Yesterday, the British Safety Council, one of the
most trusted international leaders in health, safety and
environmental management, launched the India Safety Leadership
Group, a forum for its members in India to share best practice
and expertise in health, safety and wellbeing and lead broader
change across all sectors.
For over 60 years, the British Safety Council has
been campaigning to protect workers and improve workplace
conditions and practices, both in Britain and worldwide. In
India, where around 80% of the estimated 465 million-strong
workforce are not protected by the existing health and safety
legal framework, the British Safety Council aims to raise
awareness of the importance of managing health and safety risks
in the workplace. It will also challenge traditional views and
approaches, as well as supporting employers in adopting practices
which better safeguard the health and safety of their
workers.
The British Safety Council has been supporting the Indian market
for over 30 years, providing health, safety and environmental
consultancy services, training and audits from its UK office in
London. In November 2017, the organisation opened an office in
Mumbai to offer a greater range of products (audit, training,
e-learning, qualifications and membership) tailored to the needs
of the Indian market. The office is also a base from which the
British Safety Council will start campaigning and progressing its
charitable work in India.
Opening the first meeting of the India Safety
Leadership Group, Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the British
Safety Council, said: “India is one of the world’s fastest
growing economies, making great progress in all areas, including
health and safety. Yet, there is still much to be done. Overall,
workplace deaths in India are 20 times higher than in the UK: it
is estimated that there are 48,000 work-related deaths in India
each year, while there were 144 workplace fatalities in Britain
in 2017.
“The British Safety Council aims to bring about a
culture change with regard to workplace health, safety and
wellbeing. Although legislation is very important in helping to
bring about this change, factors such as leadership are essential
for introducing and embedding it. We should also start preparing
for the changes to the global labour market. The World Bank
predicts that 69 per cent of jobs in India will be threatened by
automation or artificial intelligence over the next 20 years.
Moreover, the population in India aged over 65 will double over
next 30 years. Working together through the platforms like the
India Safety Leadership Group, we can start to prepare for the
times ahead.
“The Indian Safety Leadership Group will also be
reviewing health and safety legislation and regulatory matters,
such as the new international standard ISO 45001, which is
expected to replace up to 24 national health and safety
standards, including OHSAS 18001. It is considered the most
important health and safety management standard ever developed.
The British Safety Council is running workshops, webinars and
providing training to internal auditors, as well as consultancy
support, including a ‘gap analysis’ tool, to help its members
adopt or transition to the new standard. The Leadership Group
will be an important consultation platform to ensure that such
products meet the needs and requirements of the Indian
market.”
Dr. Sanjai Kumar Srivastva, Head of EHS, Larsen &
Toubro Construction, said: “The construction industry is the
least organised and the most hazardous sector in India, where
health, safety and environmental management is not considered as
a priority. With the India Leadership Group, the British Safety
Council has given us the forum to discuss the benchmark practices
among the industry’s senior professionals. These leadership
meetings will take health and safety in India to the next
level.”
Rajani Singh, Senior Manager – HSE, Sterling & Wilson,
commented: “With today’s leadership meeting, the British Safety
Council has provided us with the platform to discuss policies and
exchange ideas. The case study presented by Dr. Sanjai Kumar
Srivastva, EHS Head from L&T Construction, on the Five-Star
Health and Safety Audit gave us an excellent insight into
the benefits and process of the audit which will inform our work
in the future.”
The British Safety Council already works with over
100 companies in India, many of whom are on the India Fortune 500
list. Among its members are: Indian Oil, Larsen & Toubro,
Mumbai International Airport, Reliance Industries and Tata. Many
leading Indian businesses take part in the British Safety
Council’s International Safety Awards and the Sword/Globe of
Honour awards and send delegates to the British Safety Council’s
training courses in London.
