The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
NEW DELHI, MAR 15, 2024
In observance of National Safety Week, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s leading aluminium producer, has reaffirmed its dedication to upholding safety standards. Emphasizing a safety-first approach deeply ingrained in its operational ethos, the company extends its commitment from its facilities to the communities it serves. To mark the occasion, Vedanta Aluminium orchestrated a series of dynamic initiatives, including demonstrations of safety protocols, comprehensive training sessions, competitions, and safety tool exhibitions. These endeavors aim to heighten awareness not only among its workforce but also within the local communities where it operates.
Vedanta Aluminium maintains a steadfast dedication to cultivating a safer workplace and community through continual enhancements to its Safety Management System. This holistic approach integrates cutting-edge technologies, process improvements, proactive gap identification, and behavior-based safety programs. Aligned with this year’s National Safety Week theme, “Focus on Safety Leadership for ESG Excellence,” these efforts underscore the company’s commitment to safety leadership.
Vedanta Aluminium CEO John Slaven expressed the company’s stance on safety, stating, “At Vedanta Aluminium, safety is a fundamental value embedded within every facet of our operations. It takes precedence at all organizational levels and extends beyond safeguarding employees to fostering safer communities. Our operations leverage cutting-edge safety technologies that continually reinforce safety-first practices. Furthermore, our behaviour-based safety initiatives cater to the individual needs of each employee, ensuring a vigorousfocus on safety.”
Throughout the week, Vedanta Aluminium’s Jharsuguda operations, housing one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters, hosted debate competitions and discussions exploring workplace safety and its broader impact on personal well-being. Interactive activities such as street play competitions, safety quizzes, and drawing competitions enriched safety awareness initiatives.
At the company’s alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district of Odisha, employees participated in safety skit competitions, slogan writing, and poster competitions. They showcased their talents through safety-themed songs and social media reels while engaging in quizzes to test their safety knowledge. Additionally, an exhibition featuring leading safety models and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) attracted over 900 attendees, involving more than 10,000 participants in total.
At BALCO, India’s iconic aluminium producer in Korba, Chhattisgarh, Vedanta Aluminium rolled out a mobile van to disseminate safety messages within the plant and local areas. The ‘Suraksha Chaupal’ facilitated employee safety discussions, while practical demonstrations of safety gadgets and health check-up camps were conducted. Events such as the ‘Kaun Banega Safety Champion’ contest and the ‘Run for Safety’ further reinforced a robust safety culture within the organization and its surrounding communities.
Throughout the year, Vedanta Aluminium has been dedicated to enhancing safety practices within its operations through various initiatives. One notable effort involves the utilization of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies to provide immersive safety training to its workforce, ensuring they are well-prepared for hands-on situations. Additionally, the company has established a Fire Safety Training Park, enabling live, practical demonstrations of fire emergencies, prevention techniques, and mitigation strategies.
Another significant undertaking is the formation of the Agnivahini firefighting team, comprising over 100 women employees who have undergone extensive training in firefighting — an innovative approach aimed at bolstering safety measures. Moreover, Vedanta Aluminium has implemented the Suraksha Sankalp program, a Safety Culture Transformation Programme across all its operations, emphasizing a proactive safety culture.
Collaborating with the National Disaster Reduction Force (NDRF) and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), the company conducts regular drills and safety awareness sessions to ensure preparedness for potential disasters. Furthermore, Vedanta Aluminium has introduced the Fire Stewards initiative, wherein fire safety personnel engage with business partners to raise awareness about fire safety, onsite emergency plans, and the fundamentals of firefighting, fostering a collective commitment to safety across the organization.
