.In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,

(a) [ accident means an accident involving a fortuitous or sudden or unintended occurrence while handling any hazardous substance resulting in continuous or intermittent or repeated exposure to death of, or injury to, any person or damage to any property but does not include an accident by reason only of war or radio-activity;] [Substituted by Act 11 of 1992, Section 2, for Clause (a)(w.r.e.f. 31.1.1992).]

(b) Collector means the Collector having jurisdiction over the area in which the accident occurs;

(c) handling, in relation to any hazardous substance, means the manufacture, processing, treatment, package, storage, transportation by vehicle, use, collection, destruction, conversion, offering for sale, transfer or the like of such hazardous substance;

(d) hazardous substance means any substance or preparation which is defined as hazardous substance under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), and exceeding such quantity as may be specified, by notification, by the Central Government;

(e) insurance means insurance against liability under sub-section (1) of section 3;

(f) notification means a notification published in the Official Gazette;

(g) [ owner means a person who owns, or has control over handling any hazardous substance at the time of accident and includes, [Substituted by Act 11 of 1992, Section 2, for Clause (g)(w.r.e.f. 31.1.1992).]

(h) prescribed means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(i) rules means rules made under this Act;

(j) vehicle means any mode of surface transport other than railways.