New Rules Mandate Central Government Inquiry for Fatal Boiler Accidents

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through its Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, issued a significant notification on September 10, 2025, introducing the Boiler Accident Inquiry Rules, 2025. This new set of rules, published as G.S.R. 616(E), came into force immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette. The rules were enacted in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (g) of sub-section (2) of section 39 of the Boilers Act, 2025 (12 of 2025), and they supersede the previous Boiler Accident Inquiry Rules, 2021, while preserving actions taken or omitted under the earlier framework.

The primary objective of these rules is to establish a more stringent and centralized mechanism for investigating accidents involving boilers, particularly those resulting in fatalities. Upon receipt of a report concerning an accident to a boiler or boiler component under section 23 of the Boilers Act, a preliminary inquiry is mandated to be conducted in the State where the incident occurred. A key change introduced by the 2025 rules is the enhanced role of the Central Government in cases where an accident leads to any death. In such circumstances, the Chief Inspector (an officer appointed under the Act responsible for boiler safety) of the concerned State is now required to forward a detailed report, in a prescribed format known as Form A, without delay to the Technical Adviser (an expert appointed under the Act) within the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

The legislation provided: “Without prejudice to rule 3, where any death has resulted due to an accident, an inquiry shall also be conducted by the Central Government.” This provision underscores the heightened scrutiny for fatal incidents. For these serious accidents, an inquiry committee is to be constituted within fifteen days of receiving the Chief Inspector's report. This committee, tasked with conducting the inquiry within forty-five days of the report's receipt, comprises the Technical Adviser as Chairperson, a Chief Inspector or Director of Boiler as a member, and a representative from boiler and boiler component manufacturers or users, or any other member of the Central Boilers Board, as another member. The Central Government retains the discretion to co-opt additional persons to the committee, provided they have no conflict of interest, if their expertise is deemed beneficial to the inquiry.

The procedure for the inquiry committee involves a careful examination of damaged parts, taking necessary measurements, sketches, and photographs for their report. The committee is mandated to investigate the circumstances, nature, and extent of the accident, determine the cause of death and injury to persons, and assess property damage, subsequently submitting its findings to the Central Government. Following the Central Government's acceptance of the report, the Technical Adviser forwards it to the Chief Inspector of the concerned State for the implementation of recommended actions. A crucial safety measure stipulated by the rules is that a boiler involved in an accident resulting in death cannot be put back into use until the inquiry is fully completed. After the inquiry, the Chief Inspector of the State will determine whether the boiler can be operated again, potentially at a lower pressure, either without repairs or pending the completion of any ordered repairs or alterations. The rules aim to ensure comprehensive and timely investigations, thereby enhancing industrial safety and accountability in the operation of boilers across the country.

Keywords: Boiler Accident Inquiry Rules, 2025, Boilers Act, Central Government, Industrial Safety, Accident Investigation, Chief Inspector, Technical Adviser, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Boiler Safety Geo Tags: India, Not Applicable District: Not Applicable