Good Practices on Occupational Health and Safety

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) refers to practices and procedures that deals with safety, health, welfare and wellbeing to people when they are at work. OHS is no longer a mere compliance obligation, but a strategic imperative for businesses worldwide. Today, enterprises must go beyond post-incidence management of accident and health issues to address safety on an ongoing and continuous basis as a preventive measure. These practices form an important component of a company’s sustainability journey as they work on their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors. Robust OHS practices allow companies to fulfil their ethical responsibilities, while enhancing their reputation, productivity and overall business performance.  

Work-related issues and suffering to workers and families due to occupational illness and death cost about 4% of global GDP each year. Hence, laws for safety, health and working conditions are key not only for the business, but also the nation as a whole. The National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Workplace, 2009 is an important piece of legislation that addresses work-related injuries, disasters and fatalities while enhancing overall well-being of workers. 

OHS practices directly align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on good health and well-being, SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. 

Technology Intervention for Safety Management 

Technology and innovation form the core of OHS excellence as they help in significantly enhancing safety and well-being of the workforce. Businesses should exploit technology to their advantage when it comes to creating a healthy working ecosystem as it is efficient, effective and economical in the long run. 

• This includes setting up a centralized safety monitoring system with video analytics in critical zones that can help keep workers connected and informed, and closely monitor safety processes to prevent accidents. 

• AI/ML analytics on CCTV can also be used to identify safety violations and trigger timely interventions from the correct level of management, reducing the need for continuous oversight. 

• Depending on the nature of business, AI-powered drone surveillance can also provide instant safety insights, enabling proactive measures through mobile and web alerts in less accessible locations and ensuring compliance in challenging environments. 

• Industries that operate electrically hazardous areas should have biometric access control to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing such areas and reduce risk of electrical incidents and ensure safety

• The use of AI-powered cameras in MHE (Material Handling Equipment) can help detect pedestrians in blind spots, triggering alerts and automatic vehicle deceleration. This can significantly decrease the likelihood of human-MHE collisions, increasing worker safety in such places. 

Industrial Safety and CII 

To encourage leadership to proactively think about OHS, CII Centre of Manufacturing Excellence set up a National Task Force on Industrial Safety in 2015. The task force’s objective is to build & strengthen a culture of safety and to promote safety excellence in companies operating in India through webinars, workplace assessments, conferences and training sessions. CII also conducts regional level competition and sharing of best practices to recognise companies who excel occupational health and safety. 

Way Forward 

Integration of OHS into core business strategies is essential for better performance on their safety excellence journey. These considerations need to be incorporated in business strategies during the formulation stage in order to ensure maximum preparedness. They should also be continuously monitored for best outcomes and the sharing of best practices across industries should be encouraged. 

By fostering a culture of safety, organisations can create healthier and more engaged workforces, reduce accidents and injuries, and contribute to sustainable development.