Schedule XVIII

(See rule 84)

Process of Extracting Oils and Fats from Vegetables and Animals Sources in

Solvent Extraction Plants

1. Definitions – For the purpose of the 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 a flammable liquid such as pentane hexane and heptane used 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 and 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.

(e) Provided that 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:

(f) Provided further that the State Government may accept any other qualification, if in its opinion

they are equivalent to the qualifications aforesaid

2. Location and layout

(a) No solvent extraction plant shall be permitted to be constructed or extended to within a distance

of 30 from the nearest residential locality.

(b) A 1.5m high continuous wire fencing shall be provided around the solvent extraction

(c) plant up to a minimum distance of 15 m from the plant.

(d) No person shall be allowed to carry any matches or an openflame of fire inside the area bound by

the fencing.

(e) Boiler houses and other buildings where open flame processes are carried on shall be located at

least 30 m away from the solvent extraction plant.

(f) If godown and preparatory process are at a distance from of less than 30 m from the solvent

extraction plant, these shall be at least 15 m distant from the plant, and a continuous barrier wall

of non-combustible material 1.5 mhigh shall be erected at a distance of not less than 15 m from

the solvent extraction plant so that it extends to at least 30 m of vapour travel around its end from

the plant to the possible sources of ignition.

3. Electrical Installations

(a) All electrical motors and wiring and other 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 or are present and all parts of electrical equipment not required to be energized shall be

properly bounded 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 be prohibited within 15 m distance from solvent

extraction plant. For this purpose, “No smoking” signs shall be permanently be 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 plants 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 statical ectrical charge, or wearing footwear

which is likely to cause sparks by friction.

6. Firefighting apparatus

(a) Adequate number of portable fire extinguishers 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 openhead deluge system with sufficient

supply of storage water shall be provided over solvent extraction plant and throughout the

building housing such plant.

7. Precaution 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 water supply 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 conveyor 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 m above the ground and be so located that

vapor 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 m to the fence.

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

changer per hour.

12. Housekeeping-

(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 material such as oily rags other waste and absorbents used to wipe off solvents and paints

and oil shall be deposited in approved containers and removed from the premises at least once a

day.

(c) Space within the solvent extraction plant and within 15 m 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-

(a) 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-cum-Facilitator 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 within ertgas or steam before opening for cleaning

or repair 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 to operate the plant and machinery.

15. Employment of women and young person – No woman or young person shall be employed in the

solvent extraction plant.

16. Vapor detection – A suitable type of flame-proof and portable combustible gas indicator shall be

provided and maintained in good working order and a schedule of routing sampling of atmosphere at

various locations as approved by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator shall be drawn out and entered

in a register maintained for the purpose.

17. Exception – 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 person, all or any of the

provision 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/she may in his discretion revoke

at any time), exempt such factory from all or any of such provisions subject to such conditions, if any,

as he/she may specify therein.