Extremely Professionally Organized, OSH India Has Been Pivotal In Bringing Industry Stalwarts & Professionals Under One Roof

We spoke to Mr. Hemant Sapra, President, Safety Appliances Manufacturers Association (SAMA) to understand the SAMA journey in India so far and your views on OSH awareness over the years, the new and innovative products launched in the Indian market, SAMA’s market strategy to increase awareness about OSH products in India and his views on OSH India and the work done by it in improving OSH awareness across South Asia.

1. Please tell us about the SAMA journey in India so far and your views on OSH awareness over the years.

SAMA, in recent times, has been redefining what it means to be a non-profit organization! As SAMA proudly strides into its Golden jubilee year in 2019, the legacy it carries is noteworthy. SAMA founders & co-founders laid the foundation of this association primarily for the benefit of manufacturers within the safety industry. Our evolution in recent years however, has led to the conviction, that we must expand opportunities for non-manufacturers within the safety industry too.

SAMA has been continuously striving to gather strength and propel its resources in the most yielding direction possible, thus benefiting various safety organisations, professionals, institutions alike.

When it comes to OSH Awareness over the years, Government of India has always impressed us. On the basis of Directive Principles as well as international instruments the Government of India, Ministry of Labour & Employment, declared the National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Workplace (NPSHEW) on 20 February 2009. From Incredible India to Swachh Bharat campaign GOI has done a spot on job with all their creative campaigns

Under the Ministry of Labour, Government of India, various agencies that are responsible for the implementation and monitoring of these laws and regulations are DISH, DGFASLI, Directorate of Factories, Municipal Corporations, Regional Fire Offices and Labour departments of state governments. The different parliamentary panels also make frequent amendments to existing labour laws, in order to make them more potent. For a huge and diverse country like India, the results are pretty decent.

There, however, remains a need to educate people further about the need for safety across all sectors of the industry, as well as, on the various equipment available, to enhance safety. This is where SAMA steps in to collaborate with GOI to further this education and awareness.

2. What are some of the new and innovative products launched in the Indian market?

While India is still a developing country, it climbed 3 spots to the 57th position on the Global Innovation Index (GII) in 2018. The rise in the GII is certainly a reason for cheer, yet India holds the potential to do much more.

To name a few, Automation of tasks which includes robots working alongside humans, Air conditioned helmets that help workers stay cool in the hottest of temperatures, waterproof tracking devices, Virtual Reality training sessions to be prepared for escape in case of an emergency, are some of the most recent innovations within the country.

3. What is your market strategy to increase awareness about OSH products in India?

SAMA’S endeavor is to create awareness with the end user of the latest trends in Occupational Safety, Health & Environment by way of Seminars, Discussions Group Visits, Exhibitions etc. Refraining from sales Promotion of any particular brand of product.

Our short term objectives include sharing of information, news and knowledge with all members on safety and occupational health related information of the industry. Tie-ups with event organizers to incentivize trade shows, exhibitions and business seminars for SAMA Members is another objective we have been fulfilling successfully in recent times.

From a long term perspective Tying-up with accredited laboratories for testing and certification of safety appliances within India remains one of our key goals. We’re also currently in the process of organizing state wise training sessions for members and/or non-members , conducted by reputed organizations in the country to enhance skill development. Apart from that a couple of other projects to enhance safety awareness all across the globe are also in the pipeline.

4. Please tell us about your views on OSH India and the work done by it in improving OSH awareness across South Asia.

OSH India has been pretty penetrative in its evolutionary approach over the past few years, which has been helping with exploration and optimal utilization of newer markets within the safety industry. Its power packed conferences have been worth writing home about!

Extremely professionally organized, OSH India has been pivotal in bringing industry stalwarts & professionals under one roof for networking and business opportunities. Not only this, OSH India has egged on fresh and innovative minds via the concept of the ‘The Innovation Zone’. Occupational Safety and Health has been abuzz with activity in recent times, even more so with the efforts of OSH India.

Higher levels of safety awareness, introduction to newest/latest technologies in the market, buyer seller meets, learning opportunities for budding youngsters, are just a few of the many positive outcomes that can be quoted in appreciation of the good work that OSH India has been doing!