Govt issues guidelines for restarting industries

• * Industries have been asked to treat the first week after reopening as a trial or test run
• * Several economic activities have been permitted zone-wise during the third phase of the lockdown

NEW DELHI : The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued guidelines for restarting manufacturing industries after lockdown. "While restarting the unit, consider the first week as the trial or test run period; ensure all safety protocols; and not try to achieve high production targets," says the guidelines for restarting manufacturing industries after lockdown.

Due to several weeks of lockdown and the closure of industrial units during the lockdown period, it is possible that some of the operators might not have followed the established standing operation procedures. "As a result, some of the manufacturing facilities, pipelines, valves, etc. may have residual chemicals, which may pose risk. The same is true for the storage facilities with hazardous chemicals and flammable materials," NDMA said.

Generic guidelines:

1) While restarting the unit, consider the first week as the trial or test run period; ensure all safety protocols; and not try to achieve high production targets.

2) To minimize the risk it is important that employees who work on specific equipment are sensitized and made aware of the need to identify abnormalities like strange sounds or smell, exposed wires, vibrations, leaks, smoke, abnormal wobbling, irregular grinding or other potentially hazardous signs which indicate the need for an immediate maintenance or if required shutdown.