1. Reason for proposal
It is intended to supplement and improve some omissions in the operation of the current system by means of preparing the basis to adjust regular inspection time of high-pressure gas facilities against the occurrence of such disaster as COVID-19, to upgrade the standard of reporting the use of liquefied gas among specific pressure gases, which reflects changes in industrial environment; to adjust summing standard of refrigerating capacity of refrigerating equipment in the same building to rational level; and to assign the liability for installation of pressure release function when manufacturing containers in order to prevent rupture accidents of bonded containers for portable butane combustion devices.
2. Main content
A. Adjustment of the standard date for confirmation and assessment of high-pressure gas business operators, etc. for observation of safety control regulations (Article 20(1) of draft)
Effectiveness of confirmation and assessment are improved by conducting the first confirmation and assessment of safety control regulations after business opening and then at regular inspections.
B. Adjustment of regular inspection time of high-pressure gas manufacturing, storage, import, & utilization facilities against disasters and other emergency situations (Article 30(2) and Article 48(2) of draft).
Inconvenience of high-pressure gas business operators is relieved by adjusting regular inspection time of pressure gas facilities against occurrence of disasters such as COVID-19.
C. Improvement of the system of reporting full omission of inspection of imported containers, etc. (Article 37(2) and Appendix Form 28 of draft).
As the period to return safety-proved containers is extended by two (2) years maximum for smooth high-pressure gas supply and trace control of containers to meet regulation on export and demand for semiconductor gases in Japan, inspection-omission containers shall be confirmed.
D. Upgrade of the standard on the liquefied gases, the use whereof shall be reported among specific high-pressure gases (250kg→500kg) (Article 46(1)1 of draft).
The standard on the liquefied gases, the use whereof shall be reported among specific high-pressure gases, is upgraded reflecting changes in industrial environment.
E. Adjustment of summing standard of refrigerating capacity of refrigerating equipment in the same building (ii and F of Appendix Table 3 of draft).
Excessive appointment of safety controllers is improved by summing refrigerating equipment in the same building.
F. Preparation of safety security standard of protection facilities in the business place of high-pressure gas manufacturing facilities (Appendix Table 4.i.A 7) b) of draft).
Protective barriers are installed among protection facilities in the storage equipment and business place of a high-pressure gas manufacturer.
G. Liability for installation of pressure release function in bonded containers of portable butane combustion devices (Appendix Table 10.ii.L).
To prevent explosion accidents of bonded containers for portable butane combustion devices when manufacturing containers, pressure release function shall be installed.
H. Exclusion of air-filling containers for toxic gas removal activity or rescue of human life from application of high-pressure gas transportation standard (Appendix Table 30.i.B 5) b) and c) of draft).
Application of high-pressure gas transportation standard is excluded when transporting air-filling containers for the smooth refill of air-filling containers to be used for detoxication work or protection/ rescue of human life in the event of a workplace emergency.
