We Must Use Information Technology as a Strategic Enabler for Identifying Safety Risks

Srinivasu M., GM-CHSE (Formulations) & Head-Sustainability, Hetero Labs Limited shares his views on the key challenges faced in implementing safety regulations, steps required to get workers to accept and follow safety related norms, support received from his organization in enforcing safety at the workplace and his views on OSH India expo and the role played by it in enhancing OSH awareness.

Interviewed by Adeesh Sharma

1. From your long experience as a safety head, please tell us the key challenges you have faced in implementing safety regulations?

It is my privilege to share the key challenges with eminent professionals from the Occupational health community. We need persistent drive to implement our occupational health and safety initiatives to handle complex workforce and also to focus on sustainable implementation of systems at workplace to create safe work environment to all our colleagues.

Major challenges:

• Life cycle approach to Occupational Health and safety management system, specific to organisation operations.

• Building safety culture among employees and contractors.

• Use of Information Technology as a strategic enabler for identifying Risk Management System and recognition.

• Leadership mind-set and corporate commitment towards implementation of HSE management system.

2. What steps are required to get the workers to accept and follow safety related norms?

• Policies and procedures are an essential for any organization. Development and implementation of comprehensive procedures are important because they address systematic approach towards implementation of safety management system. It includes inducting safety culture through training, coaching and mentoring of employees on policies and procedures implementation.

• Hierarchy of hazard control system to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazards will help to change of behaviros employees and contractors.

• Implementation of rewards and recognition system at work place will support workers to follow safety systems.

• Enactment of progressive disciplinary matrix, when an employee fails to correct a problem in their behaviour towards implementation of safety at work place.

3. How much support you get from your organization in enforcing safety at the workplace?

• Management is committed to own the safety of the organisation.

• Management has integrated safety into all aspects of business.

• Management provides all resources required for implementation of safety at work place.

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

OSH India has been successful in bringing leading exhibitors for OSH India expo. It has introduced innovative technologies to safety fraternity and other leaders of the companies. Efficacious role has been played in enrichment of awareness among professionals on various topics. I would like to thank and congratulate all team members for creating such a wonderful event towards the noble cause of enhancing OSH awareness among industries.