Safety in Hazardous Process Industries

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 What Are Hazardous Process Industries?

The OSH Code includes a First Schedule (adapted from the former Factories Act), which lists industries where the materials, chemicals, or processes used can pose serious risks to workers if not properly controlled.

hazardous industries
Hazardous industries 


These are industries where exposure could cause:

1.     Toxic effects

2.     Burns or chemical injuries

3.     Long-term diseases

4.     Fire or explosion risks

5.     Environmental harm

In short, these are workplaces where extra care is essential.

Examples of Industries Included in the Schedule

 

The list is extensive:

 Metallurgical Operations

 One of the key categories is the manufacture of iron and steel.

1.     Processing of aluminum, copper, lead and zinc.

2.     Foundries and forging units

 Chemical Industries and Petrochemical.

1.     Acid and alkali production

2.     Gas production of industrial use.

3.     Petroleum product refineries and processing.

4.     Fertilizer plants

5.     manufacture of paints and solvents, resins and rubber, plastics.

 Coal, Petroleum and Fuel-Related Industries.

1.     Coal handling, coke ovens Fuel gas production Petroleum refining

 Production of pharmaceutical and drugs.

2.     Synthetic drugs Narcotics processing

 Other high-risk sectors

3.     Cement factories

4.     Glass and ceramics

5.     Paper and pulp mills

6.     Asbestos handling

7.     Dyes and dye-stuffs

8.     Man-made fibers

9.      Electroplating

Explosives and fireworks

 They are industries that contain substances or processes that are capable of damaging human health hence the regulation that they are under hazardous processes.

 

Does the OHS Code protect humans? Absolutely.

The entire purpose of classifying an industry as “hazardous” is to protect workers and anyone present in the workplace.

The Code requires employers in hazardous-process industries to:

➤ Provide a safe and risk-free working environment

This includes engineering controls, ventilation, machine guarding, and a safe layout.

➤ Conduct periodic medical examinations

Workers must receive regular health check-ups at the employer’s expense, especially those exposed to chemicals or dust.

 

➤ Offer safety training and awareness

No worker may be assigned to a hazardous process without proper training.

➤ Maintain safe handling and storage of hazardous substances

 Install emergency systems

This includes fire control, alarms, evacuation plans, safety committees, and on-site emergency response mechanisms.

➤ Protect all persons on the premises

This applies not only to employees, but also to contractors, visitors, and anyone present in the work area.

This ensures a human-first safety culture rather than a compliance-only approach.

Why This Matters

Industries are expanding, processes are becoming more complex, and new chemicals are introduced every year. The OSH Code recognises that safety laws must evolve to protect the people who keep these industries operating.

By strengthening rules for hazardous-process industries, the Code aims to:

a.      Reduce industrial accidents

b.     Prevent occupational diseases

c.      Create safer work environments

d.     Promote responsible industrial practices

Ultimately, it is about valuing human life and well-being over shortcuts or unsafe operations.

Final Thoughts

If your organisation falls under any of the industries listed in the First Schedule of the OSH Code, you are part of a category that requires special safety attention. If you are a worker in one of these sectors, you are legally entitled to stronger protections.

 

Safety is not just a regulation – it is a responsibility.

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