73C. [ Safety measures in factories where equipment or pipeline containing inflammable materials are operated. [Inserted by G.N., of 30th June, 1969.]
- Where work of opening any equipment of pipeline containing inflammable liquids or gases is to be carried out in any factory, the following provisions shall be complied with, namely:-(I)The system of work permits shall be introduced and unless the equipment or the pipeline is certified to be free of inflammable gas or liquid, no person shall be allowed to enter or open the same.(II)The work of opening such equipment or pipeline shall not be commenced unless the following operations are carried out and checked by the Supervisor in-charge of the Process Department of the Factory:-(i)Blanking operations - The equipment or pipeline to be opened for repairs or maintenance shall be effectively blanked so as to ensure that no inflammable gas or liquid can enter the same under any circumstances during the operation of repairs or maintenance. The Supervisor of the Process Department shall check personally these operations and shall certify accordingly.(ii)Flushing operation - The Supervisor of the Process Department shall carry out the steaming or flushing out with water of the equipment or pipeline to ensure that all inflammable material is removed from the equipment or pipeline and shall certify to that effect.(iii)(i)Opening of the equipment - The Supervisor of the Engineering Department of the factory incharge of the work of opening of such equipment of pipeline, or getting clearance from the Supervisor in a charge of the Process Department, shall satisfy himself that the above operations are complete and shall sign the work permits issued by the Supervisor of the Process Department.(ii)It shall be the joint responsibility of the Supervisor of the Process Department and the Supervisor of the Engineering Department to check and ensure that hot lines, if any, in the vicinity of such works are properly screened, in accordance with the safety instructions of the factory management. The work permit shall have as specific entry for this operation which shall be signed by both the Supervisors.(IV)No part of the running equipment or pipeline shall be opened unless a gas test is conducted by a responsible person to ensure that the equipment or pipeline is safe for opening.(V)No workers whose clothes have been contaminated with inflammable material shall be allowed to work where any such running equipment or pipeline is being opened.(VI)The Safety Officer or any officer authorised by him, shall have system of random checking on the work permits issued and he shall report any serious deficiencies to the Works Manager directly.(VII)All drains of such equipments or pipeline shall be laid into the drains to prevent any splashing of the draining inflammable liquids or gases.(VIM)Before commencing the opening operation, it shall be ensured that a specific persons trained in fire-fighting operations, is kept available and his presence shall be ensured throughout the operation of the opening of the equipment.]
