Safety, Health & Environment | Touching Lives Safety, Health & Environment HPCL maintains high standards of safety, health and environmental care at all its operating locations, always ensuring that increasing scales of operation have no negative impact on the standards of safety, health and environment and without losing sight of its long term goal of zero occupational injuries, operational incidents and environmental releases.   HPCL has made significant improvements in its safety performance over the years. The safety management systems of both the refineries are being audited continually by M/s. DNV, in line with their international safety rating system (ISRS). Mumbai Refinery & Visakh Refinery has already been upgraded from level 6 to level 8.   HPCL has won the following safety & environment awards for its Mumbai Refinery, Visakh Refinery and Marketing Locations: Greentech Safety Award (Gold) for 2003-04 National Safety Award 2003 for Longest Accident Free Period National Safety Award 2003 for Lowest Frequency Rate National Safety Council(Maharashtra Chapter) Award 2003 for Longest Accident Free Period National Safety Council (Maharashtra Chapter) Award for Meritorious Performance for the year 2000, 2001, 2002 $ 2003 Oil Industry Safety Directorate Safety Award for Best Overall Safety Performance for the year 2002-2003 NSCI Safety Award “Prashansa Patra" for the year 2003 Certificates of Merit for 11 marketing locations from National Safety Council for the excellent Safety Performance of these locations during 2002/03. Greentech Environment Excellent Award for both the Refineries for the year 2002-03 and 2003-04   HPCL has well-equipped health care facilities/arrangements at all major locations. Occupational Health is a focus area for HPCL and all issues pertaining to occupational health are addressed comprehensively.   Emissions of pollutants like SO2 have been drastically reduced from 60 TPD in 1984 to less than 25 TPD now, inspite of capacity increase from 4.5 MMTPA to 13 MMTPA and addition of various secondary processing and lube producing facilities.   HPCL had pioneered Eco-friendly technologies such as changeover from Phenol to NMP solvent in three lube extraction units and changeover from Oleum to NMP in the Hexane Treating Plant, which were widely appreciated. Diesel Desulphurisation facilities are fully operational in both the Refineries to reduce the sulphur in diesel from 1.0% to less than 0.05 %, to conform to BIS 2000/Euro II norms. HPCL has undertaken projects worth about Rs. 2750 crore for its “green fuels” project in its Refineries for de-bottlenecking and process upgradation for the production of Euro III diesel and petrol, to be in line with the national policy to implement Euro III and Euro IV norms for fuel quality in phases by 2010.   To develop a sustainable and environmentally sound strategy for long term management of hazardous solid wastes, HPCL has entered into a tripartite agreement with EPTRI, Hyderabad and VA-Projekt Sweden for preparing an “Integrated Hazardous Solid Waste Management Plan”. This is the first initiative of its kind in the oil industry. The plan is aimed at creating a technically viable and environmentally sound system for the management of every hazardous solid waste generated in the Refinery.   For handling the crude oil sludge, a two pronged strategy has been developed by HPCL. One is to develop a methodology for treating the sludge in-situ so that untreated sludge inventory does not build up. The other parallel strategy is to employ a suitable technology that can process the already accumulated sludge in a central facility. Thus over a period of time, we should be able to find a permanent and viable solution to the sludge problem.   Over 75% of the petroleum products from the Refineries are being evacuated through pipelines. Dependence on road transport for evacuation of products has been reduced drastically, resulting in considerable reduction in auto emissions to atmosphere.   The Environment Management System of both the Refineries, the Silvassa Lube Plant and Mangalore LPG Import Facilities have been audited and awarded accreditation under ISO-14001.   Mission To have safe, healthy and pollution free environment in and around all our refineries, plants, facilities and other premises at all times; instill awareness in these areas, including relevant laws, in all employees, their families and the communities in which we carry out our activities.   Environment Policy The Corporation is committed to conduct its operation in such a manner as compatible with environment and economic development of the community. Its aim is to create an awareness and respect for the environment, stressing on every employee’s involvement in environmental improvement by ensuring healthy operating practices, philosophy and training.   Health Policy To provide a structured program to look after and promote the health of vital ‘Human resource’, essential for productivity and effectiveness of the Corporation   Safety Policy As an integral part of its business, HPCL believes that no work or service or activity is so important or urgent that safety be overlooked or compromised. Safety of the employees and public, protection of their as well as Corporation’s assets shall be paramount. Corporation considers that safety is one of the important tools to enhance productivity and to reduce national losses. The Corporation will constantly endeavour to achieve and maintain high standards of Safety in its operations Touching Lives Beyond balance sheets and bottomlines lies a complex world It may not always seem to add up. But one we can make a difference to. If only we reach out and touch. With our hearts.   Amidst all the hustle & bustle of Corporate Lives... trying to give this growing Nation the energy it needs... and at the same time maintaining profitable operations, Hpcl has not distanced itself from its social responsibilities. Through our network spread across the country, we carry out welfare activities for the betterment of the underprivileged.   Over the years, HPCL has done considerable work under a special Component Plan. Our aim... to contribute towards improving the quality of life. Be it primary education or health care, provision of drinking water or vocational training, development of the infra - structure in rural areas through adoption of villages or assistance to the physically challenged ... through a wide range of assistance program we are trying to help people help themselves.   It all started in 1986, when we made a humble begining by launching our Special Component Plan and Tribal Sub - Plan by adopting a tiny hamlet of Manyapalem, situated near our Visakha Refinery. At that time, the village comprised of 27 families who survived by selling firewood collected from the nearby forest. While the Government of Andhra Pradesh provided them with dwellings, HPCL took upon itself the task of initiating a number of health, welfare and educational activities, as well as income generating schemes.   After the sucess of its development project at Manyapalem, HPCL undertook many such projects all over the country, especially in villages inhabitated by the socially and economically weaker sections.   One of HPCL's numerous sucess stories is Joduvanipalem, a small tribal village in Andhra Pradesh. Comprising of not more than 50 families, the people of this village were largely dependent on the age old custom of shifting agriculture, that gave them foodgrain enough only for a few months in a year at best. Today, with the help of the State government, these tribals have been alloted land and their make - shift homes have been replaced with regular houses. Provisions for irrigation like bore wells and water pumps have been made. A small school has also been set up to extend basic education to the children. Today, the residents of Joduvanipalem feel confident enough to sustain their growth on the strength of their own efforts and HPCL is looking to move on - to find another Joduvanipalem.   And this is not just it... HPCL has always been in the forefront whenever the Nation has needed its assistance. At all times of crises, be it natural or man - made, the Corporation and its employees have contributed selflessly towards allaying the pain and trauma of those affected. Infact, HPCL was the first in the Oil Industry in India to commission a Retail Outlet for the welfare of the dependents of the brave soldiers who laid down their lives during the Kargil conflict. A large number of such Retail Outlets and LPG Distributorships are being set up across the country.   On each and every occasion, HPCL has risen to lend a helping hand to the country... Just a small step towards building a great Nation.