Occupational Health and Safety

Management systems in Indian

organizations
By - Group 13 (BA Psychology 2020)
Tanvi Kalsi
Tushita Nath
Sneha Garg
Manya Arora

Workplace safety refers to a company's working environment and includes all elements that affect the
safety, health and well-being of its personnel. A safe work environment promotes productivity.
Employees, as well as equipment and corporate property, are protected by safety precautions. Procedures
for workplace safety are required for all employees, regardless of the size or kind of organization. A
successful workplace safety plan comprises the provision of personal protective equipment, the
implementation of safeguards, the use of administrative controls, and the provision of training. When
employees are informed of current hazards and understand safety protocols, it leads to healthier and a
more productive workforce.
About 80% of India's workforce is employed in the unorganized sector, with agriculture (cultivators i.e.
landowners + agriculture laborers) being the most common occupation, employing around 52% of the
population. Less than 10% of the Indian population is employed in the organized sector. Because of the
changeable and unstable character of the job, an increasing number of people are being driven into
hazardous and precarious employment, both in the informal economy and in the official sector.
Employment not only does not result in a successful escape from poverty for these employees, but it may
exacerbate existing vulnerabilities.
Governments, companies, and employees are now acknowledging the positive benefit of implementing
occupational safety and health (OSH) management systems at the organizational level, both in terms of
reducing hazards and risks and increasing productivity. While this standard was enthusiastically accepted
in Europe and Asia, it had a tepid reception in India as compared to Quality and Environment standards.
Occupational health and safety are critical for a variety of reasons. Workers' safety and security should not
be jeopardized in order to finish a task. Employers, on the other hand, have a legal and moral duty to
ensure a workplace free of recognized hazards. Employers must design a safety strategy tailored to their
facilities, such as giving training sessions or offering free PPE. Not only will you see an increase in staff
morale, but you will also notice an increase in output. After implementing an effective workplace safety
strategy, it is important to maintain it. There are four main aspects of maintaining a safe and healthy
workplace, it includes, always trying to preserve and enhance employee well-being, whether physically,
psychologically, or socially, Preventing bad working circumstances that encourage worker absenteeism,
Protecting workers against job hazards that can have a detrimental impact on their health and Regular
evaluation of the work environment to search for improvements including any physical and phycological
requirements or capabilities.
According to studies, when a facility develops a safety culture, staff productivity increases considerably
and production expenses fall noticeably. It has been shown that there is a relationship between employee
happiness and productivity; engaged people are more likely to be safe at work and more likely to work
efficiently. The number of injuries and illnesses will be drastically decreased if you take the time and
effort to identify and manage the dangers in your facilities, as well as execute a safety program. When
workers are kept secure, they will not need to take time off to recover, and you will not have to rush for
coverage, which results in fewer costs for worker’s compensation, less downtime for employees, and less
retraining time for workers otherwise needed to replace an injured worker. Damage to industrial
equipment results in replacement and repair costs. Avoiding workplace accidents and damage to industrial
facilities leads to lower costs and increased profits. When employers are concerned about the safety of
their workers, workers feel safer and more comfortable. In addition, absenteeism is reduced and
employees are more focused on their tasks.
The Health and Safety at Work Act did not become law until 1974. The Health and Safety at Work Act of
1974 was a game-changing piece of legislation that still serves as the foundation for health and safety
laws around the world. The Act holds both the employer and the employee responsible for ensuring the
health, safety, and well-being of individuals in all workplaces, as well as members of the public who may
be affected by work activities. There has been an unprecedented increase in people working from home
because of the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdowns around the world. The HSE issued new
guidance to employers in March 2020, encouraging them to consider the safety of home workers.

Adani Group is one of India’s fastest-growing business conglomerates ever since it was established in the
year 1988. With diversified business interests in sectors like- agriculture, resources, logistics, and energy
Adani Group have been able to register a revenue of USD 12 billion in the last year. Is owned by the S.B
Adani family trust.
Adani Group is India's largest thermal power producer and the region's largest integrated infrastructure
firm. Owns the Fortune edible oil line, which is one of India's most famous vegetable oil brands. With a
strong dedication to society and countries, the conglomerate has contributed to India's prosperity and
development. Quality, occupational health, and safety management responsibilities are important to the
way Mundra port and special economic zone limited do business.
Quality, occupational health, and safety management responsibilities are integral to the way they do
business at Mundra port and special economic zone limited. To meet this commitment, APSEZ (Adani
Ports and Special Economic Zone) has adopted international standards, ISO 9001:2008 for a quality
management system, ISO 14001:2004 for an environmental management system, and OHSAS
(Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series) 18001:2007 for occupational health and safety
management system.
In order to attain and maintain high standards of safety, health, and environment at the workplace, it shall
be ensured that all employees are adequately instructed about their duties and are trained in various
aspects of safety, health, and environment, and all individuals who work in the factory premises strictly
adhere to safety rules and instructions as per ADANI safety manual.
Safety, health, and environment issues are integrated into all managerial decisions, especially in the
selection/ procurement of materials, machinery, equipment, and also selection and placement of
personnel. It's necessary that personal protective equipment is provided to employees and that such
equipment is regularly used. All the relevant statutory requirements as per various mandatory acts are
met. Potential hazards are periodically assessed and necessary precautionary measures are taken
proactively. Interest and enthusiasm in safety efforts are promoted by recognition of good safety
performance. The company makes a systematic approach to promote health, safety, and the environment
in and around.
The company follows a safety management system such as HSE (healthy, safety and environment) policy,
work permit system, personal protection, fire and safety education and training, accident reporting,
investigation, safety audit, and emergency preparedness, etc..

Salient HSE Management systems adopted are detailed in the table below:

➢ Proactive measures: Project HSE Plan, Project HSE Committee Meeting, Group Risk Assessment,
HSE Training, PEP Talk, Daily Safety Pledge, Work Permit System, Screening & Induction of Workmen
➢ Corrective and Preventive Measures: Accident Reporting System and Analysing the first aid cases
➢ Performance measurement and review systems: Internal HSE audits, Management Review Meeting,
Accident Statistics
➢ Monitoring measures: General HSE Inspection, Equipment Fitness Certificate, Plant and machinery
inspection, Electrical Inspection, Health, Hygiene, and Environment Inspection, safety, and environment
(HSE) manual to be followed at all construction sites,
➢ Occupational Health and Safety is based on: Hazard identification and Risk assessment

• OHSAS 18001 Occupational, Health, and Safety standard uses a management approach tool called the
PDCA:

➢ PLAN: establish the objectives and processes necessary to deliver results in accordance with the
organization’s OHS policy.
➢ DO: implement the process
➢ CHECK Monitor and measure performance against OHS policy, objectives, legal and other
requirements, and report results.
➢ ACT: Take actions to continually improve OHS performance

Reliance Industries Limited is an Indian multinational conglomerate company, headquartered in the city
of Mumbai, India. RIL's diverse businesses include energy, petrochemicals, natural gas, retail,
telecommunications, mass media, and textiles.
Reliance is one of the most profitable companies in India, the largest publicly traded company in India by
market capitalization, and the largest company in India as measured by revenue after recently surpassing
the government-owned Indian Oil Corporation. It is also the eighth largest employer in India with over
236,000 employees. RIL has a market capitalisation of US$245 billion as of October 2021.
In order to attain the highest standards of excellence they are also dedicated to ensuring ecologically
sustainable and responsible operations, the manufacturing divisions of the corporation have not only
implemented a globally recognized Environmental Management System based on ISO-14001 but the key
sites are also integrated with Quality Management and Occupational Health and Safety Management
Systems. For example, they have established Occupational Health Centres to provide emergency and
curative treatments, and they are also focused on mental well-being through our "Work-Life Project."
They are constantly standardizing and upgrading processes in order to achieve their goal of zero injuries
and mishaps. The organization is also highly devoted to environmental conservation, with rainwater
collection programs and three-tier environmental audits, among other measures, in place.
Quality, occupational health, and safety management obligations are fundamental to how they conduct
business in MANUFACTURE AND STORAGE OF PETROCHEMICAL PRODUCTS PROCESSED
FROM SATURATED AND UNSATURATED REFINERY OFF GAS.

The Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) specification 18001 and its
accompanying guideline OHSAS 18002 were created in response to urgent customer demand for a
recognizable occupational health and safety management system standard against which their
management systems could be assessed and certified. Compatible quality management system and the
ISO 14001:2004 environmental management system standards, allowing enterprises to integrate quality,
environmental, and occupational health and safety management systems if they so want.

Health, Safety and Environment Policy

Reliance's Health, Safety, and Environment policy state that "human safety takes precedence over all
production objectives." Reliance believes that all workplace injuries, illnesses, and safety and
environmental concerns are avoidable. Reliance will endeavor to be a leader in the field of health, safety,
and environmental management.
Reliance is committed to Conducting all of its activities in such a way that workers, contractors, and the
community are not harmed. Encourage occupational health and safety among its workers and contractors.
Improve its environmental practices and performance on an ongoing basis. Reduce the environmental
effect and community dangers associated with its activities, as well as during the transportation and
distribution of its goods. Use energy resources responsibly and efficiently to decrease emissions and the
production of effluent and waste products. Comply with all legislative obligations in the areas of Health,
Safety, and the Environment. Create a culture in which all employees and contractors learn and practice
Health, Safety, and Environment systems, procedures, and practices. Identifying and analyzing health
hazards associated with operations, as well as conducting pre-employment and monthly medical checks
on its staff. Implementing strategies and preventative measures to mitigate such dangers. Keeping aware
of the most recent international codes, standards, and practices and implementing them when appropriate.

The key challenges of occupational health and safety in India are a large number of unrecognized
occupational illnesses, unreported occupational injuries, a large workforce in the unorganized sector,
insufficient compliance with legislation, multiple statutory controls, underfunding of Occupational Health
programs, government neglect of Occupational Health spending, infrastructure problems, and delays in
policy implementation. Some of the causes that contribute to poor working conditions in India's informal
sector include a lack of workplace awareness, a lack of suitable work hours, and the difficulty in detecting
occupational diseases lack a clear separation between living and working areas intensifies the situation
and exposes family and others living nearby to work-related dangers. Information on OSH risks among
informal workers is limited, and their influence on women's health is even less recognized. Child labor is
a major issue in India's informal sector. For economic reasons, children in the informal sector are
sometimes forced to assist their parents. Employers must consider how they adapt and continue to uphold
their duty of care as the shift to home working and the rise in lone and remote workers occurs around the
world. Fortunately, The explosion of the internet and rapid technological advancements have made
workplace health and safety management more efficient than it has ever been.
In conclusion, it has been discussed on safety culture, performance, management systems, and its impact
on the employees, working area, and safety improvement approach; research methodologies approached
variation which is not holistic, performance measurement of workplace approaches instability,
technological innovation dynamism impact on workplace safety, absence of clear distinction between
developing and developed countries safety management systems, absence of multidisciplinary researches,
and lack of impact of management’s system integration.
Developing countries like the Indian systems should establish safety and health policy while developing
industrial expansion strategies at the same time as it has been proved from the studies null. Workplace
safety and health improvement and development cannot be achieved by the individual researcher but with
all organization members, government, in collaboration with universities, research, and development
institution, or top management commitment. A safe working environment is a feature of all good
businesses around the world. Every employee needs to know that they will be safe and secure. Workplace
safety and occupational health is extremely critical issue. Employers should always ensure that their
employees work in a secure environment. It is the responsibility of management systems and business
owners to promote workplace safety. Employers should encourage their employees to use safe practices
and safety equipment. They should promote safety policies and programs.

References:-
https://www.ask-ehs.com/blog/occupational-health-in-india/
https://www.cholarisk.com/safety-management-system/
https://blog.vantagecircle.com/workplace-safety/#:~:text=It%20is%20the%20right%20of,the%20size%20
of%20a%20company.&text=Well%2Dimplemented%20safety%20measures%20keep,employees%20and
%20keep%20them%20safe.
https://www.wsps.ca/
https://www.inc.com/encyclopedia/workplace-safety.html
https://www.osha.gov/safety-management
https://www.sgsgroup.in/en-gb/sustainability/social-sustainability/audit-certification-and-verification/iso-
45001-occupational-health-and-safety-management-systems-ohsms
https://www.cholarisk.com/safety-management-system/
https://www.riil.in/pdf/health-safety-and-environment-policy.pdf