NDMA issues guidelines for restarting manufacturing units

News:The National Disaster Management Authority(NDMA) has issued guidelines for restarting manufacturing and chemical industries after the lockdown period ends.

Facts:

Key Features of Guidelines:

• Test Run Period: The first week of restarting any machinery or chemical unit should be considered as the trial or test period and the industries should not try to achieve high production targets.
• Safety Audit: Carry out a complete Safety Audit of the entire unit before taking up starting activities such as cleaning of pipelines, equipment and discharge line.
• 24-hour sanitisation: The employers should provide hand sanitizers, masks, face protection shields and ensure 24-hour sanitisation of the factory premises.The staff should also be educated on COVID-19 related measures.
• Physical distancing measures: Create physical barriers to ensure the physical distance within the work floor and dining facilities.
• Working in shifts: Managerial and administrative staff should work one shift at 33% capacity and factories that work 24 hours should consider one hour gap between shifts except factories/plants requiring continuous operations.

Additional Facts:

National Disaster Management Authority(NDMA):

• It is the apex statutory body setup under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs
• Chairman: Prime minister
• Functions:
  • coordinate response to natural or man-made disasters and for capacity-building in disaster resiliency and crisis response
  • lay down policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management to ensure timely and effective response to disasters.
  • Provide support to other countries affected by major disasters as may be determined by the Central Government among others.