Shri Sunil Palliwal, IAS, Secretary – Labour & Employment, Government of Tamil Nadu inaugurating the conference organised by FICCI, DGFASLI, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India and Government of Tamil Nadu today urged for corporate sector participation in emergency management activities from the present involvement in post emergency/calamity activities to be more focused on prevention, preparedness and mitigation initiatives. Such Conferences help the chemical, petroleum, oil & gas, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, Cement and Engineering industry, ports & dockyards in the country to gain knowledge and keep pace with the best global practices on environment, safety, transportation of hazardous materials, storages, safety and health management.
Inaugurating the conference Secretary – Labour & Employment said, “There is a greater need for better response mechanisms in order to minimize manmade errors and ensure timely and effective interventions from responder agencies of north eastern region so as to minimize human suffering. A shift of focus from response oriented approach to one which emphasizes on preparedness and disaster mitigation; and finally strengthening the institution at the local and regional level in order to make them resilient to emergencies”
Addressing the technocrats, industrialists, state and central government officials engaged in Industrial Safety activities Dr. Avneesh Singh, Director General, Directorate General Factory Advice Service & Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India said during his Keynote Address that – A culture needs to be introduced for carrying out periodic Safety Audits, Environmental Audits and other safety studies like Risk Analysis, HAZOP Studies, Preparation of On-site/Off-site Emergency Plan, Health and Safety Policy, Safety Report, Environment Statement etc.” and also there is an ample need of behavioural change amongst the employee & management towards safety management in industries, ports and dockyards.
Mr. K Manoharan, Director, Directorate of Industrial Safety & Health (DISH), Government of Tamil Nadu said “The conference also focuses on safety and a very important area of transportation of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas through pipelines which is expected to grow exponentially in near future in the country. Such conferences provide important information to participants with latest tools and techniques, best practices and innovative ideas to implement in their plants to make them safer and productive.
Ms. Kavitha Dutt, Joint Managing Director, KCP Group and Chairperson, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council said Medical preparedness should be strengthened in industries and industries must procure respective Antidotes as per their manufacturing processes in their industries for better response.
Earlier Mr. M A Patil, Senior Director, FICCI briefly explained the significance of the SMI-Chennai-Conference in the context of operation, maintenance and setting up of new chemical or hazardous industry. He also told about FICCI’s proactive role in this area, FICCI has already done more than 35 International and National Conferences to educate, sensitize the industries to be more safer. In his concluding address he also emphasized on the need for capacity development including dedicated manpower and infrastructure development for mitigation and better preparedness at all levels, for effective safety & emergency management.
