India Issues Draft BIS Standard for Safe Handling Caustic Potash to Prevent Health Risks and Accidents

2025-10-09 Reference source : BIS

In a significant move to enhance workplace safety, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) issued a draft revision on 25 September 2025 titled ‘Caustic Potash - Code of Safety (First Revision of IS 6954), updating the previous edition first published in 1973. The proposed standard aligns with current industrial practices and aims to reinforce strict safety protocols to minimize health hazards and environmental impact. The draft is open for comments until 24 November 2025.

Caustic potash (potassium hydroxide; CAS no.:1310-58-3) is a highly corrosive and reactive chemical widely used in chemical manufacturing, cleaning agents, batteries, and food processing. If not handled properly, exposure can lead to severe chemical burns, respiratory damage, and even fatalities. The revised draft serves as a critical reference to ensure the protection of workers, facilities, and the environment.

Scope of the Standard

The revised standard provides a detailed framework covering:

- The general properties and associated hazards of caustic potash.

- The best practices for storage, handling, labelling, disposal, and waste management.

- Guidelines for cleaning and repairing containers and equipment.

- Requirements for personnel training, use of protective equipment, and first-aid protocols.

Please note that the standard does not address building or equipment design specifications.

Key Updates and Safety Enhancements

- Enhanced PPE Requirements: The draft mandates the use of chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, face shields, and respiratory protection. Contaminated clothing must be removed and decontaminated immediately to prevent skin injuries.

- Safe Storage & Handling: Caustic potash must be stored in corrosion-resistant containers under proper ventilation. Contact with incompatible substances, such as strong acids or reducing agents must be strictly avoided. Grounding of transport vehicles and trained supervision during unloading are compulsory.

- First-Aid and Medical Response: In case of exposure, the affected areas should be flushed with copious amounts of water for a minimum of 15 minutes. Eye contact requires immediate medical attention. Incidents involving inhalation or ingestion must be treated as medical emergencies, with specific procedures outlined.

- Environmental Protection: The draft provides procedures for spill containment, neutralization using dilute acids, and the safe disposal of hazardous waste to prevent environmental contamination.
- Personnel Training: All employees must undergo rigorous training on handling procedures, emergency response, and hazard recognition. Regular drills and refresher courses are encouraged to ensure preparedness.
- Regulatory Alignment: The draft adheres to Indian Standard IS 6831:2023 and other national safety codes, promoting uniform safety practices across the industry.

Conclusion

Caustic potash is a staple in numerous industrial processes, so the updated BIS guidelines come at a critical time. These enhanced safety measures are not only aimed at reducing health risks and workplace accidents, but also at ensuring compliance, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.

Organizations and safety professionals are strongly urged to adopt these protocols without delay. Comprehensive training, proper equipment, and a culture of safety vigilance are essential to protecting both workers and surrounding communities.

For more detailed information, companies should refer to the full text of the draft standard here and ensure their staff participate in authorized safety training programs and periodic drills.

We acknowledge that the above information has been compiled from BIS .

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India Issues Draft BIS Standard for Safe Handling Caustic Potash to Prevent Health Risks and Accidents

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