Mr. S. K. Hazra, Chairman, Safety, Health & Environment Expert Committee welcomed Dr. P. K. Ghosh, Retired Director, Safety, AERB, Government of India and members of the Committee to the Fifth Meeting of the Committee.

Centre for Process Safety :

Chairman said that Executive Committee of ICC at its meeting held on 10 March 2009 has agreed to the proposal for setting up Centre for Process Safety through Safety, Health & Environment Expert Committee of ICC and accordingly in order to take up this subject further he has invited Dr. P. K. Ghosh an expert on the subject to make presentation regarding relevance of Process Safety management and how ICC should initiate steps for setting up Centre for Process Safety. Chairman informed the members that, earlier there was a proposal to set up Process Safety Centre in cooperation with Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS), USA and Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), UK. However it is almost over one year no progress has been made. Further CCPS had recently conveyed that they have to settle certain issue about IChemE's participation though informally agreed by them earlier. Further as per ICC Executive Committee's deliberation in last meeting in Delhi CCPS was informed about ICC's eagerness to start the "Process Safety Centre" as it had adequate resources with a provision for CCPS / IChemE to join when they are ready and CCPS's comments were invited. CCPS in its comments added new specific stipulations which had been circulated amongst the SHE Expert Committee members involved in the matter. A number of Stipulations were found to be not acceptable to SHE Expert Committee. In view of the delay involved in setting up institute, it has now been decided to start this institute under the auspices of Safety, Health & Environment Expert Committee as decided in the last SHE Expert Committee meeting.

Thereafter Chairman requested Dr. Ghosh to make presentation. Accordingly Dr. Ghosh made detailed presentation highlighting background of Process Safety Management movement in the chemical industry especially after Bhopal incidence. He also narrated various reasons as to why this subject has not received due recognition by the industry. He further said that this subject is not at all discussed in detail in any of the ISO and other standards, however Responsible Care initiative refers to the Process Safety Management and conclusion was that this subject needs a very focus attention.

He also suggested various modules for training to be conducted by Centre for Process Safety. The Centre's activities may include arranging workshops / seminars / courses.

Members complimented Dr. Ghosh and accordingly steps will be taken for setting up this Centre. Initially services of expert will be hired on part time basis and later on after seeing response of the industry expert will be appointed on full time basis with an appropriate supporting staff. It is possible that training may be organized at the member-companies facility or at appropriate venue.

ANY OTHER MATTER WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE CHAIR :

1. Chairman informed the members that request has been made to Member-Secretary, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board for Open House Session and members were requested to send comments. Date for the Open House Session will be informed by the Secretariat shortly.
2. Mr. Justin Smith, Business Manager (International), British Safety Council is visiting India and will be meeting ICC members on Friday, 10 April 2009 at 11.00 a.m. in the ICC – Mumbai Office (Sir Vithaldas Chambers, 6th Floor, Fort, Mumbai Samachar Marg, Mumbai – 400 001). The purpose of his visit to explore possibilities as to how ICC and British Safety Council can work together for promoting safety related activities.
3. Chairman informed that in association with Eicher Tractors and Hubert-Ebner of Austria, ICC is organizing a Half-day Workshop on "DRIVER TRAINING ISSUES ON SAFE TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS GOODS AND ROAD SAFETY" on Monday, 13 April 2009 at Vista, World Trade Centre, Centre – I, Mumbai. This program will be of relevance in view of the number of accidents that are occurring on roads.

Since there was no other matter to discuss, the meeting concluded with a Vote of Thanks to the Chair.

MEMBERS PRESENT :