The Ministry of Steel has established a new apex-level body called the Steel Industry Safety Council (SISC) to strengthen safety standards and accident prevention across India’s steel sector. The council will be chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Steel and will bring together senior government officials, chief executives of major steel producers, and representatives from technical and safety organisations. Alongside this, a Steel Industry Safety Directorate (SISD) will be created to provide technical support and implement the council’s decisions.
Key facts
- Steel Industry Safety Council (SISC) established as apex body under Ministry of Steel
- Council chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Steel
- Members include Chief Executives of integrated steel producers and representatives from Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and steel technology institutions
- Steel Industry Safety Directorate (SISD) to be established as technical support wing
- Announcement made on 28 September 2026
What the council will do
The Steel Industry Safety Council will function as a policy-making and oversight body for the entire steel sector. It will assess the current state of safety across steel plants, facilitate research into better safety practices, and approve industry-wide safety standards and recommended practices. The council will also investigate serious accidents and near-miss incidents to learn lessons and prevent future occurrences. Additionally, it will guide the industry on strengthening safety awareness, training programmes and preventive measures.
The Steel Industry Safety Directorate
The SISD will be a technical arm that supports the council’s work. It will have specialists in multiple areas critical to steel manufacturing safety, including process safety in blast furnaces, steel melting operations, rolling mills, coke ovens, refractory systems, electrical and mechanical safety, occupational health, fire engineering and disaster management. The directorate will oversee how the council’s decisions are carried out in the field, conduct periodic safety audits at steel plants, maintain records of accidents and near-miss incidents, investigate serious safety incidents, review the readiness of plants for emergencies, and assess the quality of safety training being given to workers. The directorate will also develop and publish safety standards, recommended practices and guidelines that are tailored to Indian conditions and the needs of Indian steel plants.
Why this matters
Steel manufacturing involves high-risk operations including extreme temperatures, heavy machinery, chemical processes and confined spaces. Accidents in steel plants can cause serious injuries or deaths. The creation of a centralised council and directorate means the industry will now have a single authoritative body setting consistent safety standards across all plants, rather than each plant operating independently. This unified approach is intended to reduce accidents, improve worker safety and create a stronger safety culture where prevention is prioritised. The involvement of statutory organisations like DGMS and PESO ensures that safety standards are aligned with national regulations and best international practices.
What this means for you
If you work in a steel plant, the establishment of this council could lead to stricter safety protocols, better training, more regular safety audits and faster corrective action when hazards are identified. If you are considering employment in the steel sector, improved safety standards may make these workplaces safer. For steel industry stakeholders, the council provides a forum to influence sector-wide safety practices. For the government, this represents a step towards reducing industrial accidents and improving worker protection in one of India’s core industries.