Uzbekistan: State regulation of industrial safety

published on 22 Oktober 2024 | reading time approx. 2 minutes

The industrial safety of hazardous production facilities (HPF) in Uzbekistan is regulated by the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Industrial Safety of Hazardous Production Subjects dated 28 September 2006^[1]. This law forms the basis of the legal framework for ensuring safety at industrial enterprises where hazardous substances are handled and aims to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of workers and the general public.

Definition and classification of hazardous production sites

Hazardous production sites are defined as companies or facilities in which hazardous substances are used, manufactured, processed or stored^[2]. This includes:

Use of hazardous substances: this includes explosive and flammable substances, hazardous substances classified in hazard classes I, II and III according to internationally recognized standards, explosives and industrial waste containing concentrations that are harmful to health.
Operation under pressure: equipment that is operated under a pressure of more than 0.07 megapascals or at temperatures above the boiling point of the working fluid.
Mining technologies: Mining, extraction and processing of minerals and the use of solid elevator equipment.

State supervision and safety standards

State regulation includes the definition and monitoring of occupational health and safety requirements for HPF. These requirements relate to the planning, construction, acceptance and operation of the facilities. A positive occupational safety certificate is a prerequisite for the construction or conversion of hazardous production facilities. The competent state bodies are responsible for inspections, monitoring compliance with safety standards and issuing operating licenses.

Obligations of operators

Operators of hazardous production facilities are obliged to comply with all relevant legal requirements. These include

Carrying out regular training for staff;
Preparation of emergency plans;
Certification of technical equipment;
Fulfillment of the qualification requirements for employees.

In the event of an accident, operators are obliged to investigate the causes of the incident, inform the relevant government agencies and take measures to protect employees^[3].

Compulsory insurance of civil liability

In order to reduce the risks and regulate the consequences of accidents, a set of rules on compulsory civil liability insurance has been introduced^[4]. These regulations cover damage to the life, health and property of third parties and to the environment. Important aspects are:

Insured events: An insured event occurs when the operator of a hazardous production object is liable for damage resulting from its operation.
Sum insured and premium: A minimum sum insured is set, which varies depending on the type of production object. The premium is calculated considering the individual risks.
Rights and obligations of the parties: The insurer has the right to assess the risk, while the policyholder is obliged to report changes and accidents immediately.
Compensation payments: After an accident, the policyholder must inform the insurer within three days in order to clarify the claims of the injured parties.

Conclusion

The state regulation of industrial safety in Uzbekistan, including the obligation to insure civil liability, plays a decisive role in protecting the population and the environment. Clear regulations and safety standards ensure comprehensive protection for both operators and third parties. In view of the increasing importance of safety standards and liability issues, this set of regulations represents a significant step towards risk reduction and contributes to the creation of a safe industrial environment.

[1] Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 28.09.2006 “On industrial safety of hazardous production units”

[2] Article 4 of the law of 28.09.2006 on the industrial safety of establishments with hazardous production

[3] Act on approval, authorization and notification procedures

[4] №271 - 10.12.2008. On additional measures to implement the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On industrial safety of hazardous production facilities” (lex.uz)