Schedule B XVIII

Process of extracting oils and fats from vegetables and animal sources in

solvent extraction plants

1. Definitions.-For the purposes of this schedule-

a. "solvent extraction plant" means a plant in which the process of extracting oils

and fats from vegetable and animal sources by use of solvents is carried on;

b. "solvent" means an flammable liquid such as pentane, hexane and heptane

use for the recovery of vegetable oils ;

c. "Flameproof 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 communicating internal inflammation (or explosion) to

the external flammable gas or vapour ;

d. "competent person" 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-cum-Facilitator :

Provided that a graduate in mechanical engineering or chemical technology with

specialised knowledge of oils and fats and with a minimum experience of 5 years

in a solvent extraction plant shall also be considered to the a competent person :

Provided further that the State Government may accept any other qualifications

if in its opinion they are equivalent to the qualifications aforesaid.

2. Location and layout.-

1. No solvent extraction plant shall be permitted to be constructed

or extended to within a distance of 30 meters from the nearest

residential locality.

Il. A 1.5 meter high continuous wire fencing shall be provided

around the solvent/extraction plant upto a minimum distance of

15 meters from the plant.

III.

No person shall be allowed to carry any matches or an open

flame or fire inside the area round by the fencing.

IV.

Boiler houses and other buildings where open flame processes

are carried on shall be located at least 30 meters away from the

solvent extraction plant; If godowns and preparatory processes

are at a distance of less than 30 metres from the solvent

extraction plant, these shall be at least 15 meters distant from

the plant, and a continuous barrier wall of non-combustible

material

1.5 meters high shall be erected at a distance of not less than

15 meters from the solvent extraction plant so that it extends to

at least 30 meters of vapour travel around its ends from the

plant to the possible sources of ignition.

3. Electrical installations.-

Allelectricalemotorsoeandwiringeadofer electrical glpmen

nstalled or housed insolvent extraction plant shall be of

flameproof construction.

II. All metal parts of the plant and building including various tanks

and containers where solvents are stored or 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.Restriction on smoking.—Smoking shall strictly prohibited within 15 meters

distance from solvent extraction plant. For this purpose, "No

smoking" signs shall be permanently displayed in the area.

5. Precautions against friction.-

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.

I1.

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.

III.

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.-

I. Adequate number of portable fire extinguishers suitable for use

against flammable liquid fires shall be provided in the solvent

extraction plant.

II. 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 solventextraction plant and throughout

the building housing such plant.

7. Precautions against power failure.—Provision shall be made for the

automatic cutting off of steam in the event of power failure and also for

emergency overhead watersupply for feeding water by gravity to condensers

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 pressure in the event of fire.

9. Venting.-

1. Tanks containing solvents shall be protected with emergency

venting to relieve excessive internal pressure in the event of fire.

2. All emergency relief vents shall terminate at least 6 meters

above the ground and be so located that vapours will not 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 which

should be located within the fenced area but not closer than 8 meters to the

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 hour.

12. Housekeeping.-

I. Solvents shall not be stored in an area covered by solvent

extraction plant except in small quantities which shall be stored

in approved safety cans.

II. 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 removed from the premises at

least once a day.

Space within the solvent extraction plant and within 15 meters

from the plant shall be kept free from any combustible materials

and any spills of oil or solvent, shall be cleaned up immediately.

13. Examination and repairs.-

I The solvent extraction plant shall be examined by the competent

person 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.

IL.

No repairs shall be carried out to the machinery or plant except under

the direct supervision of the competent person.

before opening for cleaning or repairs and before introducing solvent

after repairs.

4.Operating personnel.-The operation ot the plant and machinery in tn

olvent extraction plant shall be in the charge of such duly qualitied an

trained persons as are certified by the competent person to be fit for the

purpose and no other person shall be allowed to operate the plant and

machinery.

15.Employment of women and young persons.—No woman or young

person shall be employed in the solvent extraction plant.

16. Vapour detection.—A suitable type of flameproof and portable combustible

gas indicator shall be provided and maintained in good working order and a

schedule of routine sampling of atmosphere at various locations as approved

by the chief inspector shall be drawnout and entered in a register maintained

for the purpose.

17.Exemption.-If in respect of any factory, the Chief Inspector- cum-

Facilitator is satisfied that owing to the exceptional circumstances or

infrequency of the processes 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, the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may by a certificate in

writing(which he may in his discretion revoke at any time) exempt such

factory from all or any of such provisions subject to conditions, if any, as he

may specify therein.