“Implementing robust safety practices is essential to promote gender inclusivity in workplaces” said Mr Avanindra Singh, IAS Secretary, Department of Labour, Government of West Bengal, while addressing the 19th edition of the Safety Symposium & Exposition organised by CII Eastern Region in Kolkata today. He emphasized about the importance of stress management and mindfulness at the workplace to ensure employee well-being.
Mr Singh pointed out that the by-products of one industry, even when toxic, can often serve as valuable resources for another. For instance, basalt salt, a harmful derivative in one sector, can be effectively used in the tea industry to enhance soil salinity. He further informed that the Departments of Fire, Labour, and Environment are working in close coordination to reduce industrial accidents across the state.
The two-day symposium, themed “Innovate HSE – Elevate Wellness”, commenced today with the objective of sensitising organisational leaders on the need to integrate holistic well-being into corporate practices.
Compendium on good practices on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) get released in the symposium which showcases the growing commitment of different organisations to achieving excellence in OHS. This practices directly aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), helping to create a safer, healthier and more productive workforce. Technology Intervention for Safety Management, Employee Wellness, Electrical Safety, Material Handling, Road Safety, Climate Action are the sectors which get covered.
“Investment in safety yields multiple dividends for any organisation,” stated Mr Pankaj Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, IndianOil Petronas Pvt Ltd.
Highlighting the role of technology, Mr Abhijit A. Nanoti, Managing Director, Jamshedpur Continuous Annealing & Processing Company Pvt Ltd, noted that digital interventions have significantly helped in addressing safety concerns. He further emphasised the importance of creating a collaborative ecosystem, where all stakeholders work together to strengthen the industry’s overall safety framework.
The first day of the symposium witnessed Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) Excellence Awards and footfall from major organizations like Tata Steel, ITC Ltd, IndianOil Petronas Pvt Ltd, Hindustan Unilever, Hindalco, Siemens Ltd., NTPC Ltd, Vedanta Ltd, etc.
