According to the amended Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plan (ERDMP) regulations notified recently, entities will have to submit an explanation for lapses or violations that led to an accident within three months of the final incident investigation reportNEW DELHI: Tightening safety and accountability norms, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has made it mandatory for oil and gas companies to fix responsibility for major incidents and lapses at senior level and take action against those found responsible.According to the amended Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plan (ERDMP) regulations notified recently, entities will have to submit an explanation for lapses or violations that led to an accident within three months of the final incident investigation report, besides setting up an internal committee to determine responsibility and accountability. The committee of senior officials will have to be formed within a month of the final investigation report and will have five months to submit its report to the company’s director.Companies will then have to take disciplinary or administrative action against employees, contractors or agencies found responsible within three months of the committee’s report.“Constitute an internal committee to fix responsibility for each major incident and accountability for lapses or violations, at appropriate levels including senior officials of entity…” the notification stated.The new regulations come weeks after the regulator urged oil and gas companies to review and strengthen their compensation policies beyond statutory requirements to ensure adequate support for the families of workers killed or permanently disabled in accidents.Several fire incidents have been reported this year at oil and gas facilities, including one at the crude distillation unit of a new refinery in Rajasthan, another at the Mumbai High offshore oil field, a petrochemicals plant in West Bengal and, more recently, a blast at a CNG filling station in the capital.The notification has also brought board-level oversight into the post-incident process, with the officer at the level of nominated director required to place the action taken report, compliance with investigation recommendations and steps taken to prevent recurrence before their boards. The outcome of the board meeting will have to be submitted to PNGRB.The regulator has also prescribed time-bound action on the recommendations of incident investigation committees across locations to prevent recurrence of accidents. In cases involving death or permanent disability, companies will have to pay compensation in line with statutory requirements and their compensation policy, with at least 25% to be released within one month of the incident, the notification mentioned.