1. Definitions - (a) “solvent extraction plant” means the plant in which the process of extracting vegetable oil from oil cakes by the use of solvents is carried on;
(b) “solvent” means an inflammable liquid such as pentane, hexane and heptane used for the recovery of vegetable oils;
(c) “flame-proof enclosure” as applied to electrical machinery or apparatus means an enclosure that will withstand, when covers or other access doors are properly secured, an internal explosion of the flammable gas or vapour which may enter or which may originate inside the enclosure without suffering damage and without communicate internal inflammation (or explosion) to the external flammable gas or vapour.
(d) “competent persons” for the purpose of this Schedule shall be at least a Member of the Institution of Engineers (India) or an Associate Member of the said Institution with 10 years experience in a responsible position as may be approved by the Chief Inspector :
Provided that a Graduate in Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Technology with specialized knowledge of oils and fats and with a minimum experience of 5 years in a solvent extraction plant shall also be considered to be a competent person:
Provided further that the State Government may accept any other qualifications if in its opinion they are equivalent to the qualification aforesaid.
2. Location and layout - (a) No solvent extraction plant shall be permitted to be constructed or extended to within a distance of 30 metres from the nearest residential locality.
(b) A 1.5 metre high continuous wire fencing shall be provided around the solvent extraction plant up to a minimum distance of 15 metres from the plant.
(c) No person shall be allowed to carry any matches or an open flame of fire inside the area bound by the fencing.
(d) Boiler houses and other buildings where open flame processes are carried on shall be located at least 30 metres away from the solvent extraction plant.
(e) If godowns and preparatory processes are at less than 30 metres from the solvent extraction plant, these shall be at least 15 metres distant from the plant and a continuous barrier wall of non-combustible material 1.5 metres high shall be erected at distance of not less than 15 metres from the solvent extraction plant so that it extends to at a lest 30 metres of vapour travel round its ends from the plant to be possible sources of ignition.
3. Electrical installations - (a) All electrical metres and wiring and either electrical equipment installed or housed in solvent extraction plant shall be of flame-proof construction.
(b) All metal parts of the plant and building including various tanks and containers where solvents are stored are present and all parts of electrical equipment not required to be energised shall be properly bonded together and connected to earth so as to avoid accidental rise in the electrical potential of such parts above the earth potential.
4. Restrictions on smoking - Smoking shall be strictly prohibited within 15 metres distance from solvent extracting plant. For this purpose “No Smoking” signs shall be (permanently) displayed in the area.
5. Precautions against friction - (a) All tools and equipment including ladders chains and other lifting tackle required to be used in solvent extraction plant shall be of non-sparking type.
(b) No machinery or equipment in any solvent extraction plant shall be belt driven unless the belt used is of such a type that it does not permit accumulation of static electricity to a dangerous level;
(c) No person shall be allowed to enter and work in the solvent extraction plant if wearing clothes made of nylon or such other fibre that can generate static electrical charge, or wearing footwear which is likely to cause sparks by friction.
6. Fire fighting apparatus - (a) Adequate number of portable fire extinguisher suitable for use against flammable liquid fires shall be provided in the solvent extraction plant.
(b) An automatic water spray sprinkler system on a wet pipe or open head deluge system with sufficient supply of storage water shall be provided over solvent extraction plant and throughout the building housing such plant.
7. Precautions against power failure - Provisions shall be made for the automatic cutting off of steam in the event of power failure and also for emergency overhead water-supply for feeding water by gravity to considers which shall come into play automatically with the power failure.
8. Magnetic separators - oil cake shall be fed to the extractor by a conveyer through a hopper and a magnetic separator shall be provided to remove any pieces of iron during its transfer.
9. Venting - (a) Tanks containing solvents shall be protected with emergency venting to relieve excessive internal pressure in the event of fire.
(b) All emergency relief vents shall terminate at least 6 metres above the ground and be so located that vapours will more re-enter the building in which solvent extraction plant is located.
10. Waste water - Process waste water shall be passed through a flash evaporator to remove any solvent before it is discharged into a sump.
11. Ventilation - The solvent extraction plant shall be well ventilated and if the plant is housed in a building, the building shall be provided with mechanical ventilation, with provision for at least six air changes per hours.
12. House keeping - (a) Solvent shall not be stored in an area covered by solvent extraction plant except in small quantities which shall be stored in approved safety cans.
(b) Waste materials such as oily rags, other wastes and absorbents used to wipe off solvent and paints and oils shall be deposited in approved containers and removal from the premises at least once a day.
(c) Space within the solvent extraction plant and within 15 meters from the plant shall be kept free from any combustible materials and any splits or oil or solvent shall be cleaned up immediately.
13. Examination and repairs - (a) The solvent extraction plant shall be examined by the competent persons to determine any weakness or corrosion and wear once in every 12 months. Report of such examination shall be supplied to the Inspector with his observation as to whether or not the plant is in safe condition to work.
(b) No repairs shall be carried out to the machinery or plant except under the direct supervision of the competent person.
(c) Facility shall be provided for purging the plant with inert gas (or steam-for Punjab) before opening for cleaning or repairs and before introducing solvent after repairs.
14. Operating personnel - The operation of the plant and machinery in the solvent extraction plant shall be in the charge of such duly qualified and trained person as are certified by the competent person to be fit for the purpose and no other person shall be allowed operate the plant and machinery.
15. Employment of women and young persons - No women or young person shall be employed in the solvent extraction plant.
16. Vapour detection - A suitable type of combustible gas indicator shall be provided and maintained in good working order and a schedule routine sampling of atmosphere at various location as approved by the Chief Inspector shall be drawn out and entered in a register maintained for the purpose.
17. Vacuum gauges - When the solvent is remove from the batch extractor by vacuum, vacuum gauges shall be provided and tests shall be carried out to ensure that a minimum vacuum of 650 mm (26”) mercury is obtained and maintained steadily for a minimum period of 30 minutes before the extractor is allowed to be opened for discharging cake or for persons to enter.
18. Log-book – A log-book of operations with the following particulars shall be maintained and made available on demand to the Inspector:-
(i) vacuum gauge reading for each charge;
(ii) testing of continuity of electrical bounding and earthing system ;
(iii) loss of solvent every 24 hours or loss per tonne of raw material used.
19. Exemption – If in respect of any factory, the Chief Inspector is satisfied that owing to the exceptional circumstances or infrequency of the process or for any other reason all or any of the provisions of this Schedule is not necessary for the protection of the workers in the factory, he may by a certificate in writing (which he may at his discretion revoke at any time) exempt such factory from all or any of such provisions subject to the conditions, if any, as he may specify therein.