The Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 14th October 2021 has published the Boiler Accident Inquiry Rules, 2021 which deals with procedure for inquiry and the use of boilers after accident resulting in any death.
On receipt of a report of an accident to a boiler or boiler component under section 18 of the Act, a preliminary inquiry shall be conducted in the concerned State in whose jurisdiction the accident has occurred.
Section 18 states that if any accident occurs to a boiler or steam-pipe, the owner or person in charge thereof shall within twenty-four hours of the accident, report the same in writing to the Inspector. Every such report shall contain a true description of the nature of a accident and of the injury, if any, caused thereby to the boiler or to the steam-pipe or to any person, and shall be insufficient detail to enable the Inspector to judge of the gravity of the accident.
The Chief Inspector of the concerned State in whose jurisdiction any death has resulted due to the accident , based on preliminary inquiry, shall forward a report without delay to the Technical Adviser in Form A.
The inquiry committee shall make a careful examination of the damaged parts and shall take such measurements or sketches and may take such photographs for the purpose of report as they may deem necessary.
The inquiry committee shall inquire into the circumstances of the accident, its nature and extent, the cause of death and injury to persons and the damage to property and shall submit the inquiry report to the Central Government.
The boiler shall not be put to use till the inquiry is completed and after completion of inquiry, the Chief Inspector of the concerned state shall decide whether the use of boiler can be permitted at the same or at a lower pressure without repairs or pending the completion of any repairs or alterations that he may order.
