Delhi govt gives directions on fire safety, heatwave to factories, shops

The Delhi government has directed factories, shops and construction sites to ensure all firefighting equipment is functional and there are no obstacles on staircases.

The directions from the labour department of the city government come in the aftermath of a blaze at a private neonatal hospital that claimed the lives of six newborns, shortly after a fire at an entertainment centre in Rajkot, Gujarat, and a factory fire in Dombivli, Thane.

The circular issued by the department on 27 May asked all district in-charges to ensure that all establishments, factories, shops and construction sites in their respective jurisdiction have fire-fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers, sand buckets and fire alarms in working condition.

Fire extinguishers dealing with electric fire and sand buckets filled with dry sand shall be kept at conspicuous places, it said.

"Flammable items such as chemicals, solvents etc, should be kept in an isolated cool place and handled by authorised persons. Staircases should be free from any obstacle," it said.

It also cited the various measures needed in view of the heatwave conditions prevailing in the national capital.

The circular asked establishments to ensure adequate clean drinking water availability at the workplace, availability of coolers/fans at the workplace and proper ventilation.

The circular also said no worker should be allowed to work in direct sunlight, and advised a change in work shifts to avoid peak hours between 12 noon and 4 p.m. as far as possible.

The circular also called for 'sensitising/imparting training to the workers/employees about the precautions to be taken during the heatwave conditions, including covering their head during direct exposure to sunlight, etc.'

'Make emergency kit (ice packs, ORS, etc.) for the construction workers/employees', it advised by way of additional precautions.

To minimise fire hazards, the circular said, there should be no joints in the electric wires/cables installed as far as possible and all non-current carrying metallic parts and the metallic frames of the electrical appliances or equipment must be properly earthed.