Bureau of Indian Standards establishes Standards on Respiratory Protection, Fall Prevention, and Fire Safety for overall occupational health and safety of workers

[YAGAY andSUN]

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) plays a critical role in establishing standards that ensure the health, safety, and well-being of workers across various industries. In particular, the development of standards related to Respiratory Protection, Fall Prevention, and Fire Safety is crucial for minimizing risks and enhancing overall occupational health and safety.

Here’s a closer look at how BIS has established standards in these areas to protect workers:

1. Respiratory Protection Standards

Respiratory protection is essential for workers exposed to hazardous airborne substances such as dust, fumes, gases, vapors, and biological agents. To ensure worker safety, BIS has developed standards for various types of respiratory protective equipment (RPE). These standards include:

• IS 9473: 2002 - Respiratory Protective Devices - Guidelines for Selection, Use, and Maintenance: This standard provides guidelines for the selection, use, and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment. It covers various types of respirators such as air-purifying respirators and supplied-air respirators, depending on the work environment and exposure levels.
• IS 12223: 2005 - Industrial Respirators: This standard defines the specifications for different types of industrial respirators used to protect workers from inhaling harmful airborne particles and gases. It provides guidelines for the design, testing, and performance criteria of respirators.
• IS 15322: 2003 - Industrial Respirators - Specifications for Full-Face Respirators: Full-face respirators protect workers against a variety of hazardous environments, including those in chemical plants, construction sites, and other industrial settings.
• Fit Testing and Maintenance: The standards emphasize the importance of fit testing and regular maintenance of respiratory protection devices to ensure their effectiveness in protecting workers' respiratory health.

By implementing these standards, the BIS ensures that workers who face exposure to airborne contaminants can work in a safe environment without risking respiratory diseases, such as silicosis, asbestosis, or lung cancer.

2. Fall Prevention Standards

Falls are one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in workplaces, especially in construction, manufacturing, and industries that involve working at heights. To prevent such accidents, BIS has established standards related to fall protection systems and safety harnesses.

• IS 3521: 1999 - Industrial Safety Belts and Harnesses: This standard specifies the design, materials, and performance criteria for industrial safety belts and harnesses. These devices are used to prevent workers from falling while working at heights, and the standard ensures that they are strong, durable, and reliable under various working conditions.
• IS 3764: 1992 - Code of Practice for Safety and Health in Construction Work: This standard provides guidelines for managing safety at construction sites, with a strong emphasis on fall prevention. It includes recommendations for providing guardrails, safety nets, and other fall protection measures.
• IS 15396: 2003 - Safety Nets for Fall Protection: The standard defines the requirements for safety nets that are used as a fall protection system in construction and other industries where workers are exposed to fall hazards. The safety nets are designed to safely absorb the impact of a fall and minimize injury to workers.
• IS 2915: 1994 - Safety Helmets: This standard deals with the specifications for safety helmets, a crucial piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) in fall prevention. Helmets are designed to protect workers from head injuries in case of a fall.

These standards help minimize the risk of fall-related injuries and fatalities by providing clear guidelines on the design and use of fall protection systems. By adhering to these standards, employers can ensure that workers are well-protected when working at elevated heights or in dangerous environments.

3. Fire Safety Standards

Fire safety is a critical aspect of occupational health, especially in industries that deal with flammable materials or involve high-risk processes such as manufacturing, chemical plants, and mining. BIS has developed several fire safety standards to reduce the risk of fire hazards and protect workers from fire-related injuries.

• IS 3844: 2008 - Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Industrial Buildings: This standard provides guidelines on fire prevention, fire detection, fire fighting, and safe evacuation procedures for industrial buildings. It helps employers design and implement fire safety protocols to minimize the risk of fire accidents.
• IS 15371: 2000 - Fire Safety for Electrical Installations: Electrical fires can be caused by faulty wiring, equipment malfunctions, or improper installation. This standard provides guidelines to ensure fire safety in electrical installations, which is crucial for preventing fire hazards in industrial settings.
• IS 14435: 1997 - Fire Protection Equipment: This standard specifies the design, construction, and performance requirements for fire protection equipment, including fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and fire alarm systems. It ensures that these devices are effective in controlling or extinguishing fires, safeguarding workers and property.
• IS 13282: 2010 - Personal Protective Equipment - Fireman’s Protective Clothing: This standard specifies the requirements for protective clothing designed for firemen and workers exposed to fire hazards. The clothing is designed to provide protection against heat, flame, and other fire-related hazards.
• IS 15683: 2006 - Fire Safety in Hotels: This standard provides fire safety guidelines specifically for the hospitality sector. It includes provisions for fire exits, fire-fighting systems, and the training of staff to handle fire emergencies effectively.

These fire safety standards are designed to prevent fire outbreaks, ensure proper fire safety measures are in place, and provide protection to workers from fire hazards. They are crucial for minimizing the risk of fire-related accidents and injuries in workplaces, especially in high-risk environments.

Conclusion

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) plays a key role in ensuring the occupational health and safety of workers by setting comprehensive standards related to Respiratory Protection, Fall Prevention, and Fire Safety. These standards provide a structured approach to mitigating various hazards that workers face in industrial settings.

• Respiratory protection standards ensure the safety of workers exposed to airborne contaminants.
• Fall prevention standards protect workers from injury or death due to falls.
• Fire safety standards minimize the risk of fire accidents and ensure the proper functioning of fire protection systems.

By adhering to these BIS standards, employers can create safer work environments, reduce occupational health risks, and enhance the well-being of their workforce.

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Annexure - 1

Bureau of Indian Standards establishes Standards on Respiratory Protection, Fall Prevention, and Fire Safety for overall occupational health and safety of workers

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is dedicated to ensuring the quality of products and services in India. The Indian Standards formulated by BIS serve as the foundation for Product Certification Schemes, offering third- party assurance of product quality to consumers. To strengthen the country’s quality eco system, the Government of India has issued various Quality Control Orders (QCOs) that mandate BIS certification for a range of products including industries and construction sectors. Under the provisions of BIS Act, 2016, products for compulsory BIS certification are notified by the concerned regulator/line ministry of Government of India through Quality Control Orders (QCOs) under various considerations viz. public interest, protection of human, animal or plant health, safety of environment, prevention of unfair trade practices and national security. Through the issuance of QCOs, the notified products shall conform to the requirements of the relevant Indian Standard including safety standard and the manufacturers of these products have to compulsorily obtain certification from BIS. So far, a total of 187 Quality Control Order’s covering 769 products have been notified for compulsory certification of BIS by various regulators/line ministries of Government of India, the list of which is available at https://www.bis.gov.in/product-certification/products-under-compulsory-certification/.

Additionally, the following two horizontal QCO’s exclusively for safety aspects of products are also notified by Government of India:

1. Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2024 issued by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Through the QCO, all electrical appliances intended for household, commercial or similar applications with rated voltage not exceeding 250 V single phase alternating current or 415 V three phase alternating current and which do not fall under the scope of any other Quality Control Order issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act are covered under compulsory certification of BIS.
2. Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024 issued by Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India. Through the QCO, 20 categories of Machinery and electrical equipment’s and their sub-assemblies / components are covered under compulsory certification of BIS

Branch Offices of BIS have conducted Manak Manthans on the subject Labour Safety at Workplace in different cities like Gwalior, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Hubli, Chennai, Dehradun. These sessions facilitated discussions among stakeholders, including government bodies, industries, and standard organizations, to improve safety practices at the workplace and raised awareness about labour safety standards and promoting their implementation.

Workplace safety is a critical component of occupational health, ensuring employee well-being and reducing risks that may lead to injuries or fatalities. The introduction and adherence to newly developed safety standards provide comprehensive guidelines for mitigating workplace hazards. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has established various Indian Standards on Respiratory Protection, Fall Prevention, and Fire Safety to enhance overall occupational health and safety (OHS), safeguarding workers and fostering a safer working environment.

1. Respiratory Protection Standards and their Role in Occupational Health and Safety: Respiratory protection is crucial in industries such as mining, construction, chemical processing, and healthcare, where workers are exposed to harmful airborne contaminants. The Indian Standards (IS) for respiratory protective devices ensure that workers have access to high-quality protective equipment, reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses. Key Indian Standards in Respiratory Protection are given as under:

1. IS 9473: 2002– Respiratory protective devices — Filtering half masks to protect against particles.
2. IS 14166: 1994– Respiratory protective devices – Self-contained open-circuit compressed air breathing apparatus.
3. IS 14746: 1999– Respiratory protective devices – Self-contained closed-circuit breathing apparatus.
4. IS 15803: 2008– Respiratory protective devices – Powered filtering devices incorporating a helmet or hood.
5. IS 10245 (Part 1): 1996– Respiratory protective devices – Self-contained breathing apparatus.
6. IS 10245 (Part 2): 2023– Industrial and firefighting self-contained breathing apparatus.
7. IS 10245 (Part 3): 1999– Respiratory protective devices – Chemical oxygen apparatus.
8. IS 10245 (Part 4): 1982– Respiratory protective devices – Industrial and mining oxygen respirators.

2. Fall Prevention Standards and their Role in Occupational Health and Safety: Falls from height are a leading cause of workplace fatalities and injuries. The IS 3521 series provides guidelines on personal fall protection systems to mitigate risks in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and warehousing. Key Indian Standards in Fall Prevention are given as under:

1. IS 3521 (Part 1): 2021 – Full-body harnesses.
2. IS 3521 (Part 2): 2021– Lanyards and energy absorbers.
3. IS 3521 (Part 3): 2000 – Self-retracting lifelines.
4. IS 3521 (Part 4): 2021– Vertical anchorage systems.
5. IS 3521 (Part 5): 2021  – Horizontal anchorage systems.
6. IS 3521 (Part 7): 2021 – Connectors.
7. IS 3521 (Part 8): 2021 – Rescue equipment.
8. IS 3521 (Part 9): 2021 – Anchorage devices.

3. Fire Safety Standards and their Role in Occupational Health and Safety: Fires pose a significant threat to workplace safety, particularly in industries handling flammable materials. The implementation of stringent fire safety standards ensures that workers are adequately protected from burns, smoke inhalation, and other fire-related hazards. Key Indian Standards in Fire Safety are given as under:

1. IS 16890: 2024  – Firefighter suits.
2. IS 16874: 2018 – Firefighter gloves.
3. IS 15683: 2018 – Fire extinguishers.
4. IS 2745: 1983 -  Non - Metal helmet for firemen and Civil Defence personnel
5. IS 18582 (Part 6): 2024 - Foot wear used by Firefighters

This information was given by the Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri B.L.Verma in a written reply today in the Rajya Sabha.