rolling mills, coke ovens
- Electrical and mechanical safety
- Occupational health, fire engineering and disaster management
Role of SISD:
- Implement Council decisions
- Conduct safety audits
- Investigate serious incidents
- Maintain accident and near-miss databases
- Review emergency preparedness
- Strengthen safety training programmes
Safety Standards Development
SISD will prepare and issue Steel Industry Safety Standards, Recommended Practices and Guidelines suited to Indian conditions, ensuring uniform safety practices across the sector.
Significance
- Creates a stronger safety culture in the steel industry
- Improves industrial accident prevention
- Promotes consistent safety management practices across India's steel sector
- Aligns with India's status as one of the world's largest steel producers, where industrial safety is critical for workers and infrastructure resilience.