Gandhinagar: Taking serious note of industrial accidents in the state, the state government on Friday directed officials to ensure compliance with safety requirements by factories.

Chief Secretary Anil Mukim chaired a meeting of the Labour and Employment department in this regard and took stock of safety requirements in factories.

Safety requirements for on-site and off-site emergency plans for manufacturing, storing and importing hazardous chemicals, measures for emergency planning, preparedness and response in the case of chemical accidents, and provisions of the Factories Act were reviewed in the meeting.

Compliance of provisions related to site approval by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), and safety requirements during appraisal of projects at the time of granting Environmental Clearance were also reviewed.

“The chief secretary took stock of the safety requirements in factories. This reflects the government’s commitment to the safety of workers. He was apprised about the various steps taken by the department for compliance with safety rules and to create awareness about them. He was satisfied with the steps, but stressed on the safety of workers and directed for stricter compliance with safety requirements,” said P M Shah, Director Industrial Safety & Health.

“Industrial accidents can be avoided if all safety measures are followed. We are making efforts in this direction,” said Vipul Mittra IAS, additional chief secretary, Labour and Employment department.

The number of industrial accidents has fallen in the state in the last two years due to multiple awareness and enforcement initiatives. Mittra said that they want the number to fall further.

The Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), which functions under the Labour and Employment department, launched a drive on August 17 to ensure compliance with safety measures in factories as a part of Safety Month.

In the first week, 85 mock drills were conducted in 117 units, while 86 other programs were held to create safety awareness.

Topics such as unsafe work practices & unsafe conditions, HSE management system, emergency prevention & response, occupational health, material handling & lifting, Covid-19 precautions, emergency preparedness, hazardous material handling, are a part of the awareness programs.

“Gujarat has become the first state to issue a circular on PPE kits used in industries. Only kits that meet the standards decided by the government are required to be used,” said Mittra.

Separately, DISH has launched a survey that will cover more than 5,000 industrial units and construction sites. The survey has been completed in more than 2,300 factories and sites so far.