3-pronged approach

• Prioritising safety as a core value
• Establishing open communication channels
• Implementing stringent SOPs and training

Visakhapatnam: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Andhra Pradesh on Friday organised a conference on industrial safety with the theme ‘Establishing a Culture of Safety Excellence’ at Visakhapatnam. The event brought together thought leaders, industry experts, and government officials to address a critical issue plaguing many workplaces - unsafe working conditions.

The conference dealt on safety management in exothermic process/operation in chemical process Industries; role of technology in augmenting industrial safety and best practices for solvents storage, handling, recovery, and safety studies to control thermal decomposition of residues. The sessions provided valuable insights and case studies that attendees can implement in their own workplaces.

Speaking on the occasion, Roshini Aparanji Korati, Joint Development Commissioner, Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone (VSEZ), set the tone by emphasising the need to cultivate habits of responsibility and accountability to achieve safety excellence. She advocated for a three-pronged approach - prioritising safety as a core value, establishing open communication channels, and implementing stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and comprehensive training.

D Chandrasekhar Varma, Director of Factories, challenged the mindset of merely avoiding risk, calling for a pursuit of safety as excellence. He urged against shortcuts and emphasised the need for top-down alignment, employee motivation, and continuous improvement as key to enhanced productivity and safety. He gave a presentation on recent guidelines on prevention of fires and explosions in chemical process industries.

CII AP chairman Dr V Murali Krishna reinforced the importance of safety in a thriving and sustainable industrial landscape. He stressed the need to prioritise the well-being of workers within a framework of continuous technological advancement. He stated technological advancements and industrial progress define the industrial landscape and the paramount importance of ensuring the well-being of those who contribute to this growth cannot be overstated. The foundation of a thriving and sustainable industry lies in a commitment to industrial safety.

The conference served as a powerful platform for collective action towards a safer work environment. The emphasis on responsibility, accountability, and continuous improvement sets a promising precedent for the future of industrial safety in the region.