HPC of Andhra Pradesh (India) submits report on the accident of styrene monomer vapour leak at LG Polymers

On July 6, 2020, High Power Committee of Andhra Pradesh in India submitted the report on the accident of styrene monomer vapour leak at LG Polymers to the state government. In the report, it is suggested that additional security steps should be taken for hazardous industries located close to residential areas. The report also proposed that bulk hazardous chemical storage facilities should be shifted from the industrial premises to bulk storage facilities, which should be away from residential areas and can be transported to factory by tankers or pipelines. It said hazardous chemicals in the industrial premises should be stored in tanks below 500kL capacity, not ones of capacity 2000kL and above.

Other recommendations in this report are as follows.

• Implementation of online monitoring of the effluent and emissions by Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
• Implementation of constant monitoring of onsite and offsite emergency plans prepared by hazardous industries located close to residential areas.
• Simulated drills should be conducted every six months in the facility and every year to the community outside.
• Local Crisis Group should be constituted for hazardous industries as per the Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness, And Response) Rules 1996.
• Local Crisis Group should attend mock drills to deal with emergencies.
• Sensors attached to the alarm system to detect the release of toxic gases should be installed not only inside the facility, but also in areas outside the facility where they may have an impact.
• Competent authority should conduct safety and environmental audits every year.
• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry should take the lead in developing industrial parks away from residential areas.
• Factory Safety Board should be established with adequate manpower.