There is a shortage of trained OSH professionals, and many workers lack adequate training and protective equipment

We spoke to Adesh Gupta, CEO, Liberty Shoes Ltd.to understand the current occupational safety and health scenario in India, what he believes the government needs to do to help improve OSH awareness, safety products from Liberty that they are bullish on for the Indian industry, innovations they bring to the table through their products and Liberty’s vision over the next three years to improve quality of safety products sold in India.

Interviewed by Adeesh Sharma

What is your assessment about the current occupational safety and health scenario in India? How does it compare to global standards?

Occupational safety and health (OSH) in India have been a concern for many years, and the country has been facing several challenges in ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for its workers. In recent years, the government has taken some steps to improve OSH conditions, but there is still a long way to go.

One of the significant challenges in India is the lack of awareness among employers and employees about OSH standards and regulations. This is compounded by a lack of enforcement of these regulations, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, there is a shortage of trained OSH professionals, and many workers lack adequate training and protective equipment.

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), India has a relatively high incidence of occupational accidents and diseases. The ILO estimates that there were over 160,000 work-related fatalities in India in 2017, making it the country with the second-highest number of work-related deaths globally.

In comparison to global standards, India's OSH scenario lags behind many developed countries. The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that around 2.3 million workers die each year worldwide due to work-related accidents and diseases, and the majority of these deaths occur in developing countries. Many developed countries have well-established OSH systems, and their workers have access to better working conditions, training, and protective equipment.

Overall, while some progress has been made, India still faces significant challenges in ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for its workers. There is a need for greater awareness, enforcement, and investment in OSH to bring India's standards in line with global best practices.

What do you believe the government needs to do to help improve OSH awareness?

There are several actions that the government can take to help improve OSH awareness in India. Some of these actions include:

1. Develop and enforce OSH regulations: The government needs to develop comprehensive OSH regulations that cover all aspects of workplace safety and health. These regulations should be regularly updated and enforced to ensure compliance.
2. Increase funding for OSH programs: The government should increase funding for OSH programs to help train workers, provide protective equipment, and conduct workplace inspections.
3. Increase awareness campaigns: The government should run awareness campaigns about OSH issues, including the importance of wearing protective equipment, safe work practices, and the health risks associated with certain occupations.
4. Encourage employer responsibility: The government should encourage employers to take responsibility for the safety and health of their workers. This can be done by providing incentives for employers who maintain safe workplaces and by imposing penalties on those who fail to comply with OSH regulations.
5. Develop partnerships: The government should work with industry associations, labor unions, and other stakeholders to promote OSH awareness and improve working conditions.

Overall, improving OSH awareness requires a multi-pronged approach that involves the government, employers, workers, and other stakeholders. By taking a collaborative approach and investing in OSH programs, the government can help create a safer and healthier working environment for all.

What safety products from Liberty are you bullish on for the Indian industry? What innovations you bring to the table through your products?

Liberty Shoe Ltd is a well-known footwear company in India with almost 70 years of experience that offers a range of safety shoes for various industries. Some of our popular safety shoes include steel-toe boots, slip-resistant shoes, electrical hazard shoes, and chemical-resistant shoes from Warrior Brand.

One of the innovations brought by Warrior Safety Range is the use of high-quality genuine leather in their safety shoes, which are developed in in-house Tannery to withstand harsh environments and provide long-lasting protection. Warrior brand of industrial shoes also offer ergonomic designs, which aim to provide comfort and reduce fatigue during long work hours.

Another innovation by the original Warrior brand from Liberty Shoes is their use of advanced technologies such as PU injection, direct injection, and cementing techniques to enhance the durability and comfort of their safety shoes. They also use breathable materials to improve ventilation and prevent moisture buildup, reducing the risk of foot problems.

WARRIOR also offers customized safety shoes to meet specific industry requirements, such as footwear for the construction, manufacturing, and automotive industries. These customized industrial shoes can be tailored to meet specific safety standards and provide additional protection for workers.

Overall, Warrior brand from Liberty Shoe Ltd's safety range are designed to provide high levels of protection, durability, and comfort, making them suitable for a wide range of industries in India. Their use of advanced materials and technologies, as well as their customization options, are innovative solutions that address the specific needs of different industries.

What is Liberty’s vision over the next three years to improve quality of safety products sold in India?

Being an Engineer graduate from KUK, I have always been very cautious about Quality in our all aspects of manufacturing, sales & marketing of Warrior Brand ever since we started our journey in the year 1999-2000.

We at Warrior Marketing Department strongly believe in continuous improvement & are committed to offer the best to our more than 1500 Customers pan-India.

Some potential initiatives that the company plans to take to improve the quality of our safety products sold in India over the next three years:

1. Investment in research and development: Liberty Shoe Ltd could invest more in research and development to develop new materials and technologies that could enhance the durability and protection offered by their safety products. This could include collaborating with industry experts and universities to identify emerging trends and technologies.
2. Continuous improvement of manufacturing processes: The company could adopt continuous improvement methodologies like Six Sigma and Lean to improve their manufacturing processes and quality control systems. By continuously monitoring and improving the processes, we will improve the consistency and quality of our products.
3. Certification and compliance with global safety standards: The company shall focus on obtaining latest certification and compliance with global safety standards like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the European Union's CE Mark to ensure that their products meet international safety requirements.
4. Customer feedback and engagement: Warrior brand will engage with their customers and gather feedback on their safety products. This feedback could be used to identify areas of improvement and to develop new safety products that meet the specific needs of their customers. Platforms like OSH Exhibitions & similar events will be used as a tool to customer-engagement.
5. Training and education: The company will provide training and education to their employees, suppliers, and customers on safety-related topics such as the proper use and maintenance of safety shoes, safety regulations, and workplace safety best practices. This could help improve the overall safety culture within the industry and improve the effectiveness of their safety products. Exclusive Road Shows in industrial sectors in partnership with our local Channel Partners is planned to deliver this important aspect.

Overall, Warrior’s vision to improve the quality of our safety & defence products sold in India over the next three years could involve a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing our products, manufacturing processes, compliance, customer engagement, and safety culture.

What is your advice to large occupational safety and health shows such as OSH India to help further the cause of spreading awareness about safety in Indian organizations?

I can suggest a few points to you to help further the cause of spreading awareness about safety in Indian organizations:

1. Collaboration: OSH India could collaborate with industry experts, government agencies, and safety organizations to develop a comprehensive safety agenda that addresses the most pressing safety issues in Indian organizations. This collaboration could also help increase the reach and impact of safety awareness programs.
2. Innovation: OSH India could showcase innovative safety products, technologies, and solutions that are effective in improving safety outcomes in the workplace. This could encourage organizations to adopt new safety practices and technologies that can help reduce workplace accidents and injuries.
3. Education: OSH India could provide educational opportunities such as workshops, seminars, and training sessions that can help organizations develop and implement effective safety programs. This could help organizations better understand safety regulations and best practices, as well as the importance of investing in safety.
4. Networking: OSH India could provide opportunities for organizations to network and exchange ideas with safety experts, peers, and suppliers. This could help organizations learn from each other's experiences and best practices, as well as foster a culture of safety.
5. Advocacy: OSH India could also advocate for stronger safety regulations and better enforcement mechanisms to ensure that organizations are held accountable for providing safe working conditions for their employees. This could help create a culture of safety in Indian organizations and ensure that employees are protected from workplace hazards.

I would lastly thank OSH-India for this opportunity & wish OSH India a bright future with a significant role to play in spreading awareness about safety in Indian organizations.

See you at Mumbai Exhibition in Nov month, with Warrior playing a bigger role as presenting partner of OSH India.

Thank you so much.