Kishwer Jawed, Corporate SHE Head, TATA Projects Limited talks about the pre-requisites for safety managers before they conduct a workplace safety audit, key points he would like to convey to employees as part of an Occupational Safety Communication Program, his approach to resolve non-compliance to safety norms among employees, and a key moment at workplace that highlights efficient and effective handling of resources.

Interviewed by Adeesh Sharma

What are the pre-requisites for safety managers before they conduct a workplace safety audit?

§ Review existing workplace safety performance by verifying all past audit reports, observation analysis reports, incident reports, legal requirements and training requirements of the area to be audited.

§ Understand the needs and expectations of management, legal requirements of other internal & external interested parties.

§ Define scope and extent of the audit based on above needs and expectations of interested parties.

§ Create effective checklist based on scope & objectives.

§ Prepare process models & audit approach i.e. vertical & horizontal approach.

§ Decide type of audit. 

§ Perform a pre-audit meeting with all field auditors / relevant audit team members.

§ Inform all managers and supervisors (if it’s not a surprise audit) so that all necessary documents, records, and procedures will be readily available when the audit begins.   

What are some of the key points that you would like to convey to employees as part of an Occupational Safety Communication Program?

§ Communication of SHE policy requirements, other needs & expectations of the Management.

§ Communication of objectives & targets of OSH.  

§ Communication of roles, responsibilities and authorities of the employees towards OSH.

§ Communication of summary reports with respect to critical observations & NCs.

§ Communication of safe practices amongst all employees.   

§ Communication of lesson learnt from Incidents.

§ Communication of Management review outcomes.

How would you address non-compliance to safety norms among employees?

I would like to proceed in the following manner:

§ Understand the conditions & existence of Non-conformity.

§ Analyze the gap with respect to criteria and assess the level of risk or exposure to the company.

§ Recommendations and actions with respect to cause-focused, condition-focused & recovery-focused/ elimination of possible similar NCs in future.

§ Follow-up & surveillance visits in order to check the effectiveness / impact of corrective actions.          

Please tell us about a key moment to highlight efficient and effective handling of resources.

There was an incident which occurred due to involvement of men & machinery simultaneously while carrying out a horizontal boring job. The job involved mechanical material handling with heavy machines and massive involvement of manual material handling happening simultaneously at the workplace. We performed necessary investigation & approached management with different work processes which involved elimination of manpower to a greater extent & execution of work with mechanical handling majorly. It was the most efficient & effective handling of resources & timely completion of job.