In accordance with the decision of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee dated May 27, 2026 No. 427 "On the results of the heating season 2025/2026 and preparation for work in the autumn-winter period 2026/2027" (hereinafter – Decision No. 427), the Vitebsk Regional Department of State Supervision of the State Committee for Supervision of Industrial Safety is conducting inspections of heat sources in the region to assess their readiness for operation during the 2026/2027 heating season.

The main characteristic violations identified during the inspection of boiler houses include:

failure to verify the knowledge of responsible specialists and operating personnel;

failure to carry out technical diagnostics for equipment that has reached its designated service life or its technical inspection;

failure to perform tuning and adjustment work on boilers;

failure to carry out maintenance of main and auxiliary equipment of boiler houses;

failure to perform current repairs and maintenance of gas distribution systems and gas consumption facilities of boiler houses;

absence or lack of calibration of carbon monoxide (CO) content sensors in boiler houses with permanent staff;

lack of control over the operation of safety automation systems and boiler regulation systems, which may lead to incidents;

lack of control over the quality of network and makeup water, which may lead to scale and sludge deposits, increased wall temperatures of heating surfaces, reduced strength, and consequently, increased fuel consumption, the need for premature and costly repairs, and sometimes even replacement, etc.

In accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, the Department for Supervision of Safe Industrial Operations of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (Gospromnadzor), as a state supervision body, participates in the acceptance into operation of construction facilities subject to supervision in the field of industrial safety.

According to Article 113 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Architectural, Urban Planning and Construction Activities dated July 17, 2023 No. 289-Z (hereinafter – the Code), the compliance of facilities accepted into operation with project documentation must be confirmed by conclusions of state supervision bodies issued within their competence. In this regard, state construction supervision bodies issue their conclusions taking into account the presence of conclusions on the same facility from other state supervision bodies. Acceptance into operation of facilities without positive conclusions from state supervision bodies is not permitted.

Gas distribution and gas consumption facilities commissioned after construction, reconstruction, technical modernization, installation, commissioning, or major repair (hereinafter – construction facilities) are subject to acceptance into operation in accordance with the legislation in the field of architectural, urban planning and construction activities, and the Rules on ensuring industrial safety in the field of gas supply approved by the Resolution of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus No. 66 dated December 5, 2022 (hereinafter – the Rules).

The issuance of a conclusion on the compliance of a construction facility being put into operation with permitting and design documentation (in terms of operational reliability and industrial safety) is preceded by an inspection of the construction facility within the framework of a working commission for acceptance of hazardous production facilities (HPF) and potentially hazardous facilities (PHF). The inspection of the construction facility is conducted with regard to PHF, as well as technical devices (TD) subject to industrial safety expertise, in order to determine the compliance of the installed construction facility with design, as-built, and permitting documentation, requirements of normative legal acts (hereinafter – NLA), including technical normative legal acts (hereinafter – TNLA) in the field of industrial safety, and to identify possible installation defects. The inspection of the construction facility is carried out upon a written request from the customer (developer).

In accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 91 of the Code, the customer and developer are specified in the decision of the local executive and administrative body issuing the permitting documentation for construction.

The inspection of any construction facility begins with an analysis of the design documentation. A representative of Gospromnadzor studies the project (project sections): the general explanatory note (GEN), project sections whose technical solutions affect the scope of the Rules (GSN, GSV), and automation (AGSV).

Also, the working commission, which includes representatives of the customer (developer), the developer of the design documentation, contractors who carried out installation and, if necessary, commissioning works, gas supply and/or operating organizations, as well as an official of Gospromnadzor, inspects the construction facility and evaluates:

the presence of licenses of design, construction and commissioning organizations for the right to carry out activities in the field of industrial safety, information on the verification of licensing requirements;

compliance of the construction facility with the approved design documentation, a positive conclusion of the state expertise of the construction project (sections of the construction project, the technical solutions of which affect the scope of these Rules);

the possibility to independently, fully and safely operate the construction phases, start-up complexes being put into operation;

accessibility of equipment for maintenance and repair;

compliance of the construction facility with the requirements of industrial safety, operational reliability, including the organization's readiness for operation of the facility, production of products (performance of works, provision of services);

compliance with the requirements of the technical regulations of the Customs Union, the Eurasian Economic Union.

Potentially hazardous facilities and technical equipment installed at the construction site must have documents confirming compliance with the technical regulations of the Customs Union (TR CU), as established by the decisions of the Customs Union Commission, the legislation of the Republic of Belarus in the field of industrial safety, including the Rules. In case the technical equipment does not fall under the scope of TR CU, it must be manufactured in accordance with the permit of Gospromnadzor.

The final part of the inspection involves studying the construction facility with an on-site visit to its location. During the on-site inspection, the actual condition of the installed industrial facilities (PPO) and utility connections (TU) is analyzed, compliance with the requirements of normative legal acts (NLA) and technical normative legal acts (TNLA) in the field of industrial safety is verified, and, if necessary, local normative legal acts of the industrial safety subject are also reviewed.

Based on the results of the construction facility inspection, information about the inspection is recorded in the report of the working commission for acceptance of hazardous production facilities (HPF) and industrial facilities (PPO) into operation, and an acceptance certificate is signed in the form specified in Appendix 2 to the Rules, following the procedure outlined below:

If the facility includes equipment requiring commissioning works, acceptance is carried out in two stages:

First stage: upon the working commission’s decision on the readiness of the construction facility for commissioning works, the acceptance certificate is signed in accordance with paragraph 9 of Appendix 2 to the Rules.

The initial gas supply to the construction facility (filling of LPG tanks) is permitted after completion of finishing works in the gasified premises and signing of the acceptance certificate by the working commission in accordance with paragraph 39 of the Rules.

The start and end dates of commissioning works, but not exceeding three months, are set by the official of Gospromnadzor in accordance with paragraph 46 of the Rules.

Second stage: upon signing by the working commission in the acceptance certificate a decision on the full completion of commissioning works and compliance of the construction facility with permitting and design documentation (in terms of operational reliability and industrial safety), the construction facility shall be considered accepted into operation.

In the absence of equipment at the facility requiring commissioning works, acceptance is carried out in one stage. The working commission signs a decision in the acceptance certificate stating that the construction facility submitted for acceptance shall be deemed accepted for operation.

The date of acceptance on the first page of the acceptance certificate is established by the official of Gospromnadzor, and the acceptance certificate is signed only upon the presence of signatures of all members of the working commission.

Compliance of the construction facility accepted for operation as a whole, of the allocated construction stages, and of commissioning complexes with permitting and design documentation (in terms of operational reliability and industrial safety) is confirmed by a conclusion issued by Gospromnadzor in accordance with sub-item 3.9.3 of item 3.9 of the unified list of administrative procedures approved by the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated September 24, 2021 No. 548.

Operation of gas distribution system and gas consumption facilities not accepted by the working commission in the established manner, including those not provided with electrochemical protection in accordance with the design, is prohibited.

Liability for operation or transfer for operation of a construction facility (construction stage, commissioning complex) without its acceptance in the established manner or with violation of such acceptance procedure is provided for by Part 3 of Article 22.5 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses dated January 6, 2021 No. 91-Z.

The following information is provided for guidance in the field of transport of dangerous goods.

During the implementation of supervisory activities, it was established that the overwhelming majority of heads and specialists of entities engaged in the transport of dangerous goods (hereinafter – enterprises) do not control the process of conducting inspections and testing of tank vehicles by experts of inspecting organizations (hereinafter – expert), thereby violating the requirements of the Rules for ensuring the safety of transport of dangerous goods by road in the Republic of Belarus, approved by the Decree of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus dated 17.05.2021 No. 35 (hereinafter – Rules), with regard to ensuring control over the implementation of prescribed inspections of tank vehicles. However, to exercise control, it is important for heads and specialists to understand the subject of control itself (the purpose of conducting inspections and testing, types of inspections and testing, volume of work performed, etc.).

In this material, to assist heads and specialists responsible for the safety of transport of dangerous goods, we provide an approximate list of work that an expert of an inspecting organization should perform when conducting inspections and testing of tank vehicles.

Approximate scope of work to be performed by the expert during inspections. Typically, an inspection of a tank vehicle includes:

verification of the presence of the manufacturer's operational documentation for the vehicle and technological equipment;

external and internal inspection of the tank;

hydraulic testing (leak tightness test);

verification of operational equipment.

The expert is required to verify the presence of operational documentation for the vehicle and all technological equipment (tank, shut-off valves, pressure relief valves, bottom valves, bottom valve control units, pump, etc.).

The list of required operational documentation for special and technological equipment is typically specified in the operation manual or the tank vehicle passport. In the absence of the required documentation, operation of the tank vehicle must be prohibited until appropriate duplicates are developed (restored). Duplicates of operational documents may be requested from the tank vehicle manufacturer or developed by inspection organizations.

External and internal inspection of the tank.

The expert must perform a complete visual inspection of the internal part of the tank body to identify any defects. To do this, it is necessary to clean the tank and use a gas analyzer to check the safe level of harmful substance concentration inside the tank. After that, remove the cover of the tank filling neck, enter the tank (if necessary, remove baffles), and carry out a thorough inspection of the internal surface of the tank.

During the external inspection, the following are checked:

condition of the tank for the presence of any surface defects and determination of leakage;

condition of the paint coating;

attachment of the tank to the chassis, attachment of structural elements of the tank;

marking of the tank, presence of corresponding hazard signs, stamps, and inscriptions;

operational condition of grounding devices.

Hydraulic testing. One of the most important stages of inspection and testing of a road tank vehicle is hydraulic testing.

Hydraulic testing is carried out to check the strength and tightness of the tank during its operation. Hydraulic testing cannot be replaced by another type of test (pneumatic), unless otherwise specified in the current Regulations. Before the start of hydraulic testing, the tank must be dry and clean to enable detection of any leaks. If the ambient temperature is below 0°C, hydraulic testing must be conducted in a heated (warm) room. For hydraulic testing purposes, the tank must be filled with water, hermetically sealed, and, using special equipment (hydrostatic testers), the required excess water pressure must be created (but not less than 1.3 times the maximum working pressure). As a rule, the tank is maintained under excess pressure for at least 15 minutes.

Both the tank as a whole and each compartment (if present) are subject to hydraulic testing. During hydraulic testing, vent valves must be removed, and the openings for installing vent valves must be plugged.

The tank is considered to have failed the hydraulic test if any of the following defects are detected during the test:

leakage;

unjustified pressure drop during the test;

permanent deformation.

Inspection of operational equipment.

Inspection of operational equipment allows determining whether the operational equipment and its labeling comply with the requirements of technical documentation and whether it is suitable for further safe operation of the tank vehicle.

During the inspection of operational equipment, the expert must check:

whether all operational equipment is installed on the tank vehicle, properly secured, and functioning in accordance with the manufacturer's technical documentation requirements;

pipelines, valves, cooling (heating) systems, and sealing gaskets for corrosion, wear, leakage, etc.;

the condition of devices for tightening (securing) manhole covers, flange connections for the absence or loosening of bolts or nuts;

the operability and testing of the tank's pressure relief valve to ensure correct opening at the set pressure and subsequent automatic hermetic closure. For this purpose, the pressure relief valve must be installed on a special test stand, adjusted, and sealed if there is a place for sealing.

Inspection deadlines.

periodic inspection no later than every 6 years – for built-in tanks (tank vehicles), removable tanks, and battery vehicles;

intermediate inspection not less frequently than every 3 years – for built-in tanks (tank vehicles), removable tanks, and battery vehicles after the initial and each periodic inspection.

Note: Intermediate inspections may be conducted within three months before or after the specified date.

An unscheduled inspection is conducted if, as a result of repair, structural modification, or a traffic accident, the reliability of the tank or its equipment may have been compromised.

Requirements for inspection organizations.

Before concluding a contract for the inspection and testing of tank vehicles, it is necessary to ensure that the inspection organization meets the following requirements and conditions:

the inspection organization holds a valid accreditation certificate confirming compliance with the requirements of the fundamental standard GOST ISO/IEC 17025-2019 (ISO/IEC 17025:2017);

the scope of accreditation for the aforementioned certificate includes:

as the object of testing – tanks intended for the transport of dangerous goods;

as documents containing requirements for the object of testing, the relevant sections of Appendix A to the ADR and the Regulations;

To prevent accidents and injuries during the operation of lifting cranes, we inform crane owners and work supervisors of the procedures to follow upon receiving warnings about adverse hydro-meteorological phenomena.

It is prohibited to carry out crane installation works, operate lifting cranes installed outdoors when wind speed exceeds the maximum values specified in the manufacturer's installation instructions (crane passport), during rain or fog, and in other cases where the crane operator cannot clearly distinguish signals from the rigger or see the load being moved.

When work is suspended, the following actions must be taken:

-move boom self-propelled cranes to the transport position;

-set tower and portal cranes to the positions specified in the operation manual;

-secure lifting cranes moving along an outdoor crane runway with anti-rollback devices (clamps) and verify their proper condition;

-verify the proper condition of the brakes of the crane travel mechanisms;

-take additional measures if necessary (installing wheel chocks on rails under the running wheels, securing with guy wires, etc.);

-ensure that no persons are present in hazardous zones.

Make the necessary entries in the watch logs.

Every year with the onset of the summer period, the operating season for amusement rides begins. Bright and various swings, inflatable trampolines, water, land, air, high-speed, shooting fun, and seemingly harmless ones... Not every child can calmly walk past such entertainment. However, in addition to positive emotions, serious injuries can be sustained on amusement rides.

Regarding amusement rides in the Republic of Belarus, the Eurasian Economic Union Technical Regulation "On the Safety of Amusement Rides" (TR EAEs 038/2016), the Rules for Ensuring Industrial Safety of Amusement Rides, approved by the Decree of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus dated December 27, 2015 No. 67, and the Rules for Ensuring Technical Safety "Requirements for the Operation of Inflatable Amusement Ride Equipment," approved by the Decree of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus dated November 17, 2022 No. 64, which establish requirements for the operation of amusement rides, are in effect.

However, the existence of operational requirements for amusement rides does not relieve parents of responsibility for the safety of their children. Because danger usually lies in what we cannot control.

It is difficult to imagine a modern construction site without a lifting crane. The use of this serious construction equipment allows cargo handling operations to be carried out in the shortest possible time, significantly reducing human labor. At first glance, such equipment seems quite reliable, and this is indeed the case, provided that the requirements of industrial safety rules are met. Timely maintenance, repair, inspection, and diagnostics are the key to safe work production at any construction site.

Indeed, on large construction sites, in factory workshops and plants, these requirements are met. Lifting cranes here are in good working condition and serve for a long time. Crane operators and slingers are trained, undergo annual knowledge checks, and the industrial safety engineer strictly monitors compliance with all rules.

But what if short-term cargo handling operations need to be performed, for example, on the territory of a factory, school, or clinic? Such a need may arise when building a private residential or country house!

In this case, we will most likely search for the services of an automotive lifting crane by entering a query on the Internet. And there will be many such offers on the network, and then the question of the price for services will arise. Due to haste, no one will even think about the safety and quality of such a service.

It should be noted that there have been tragic incidents resulting from a specific sequence of events. For example, in July 2025, an accident occurred at one of the enterprises during work performed using an automotive crane. Due to the failure of the crane’s slewing bearing, the crane boom and the operator’s cabin of the lifting crane overturned, resulting in a fatal injury to the crane operator. An investigation revealed that the lifting crane belonged to an individual entrepreneur and was not registered with Gospromnadzor. The crane had not undergone technical diagnostics or technical inspection, and the operating parameters recorder, a device that should have warned of exceeding the lifting capacity, was non-functional.

To prevent similar incidents at enterprises (facilities), when ordering a lifting crane from a third-party organization, it is necessary to verify: the crane operator’s specific operational skills, i.e., documents confirming that the employee has undergone training for operating the crane; whether the lifting crane is registered with Gospromnadzor; whether the crane has passed technical inspection and diagnostics; and that the crane operator possesses a certificate authorizing service of potentially hazardous facilities, with a mark confirming successful knowledge testing, as well as a watch log with a mark authorizing the performance of work.

Owners of cranes should also remember that violation by an individual entrepreneur or official of industrial safety requirements at potentially hazardous facilities, for which work organization is subject to state supervision, entails a fine of four to twenty base values, and for an individual entrepreneur – a fine of ten to thirty base values.

Comply with the requirements of industrial safety rules! Take care of yourself!

The Vitebsk Regional Department of the State Inspectorate for Industrial Safety notifies business entities that by the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated October 25, 2022 No. 726, the “Regulation on the Procedure for Establishing Protection Zones for Gas Distribution System Facilities, Their Sizes and Modes of Use” was approved (hereinafter – the Regulation).

Gas pipeline protection zone – a land area located between two parallel lines running on either side of the gas pipeline axis.

According to the Regulation, the following sizes of protection zones are defined:

• along high-pressure gas pipelines of Category I – in the form of a land area bounded by conditional lines running 10 meters from the gas pipeline axis on each side;
• along high-pressure gas pipelines of Category II – in the form of a land area bounded by conditional lines running 7 meters from the gas pipeline axis on each side;
• along medium-pressure gas pipelines – in the form of a land area bounded by conditional lines running 4 meters from the gas pipeline axis on each side;
• along low-pressure gas pipelines – in the form of a land area bounded by conditional lines running 2 meters from the gas pipeline axis on each side;
• along underwater crossings of gas pipelines – in the form of a water area from the water surface to the bottom, enclosed between parallel planes located 50 meters from the axes of the outermost strands of the gas pipeline crossings on each side;
• around the buildings of gas pressure regulating stations (GPS), pressure-reducing pressure regulating stations (PRPS), territories of automated gas filling stations (AGFS), regulator units (RU) and group cylinder installations - in the form of a land plot bounded by a conditional line located 10 meters away from the boundaries of the specified facilities in all directions.

In accordance with paragraph 640 of the Rules for ensuring industrial safety in the field of gas supply, approved by the resolution of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus dated December 5, 2022 No. 66, during the performance of repair, construction and earthworks in the protection zones of gas distribution system facilities, the integrity of gas pipelines and structures must be ensured.

Within the boundaries of hazardous zones, the following are prohibited:

-moving, dismantling, covering, or damaging markers of the route of underground gas pipelines and locations of network structures on them, control and measurement points;

-unauthorized opening of covers of gas wells and manholes, gates of regulator units (RU) and doors of gas pressure regulating stations (GPS), pressure-reducing pressure regulating stations (PRPS), and stations for protecting gas pipelines from corrosion, as well as opening and closing valves and shut-offs, disconnecting and connecting power supply and telemetry systems of gas pipelines;

-creating dumps, pouring out aggressive liquids, including solutions of acids, salts, and alkalis;

-stockpiling materials and equipment, including for temporary storage, along the route of an underground gas pipeline within 2 meters on either side of its axis;

-destroying structures and devices designed to protect gas pipelines and structures on them from damage;

-dropping anchors, passing with dropped anchors, chains, leads, sledges, and conducting trawling with rigid and semi-rigid trawls;

-starting fires and placing any open or closed sources of ignition;

-to conduct any events related to large gatherings of people not engaged in performing work permitted in the established manner;

-to carry out construction of buildings, structures, and facilities in violation of the minimum distances to gas distribution system facilities established by technical normative legal acts, including building codes, and other rules;

-to carry out planting, cultivation, or allow the growth of trees within:

• 1 meter on each side from the axis of an underground polyethylene gas pipeline with a diameter up to 63 mm inclusive;
• 2 meters on each side from the axis of an underground steel gas pipeline regardless of its diameter, and an underground polyethylene gas pipeline with a diameter greater than 63 mm.

- to carry out repair, construction, and earthworks without permission issued by the gas supply organization (unless otherwise specified in the Regulation).

If a legal entity or individual entrepreneur needs to carry out repair, construction, and earthworks in the protection zone of a gas distribution system facility, to obtain permission, they submit to the gas supply organization or its structural subdivision in written or electronic form through the unified portal of electronic services:

an application for obtaining permission to carry out repair, construction, and earthworks in the protection zone of a gas distribution system facility;

a work execution project that meets the requirements of legislation on architectural, urban planning, and construction activities.

The gas supply organization (its structural subdivision) considers an application for the performance of works, a work execution project, and makes a decision on issuing a permit to a legal entity or individual entrepreneur or on refusal to issue it (refusal to carry out the administrative procedure) within the time limit established in sub-item 3.15.1 of item 3.15 of the unified list of administrative procedures carried out in relation to subjects of economic activity, approved by the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of September 24, 2021 No. 548 (5 working days, and in case of sending a request to other state bodies, other organizations – 15 working days).

Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs who have received a permit are obliged to comply with (execute) the requirements (conditions) specified in it for the performance of repair, construction and earthworks in the protection zone.

Upon expiration of the validity period of the permit, the interested party has the right to apply in the manner established by these Regulations for a new permit in case the period for performing repair, construction and earthworks exceeds or has exceeded three months.

Works in the protection zone are carried out in the presence of the work supervisor, as well as a representative of the gas supply organization (owner of the gas distribution system facility) in the manner determined by the permit.

Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs carrying out repair, construction and earthworks in protection zones are obliged no later than one day before the start of works in the manner determined by the permit to call a representative of the gas supply organization (owner of the gas distribution system facility) to the place where the works are being performed.

Agricultural work in protection zones is carried out by land users with prior notification to the owners of the gas distribution system facilities about the commencement of such work.

We draw the attention of business entities that, in accordance with Article 18.34 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses dated January 6, 2021 No. 91-3, with due regard to amendments and additions, violation of the rules for the protection of main and other pipelines entails imposition of a fine in the following amounts: for individuals – from ten to forty base values, for individual entrepreneurs – up to fifty base values, for legal entities – up to two hundred base values.

Vitebsk Regional Department of the State Inspectorate for Industrial Safety.

A citizen has the right to drill a well and use groundwater on their own land plot without obtaining a permit. Although there are no strict restrictions in this regard, it is still necessary to follow the rules, which will help ensure safety. Today, various organizations offer well drilling services, which can be divided into two groups: professionals and "do-it-yourself" practitioners.

A professional organization will necessarily have a geologist on staff who will study the terrain, geological cross-section, and the depth of groundwater.

The second important aspect is the equipment used by the organization. In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Industrial Safety," the State Industrial Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus issues a permit (certificate) for the right to drill wells, including those deeper than 20 meters. The presence of this document confirms that the workers have sufficient qualifications and are authorized to work at potentially hazardous facilities. Upon completion of all work, the organization is required to issue a well passport to the customer.

The staff of self-employed organizations does not include geologists; therefore, all work is carried out largely by guesswork. Moreover, their equipment is quite primitive, so they drill shallow wells. Even if they reach water, it may dry up within one to two years. This is particularly common in areas with predominantly clay soils, where water is located at depths greater than 20 meters. Such so-called amateur organizations, as a rule, do not issue a well passport.

Price is also important to people, but "self-employed" operators charge only slightly less for their services than professionals.

The list of organizations that currently hold a valid permit (certificate) from Gospromnadzor for drilling wells for solid, liquid, or gaseous minerals deeper than 20 meters is available on the official website of Gospromnadzor (https://gospromnadzor.mchs.gov.by/administrativnye-protsedury/razresheniya/).