OSH India Show Facilitates Exchanges Of Global Best Practices And Seeks Solutions For Challenges In Upholding Workplace Safety And Health

We spoke to Mr. Pulak Sen, Founder Secretary General, MRO Association of India to understand key challenges related to implementing safety regulations within a large organization, the adherence to MRO best practices among their members, the new and innovative occupational safety practices as part of MRO of aircraft and his views on OSH India expo and the role played by it in enhancing OSH awareness.

Interviewed by Adeesh Sharma

Q. 1 What are the key challenges related to implementing safety regulations within a large organisation?

Ans. There are many challenges related to implementation of safety regulations in a large organisation. However, in aviation, Safety is sacrosanct and is adhered to without fail. Aviation safety is at the core of airlines/MROs fundamental Objectives.

Q2. As the head of MRO Association, how do you ensure adherence to MRO best practices among members?

Ans. The aviation industry, including MROs, Airlines and Manufacturers, follow set down safety standards by regulatory authorities. Regular safety trainings are imparted to staff of these organisations. A safety management system (SMS) in aviation commonly refers to a set of processes and tools to formally manage a structured safety programme.

Aviation SMS programmes are based on International Civil Aviation Orgination (ICAO) standards or recommendations. Guidelines for managing safety programmes at a state level and the individual operator level are found in the "SMS Bible," ICAO Document 9859. These processes are outlined in Document 9859 and organized into four components: Safety Policy; Safety Risk Management; Safety Assurance; and, Safety Promotion.

These four components are commonly called the four pillars in aviation SMS programmes. In each component or pillar are between two to five elements to further organize the system. If an organisaion’s SMS programme lacks any of these elements, it does not have a compliant SMS programme. Each element has general requirements and best practices.

Q3. What are some of the new and innovative occupational safety practices as part of MRO of aircraft?

As described previously, hese four components are commonly called the four pillars in aviation SMS programmes. In each component or pillar are between two to five elements to further organize the system. If an organisaion’s SMS programme lacks any of these elements, it does not have a compliant SMS programme. Each element has general requirements and best practices.

Q4, Please tell us about your views on OSH India expo and the role played by it in enhancing OSH awareness.

Ans. OSH India Expo is a great effort by the organisers. Through OSH India events you make aware every types industry the Occupational Safety and Health hazards faced by them. The show facilitates exchanges of global best practices and seeks solutions for challenges in upholding workplace safety and health. As OSH India is an annual affair, it should be held in all industrial capitals of the country in rotation.