Page 44 - The Insurance Times September 2022

standards, testing and information, technical and Specific roles and responsibilities of MAH units,
technological information, preparedness including transporters, drivers, authorities and aspects related to
education, training, creation of appropriate infrastructure, emergency communication systems and training of
capacity development, awareness generation, institutional various stakeholders.
framework, networking and communication, R&D, and
The need for the development of an efficient pipeline
response, relief and rehabilitation for CDM. The roles and
management system.
responsibilities of various stakeholders at centre, state and
district levels are also described. The salient highlights
Chapter 7 sets out the approach to implementation of the
include:
Guidelines and also highlights the key points for ensuring the
Strengthening of the present regulatory framework to
implementation of the plans prepared by the central
meet the defined national policies and aspirations;
ministries, departments and states. The strategy to be
augmentation of technical support functions.
adopted for the important activities to be included in the
A supportive and technology neutral regulation Action Plan are given below:
framework. Putting in place a national mechanism for covering all
major disasters and reporting mechanisms at the
Legislation on land-use policy (buffer zone around
district level.
chemical industry).
Dovetailing regulations governing HAZCHEM safety
Standardisation of national codes and practises.
with the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DM Act,
Emphasis on regular safely audit, identification and
2005).
selection of professional organisations and their
Establishing a risk management framework criterion for
accreditation.
chemical assessment.
Commissioning and decommissioning of chemical
Strengthening of the institutional framework for CDM
industries.
and its integration with the activities of the NDMA,
Preparation of On-Site and Off-Site Plans.
State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs),
Regular testing of emergency plans. District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) and
other stakeholders.
Need of medical first responders and medical inventory
to deal with specialised chemical accidents at the Renewed focus on model safety codes/standards for
installation site. prevention of accidents at industry level by matching
processes and technologies for safety installations
Crisis management plans of hospitals to manage the
comparable with the best available in the world.
victims of chemical emergencies.
Identifying infrastructure needs for preparing mitigation
Concept of mobile hospital and mobile teams.
plans.
Issues related to public health response, medical
Implementing a financial strategy for the allocation of
rehabilitation and harmful effects on the environment.
funds for different national and state/district level
Post-disaster documentation and analysis.
mitigation projects.
Establishing an efficient information network for
Chapter 5 comprises comprehensive guidelines for
dissemination of alerts, warning and response
installations and storages (including isolated storages of
messages.
HAZCHEM) that contain good engineering practises for
safety, accident reporting, investigation and analysis Identifying/recognising training institutions.
checklists and safety promotional activities as important tools
Strengthening the National Disaster Response Force
for effective CDM.
(NDRF), fire services, medical first responders and other
emergency responders.
Chapter 6 deals with guidelines related to chemical
Revamping of home guards and civil defence for CDM.
accidents during transportation of HAZCHEM. The areas
covered include: Developing a national medical emergency plan binding
Preparation of a highway DM plan. all government, private and public hospitals with
unified, wellestablished triage and other emergency
Modification of rules pertaining to transport
procedures.
emergencies.
44 The Insurance Times, September 2022