How transparent is ONGC about lapses in HSE with its workforce?

New Delhi: In the backdrop of the barge mishap at state-run Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), multiple sources who have spoken to PSU Watch on the condition of anonymity, have pointed towards a history of lack of transparency in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) related issues, systemic inefficiencies and violation of protocols as the reasons behind the deteriorating safety practices at India’s largest crude oil and gas company. According to sources, a major concern has been the state of ONGC’s HSE website, which they have claimed was scrapped in 2017.

“The HSE website was a platform where inquiry reports on mishaps, annual HSE reports, internal safety audit reports, safety brochures and environment brochures were shared with all the employees of ONGC. It not only helped in maintaining transparency on HSE-related matters but it also gave the workforce access to inquiry reports and allowed them to take lessons from the lapses that caused the accident. Since 2017, the HSE website stands scrapped. These reports are no longer shared with all the employees at a platform which can be accessed by any ONGC employee,” said one of the sources quoted above.

“It will be better if ASTO (Association of Scientific and Technical Officers) and unions pressurise the management to put all inquiry committee reports and their status as well as internal and external audit reports and their implementation status be posted on ONGC website every quarter,” said another source on the condition of anonymity.