The Ministry of Steel has decided to establish a Steel Industry Safety Council (SISC) as an apex-level body to strengthen safety standards, accident prevention and safety practices across the steel sector.

The council will be headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Steel, and will include senior government officials, chief executives of integrated steel producers and representatives from organisations including DGMS, PESO, NDMA and recognised steel technology institutions.

The SISC will assess safety conditions across the industry, approve safety standards and recommended practices, review serious accidents and near-miss incidents, and promote safety awareness, training and preventive measures.

The ministry will also establish a Steel Industry Safety Directorate (SISD) to provide technical and professional support to the council. The directorate will cover areas including process safety, blast furnaces, steel melting, rolling mills, coke ovens, electrical and mechanical safety, occupational health, fire engineering and disaster management.

The SISD will oversee implementation of the council’s decisions, conduct safety audits and incident investigations, maintain accident and near-miss data, review emergency preparedness and develop Steel Industry Safety Standards, Recommended Practices and Guidelines suited to Indian conditions.

The government said the new institutional framework will support a stronger safety culture and more consistent safety practices across India’s steel industry.