Environment

Developing a national occupational safety and health profile

Published

8 years ago

November 30, 2017

admin

The Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India with the support International Labour Organization (ILO), Delhi Office organised a National Tripartite Workshop for Validating the Draft National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Profile of India on November 23-24, 2017 in New Delhi. The National Tripartite Workshop was preceded by Tripartite Regional Workshops held at Faridabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Kanpur, and Chennai in the month of August 2017 to obtain information and views of the tripartite constituents on developing the National OSH Profile. The objective of the National Workshop was to validate the document that has been prepared by The Directorate General of Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), which is the technical arm of the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MOLE), Government of India on matters concerned with safety, health, productivity and working conditions in factories and ports. The document is available on DGFASLI website (www.dgfasli.nic.in) for suggestions from stakeholders before the same is finalised.

There is need to have systems, laws, education, commitment and compliances in place to ensure that individuals in India are safe at place of residence, place of work, while commuting, while enjoying leisure and while undertaking any other activity. It is better to be safe than to be sorry, hence the need to ensure that all the activities performed by individuals are not only safe but do not affected the individual by way of any occupational disease.

Countries, desiring to ratify International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on "Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No 187)" need to develop a National OSH Profile, identify gaps in the country and come forward with a national programme to bridge the gap.

The present exercise is an effort on the part of The Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India to identify the gaps and work in the direction of bridging the same. The draft document brings out the state of art situation on OSH, identifies the present status of OSH in the country and steps to be taken for improvement.

Coverage of the document
The document along with annexure and tables is over 200 pages. It is a fairly exhaustive document and covers the following items along with details under each of the following headings
1.Laws and regulations on OSH
2.Authority or body, responsible for OSH
3.Mechanisms for ensuring compliance including the system of inspection
4.Arrangements to promote, at the level of the undertaking, cooperation between management, workers and their representatives
5.National tripartite advisory body addressing OSH issues
6.Information and advisory services on OSH
7.Provision of OSH training
8.Occupational health services including industrial hygiene
9.Researches in OSH
10.Mechanism for the collection and analysis of data on occupational injuries and diseases and their causes
11.Collaboration with insurance or social security schemes covering occupational injuries and diseases
12.Support mechanisms for disadvantageous group of workers
13.Support mechanisms for women workers
14.Coordination and collaboration mechanisms at national and enterprise levels including national programme review mechanisms
15.Technical standards, codes or practices and guidelines on OSH 16.Educational and awareness-raising arrangements to enhance preventive safety and health culture, including promotional initiatives
17.Specialised technical, medical and scientific institutions with linkages to various aspects of OSH, including research institutes and laboratories concerned with OSH 18.Personnel engaged in the area of OSH, such as safety and health officers, safety engineers, and occupational physician’s and hygienists
19.Occupational injury and disease statistics and events
20.Industry-specific policies and programmes to hazardous occupations
21.Mechanisms to prevent industrial disaster protect environment and promote public safety
22.OSH policies and programmes of organizations of employers and workers.
23.Regular or ongoing activities related to OSH, including international collaboration
24.Data addressing demography, literacy, economy and employment, as available, as well as any other relevant information
25.Gap analysis of existing national OSH systems and recommendations of action points for including in the national OSH programme

Issues of gaps in national OSH profile
The document on the DGFASLI website before the commencement of The National Tripartite Workshop for Validating the Draft National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Profile held on November 23-24, 2017 in New Delhi has identified the gaps which are listed below. Some of these are listed below and may go through modifications before the final document is released by The Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India.

1.A comprehensive legislation on OSH covering all the sectors of economic activities which are otherwise not getting covered under any legislation on OSH, is not available. Apart from the existing OSH-related legislations for the four sectors, i.e., the manufacturing, mining, ports and construction, legislation to cover the other sectors such as agriculture sector, service sector, transport sector, etc., are not available leaving a huge gap

2.The Factories Act, 1948 is a central enactment for securing the safety, health and welfare of workers working in the factories. Under the enabling provisions of the Act, the state governments are empowered to frame their respective state factories rules and enforce both the Act and the Rules in their states. The state governments through their Inspectorates of Factories /Directorates of Industrial Safety and Health under the labour department’s enforce the provisions of the Act and the rules. The manpower strength of these Inspectorates /Directorates is in adequate to effectively enforce the Act and the Rules. Many posts under these Inspectorates /Directorates are lying vacant due to which the enforcement activity is adversely affected. Further, central rules under the Factories Act, 1948 are not available which need to be framed and enforced by an authority under the central government for the factories under the administrative control of the central government and public sector undertakings.

3.The Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986 and Regulations, 1990 framed there under are being enforced only in major ports by DGFASLI. For the ports, other than the major 12 ports, the state governments are required to frame their respective state regulations and enforce the provisions of the both the Act and the Regulations in these ports. However, till date none of the states have framed their regulations for enforcement in these ports. Since, these ports are also handling huge quantities of cargo, including dangerous goods, the absence of regulation on safety and health of the workers and its enforcement is a major gap.

4.The Building and Other Construction Workers’ Act (BOCW) , 1996, is being enforced by the Labour Commissioners at the Centre and at the State Level. The safety and health provisions under the Act being highly technical in nature is not being enforced in true letter and spirit. Hence, DGFASLI may be entrusted with enforcement and other consequential action for occupational safety and health matter under BOCW Act, 1996 at central level and State Inspectorates of Factories /Directorates of Industrial Safety and Health at the state government level.

5.The National Policy on Health and Environment at Workplace (NPSHEW) requires providing for research in the field of safety, health and environment at workplace, including the social and psychological factors involved, and by developing innovative methods, techniques including computer aided Risk Assessment Tools, and approaches for dealing with safety, health and environment at workplace. At present only limited institutes in the country are available for research and development in the field of OSH. Also the institutions are not fully equipped for carrying out their activities effectively.

6.As per the National Policy on Health and Environment at Workplace , data capturing related to OSH on national basis from all the sectors is an issue for long time as presently capturing data is only for sectors like manufacturing, mining, ports and construction only.

7.Training Institutes at national level on OSH are not available for imparting the training to workers from formal and informal sectors. Such training institutes are at present not identified in the country. Online course in the field of occupational safety and health is not available for benefitting the employed workers.

8.The National Policy on Health and Environment at Workplace requires every Ministry or Department to work out their detailed policy relevant to their working environment as per the guidelines on the National Policy. So far Ministries or Departments have not worked out their policy in line with the NPSHEW.

9.While the National Policy on Health and Environment at Workplace provides for establishment of suitable schemes for subsidy and provision of loans to enable effective implementation of the policy. However, such a scheme has not been launched till date.

10.National Policy on Health and Environment at Workplace requires for providing suitable accreditation machinery to recognise institutions, professionals and services relating to safety, health and environment at workplace for uniformity and greater coverage as also authenticating safe management system.

11.The National Policy on Health and Environment at Workplace provides for specifically focusing on occupational diseases and developing a framework for its prevention and control as well as develop technical standards and guidelines for the same. Though such standards are available to a limited extent, but not easily accessible and available to the industry.

12.There is need to provide for suitably teaching inputs on safety, health and environment at work place in schools, technical, medical, professional and vocational courses and distance education programme. At present teaching inputs on safety and health are not included in the teaching curricula in schools, technical, medical, professional and vocational courses and distance education programme.

13.There is need for adopting Occupational Safety and Health training curricula in workplace and industry programmes. Such training institutes are at present not identified in the country.

14.The agriculture sector is lacking on legislation on safety and health for the workers working in this sector. There are certain Acts on occupational safety and health pertaining to certain equipments or substances, viz., the Dangerous Machines Regulation Act, the Insecticides Act. The enforcement authorities are not identified as per these Acts and hence are not being enforced. The agriculture sector is the largest sector of economic activity and needs to be regulated for safety and health aspects.

15.Industries under MSME do not have any legislation to cover the safety and health of the workers.

Conclusion
The Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India will sooner or later finalise the National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Profile of India and release the same, so that it can move in the direction of ratifying ILO Convention 187. We hope that the Government of India comes forward with a meaningful National Programme which reduces Occupational Injuries and Diseases and improves the occupational safety and health of the large number of persons working in the agriculture sector, informal sector that presently have very limited coverage and insurance.

The article is authored by Dr Rajen Mehrotra, who is immediate Past President of Industrial Relations Institute of India (IRII), Former Senior Employers’ Specialist for South Asian Region with International Labour Organization (ILO) and Former Corporate Head of HR with ACC Ltd and Former Corporate Head of Manufacturing and HR with Novartis India Ltd.

He can be reached on:

Email: rajenmehrotra@gmail.com

Concrete

India donates 225t of cement for Myanmar earthquake relief

Published

6 days ago

June 17, 2025

admin

On 23 May 2025, the Indian Navy ship UMS Myitkyina arrived at Thilawa (MITT) port carrying 225 tonnes of cement provided by the Indian government to aid post-earthquake rebuilding efforts in Myanmar. As reported by the Global Light of Myanmar, a formal handover of 4500 50kg cement bags took place that afternoon. The Yangon Region authorities managed the loading of the cement onto trucks for distribution to the earthquake-affected zones.

Concrete

Reclamation of Used Oil for a Greener Future

Published

7 days ago

June 16, 2025

admin

In this insightful article, KB Mathur, Founder and Director, Global Technical Services, explores how reclaiming used lubricants through advanced filtration and on-site testing can drive cost savings, enhance productivity, and support a greener industrial future. Read on to discover how oil regeneration is revolutionising sustainability in cement and core industries.

The core principle of the circular economy is to redefine the life cycle of materials and products. Unlike traditional linear models where waste from industrial production is dumped/discarded into the environment causing immense harm to the environment;the circular model seeks to keep materials literally in continuous circulation. This is achievedthrough processes cycle of reduction, regeneration, validating (testing) and reuse. Product once
validated as fit, this model ensures that products and materials are reintroduced into the production system, minimising waste. The result? Cleaner and greener manufacturing that fosters a more sustainable planet for future generations.

The current landscape of lubricants
Modern lubricants, typically derived from refined hydrocarbons, made from highly refined petroleum base stocks from crude oil. These play a critical role in maintaining the performance of machinery by reducing friction, enabling smooth operation, preventing damage and wear. However, most of these lubricants; derived from finite petroleum resources pose an environmental challenge once used and disposed of. As industries become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, the paramount importance or focus is shifting towards reducing the carbon footprint and maximising the lifespan of lubricants; not just for environmental reasons but also to optimise operational costs.
During operations, lubricants often lose their efficacy and performance due to contamination and depletion of additives. When these oils reach their rejection limits (as they will now offer poor or bad lubrication) determined through laboratory testing, they are typically discarded contributing to environmental contamination and pollution.
But here lies an opportunity: Used lubricants can be regenerated and recharged, restoring them to their original performance level. This not only mitigates environmental pollution but also supports a circular economy by reducing waste and conserving resources.

Circular economy in lubricants
In the world of industrial machinery, lubricating oils while essential; are often misunderstood in terms of their life cycle. When oils are used in machinery, they don’t simply ‘DIE’. Instead, they become contaminated with moisture (water) and solid contaminants like dust, dirt, and wear debris. These contaminants degrade the oil’s effectiveness but do not render it completely unusable. Used lubricants can be regenerated via advanced filtration processes/systems and recharged with the use of performance enhancing additives hence restoring them. These oils are brought back to ‘As-New’ levels. This new fresher lubricating oil is formulated to carry out its specific job providing heightened lubrication and reliable performance of the assets with a view of improved machine condition. Hence, contributing to not just cost savings but leading to magnified productivity, and diminished environmental stress.

Save oil, save environment
At Global Technical Services (GTS), we specialise in the regeneration of hydraulic oils and gear oils used in plant operations. While we don’t recommend the regeneration of engine oils due to the complexity of contaminants and additives, our process ensures the continued utility of oils in other applications, offering both cost-saving and environmental benefits.

Regeneration process
Our regeneration plant employs state-of-the-art advanced contamination removal systems including fine and depth filters designed to remove dirt, wear particles, sludge, varnish, and water. Once contaminants are removed, the oil undergoes comprehensive testing to assess its physico-chemical properties and contamination levels. The test results indicate the status of the regenerated oil as compared to the fresh oil.
Depending upon the status the oil is further supplemented with high performance additives to bring it back to the desired specifications, under the guidance of an experienced lubrication technologist.
Contamination Removal ? Testing ? Additive Addition
(to be determined after testing in oil test laboratory)

The steps involved in this process are as follows:
1. Contamination removal: Using advanced filtration techniques to remove contaminants.
2. Testing: Assessing the oil’s properties to determine if it meets the required performance standards.
3. Additive addition: Based on testing results, performance-enhancing additives are added to restore the oil’s original characteristics.

On-site oil testing laboratories
The used oil from the machine passes through 5th generation fine filtration to be reclaimed as ‘New Oil’ and fit to use as per stringent industry standards.
To effectively implement circular economy principles in oil reclamation from used oil, establishing an on-site oil testing laboratory is crucial at any large plants or sites. Scientific testing methods ensure that regenerated oil meets the specifications required for optimal machine performance, making it suitable for reuse as ‘New Oil’ (within specified tolerances). Hence, it can be reused safely by reintroducing it in the machines.
The key parameters to be tested for regenerated hydraulic, gear and transmission oils (except Engine oils) include both physical and chemical characteristics of the lubricant:

Kinematic Viscosity
Flash Point
Total Acid Number
Moisture / Water Content
Oil Cleanliness
Elemental Analysis (Particulates, Additives and Contaminants)
Insoluble

The presence of an on-site laboratory is essential for making quick decisions; ensuring that test reports are available within 36 to 48 hours and this prevents potential mechanical issues/ failures from arising due to poor lubrication. This symbiotic and cyclic process helps not only reduce waste and conserve oil, but also contributes in achieving cost savings and playing a big role in green economy.

Conclusion
The future of industrial operations depends on sustainability, and reclaiming used lubricating oils plays a critical role in this transformation. Through 5th Generation Filtration processes, lubricants can be regenerated and restored to their original levels, contributing to both environmental preservation and economic efficiency.
What would happen if we didn’t recycle our lubricants? Let’s review the quadruple impacts as mentioned below:
1. Oil Conservation and Environmental Impact: Used lubricating oils after usage are normally burnt or sold to a vendor which can be misused leading to pollution. Regenerating oils rather than discarding prevents unnecessary waste and reduces the environmental footprint of the industry. It helps save invaluable resources, aligning with the principles of sustainability and the circular economy. All lubricating oils (except engine oils) can be regenerated and brought to the level of ‘As New Oils’.
2. Cost Reduction Impact: By extending the life of lubricants, industries can significantly cut down on operating costs associated with frequent oil changes, leading to considerable savings over time. Lubricating oils are expensive and saving of lubricants by the process of regeneration will overall be a game changer and highly economical to the core industries.
3. Timely Decisions Impact: Having an oil testing laboratory at site is of prime importance for getting test reports within 36 to 48 hours enabling quick decisions in critical matters that may
lead to complete shutdown of the invaluable asset/equipment.
4. Green Economy Impact: Oil Regeneration is a fundamental part of the green economy. Supporting industries in their efforts to reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimise pollution is ‘The Need of Our Times’.

About the author:
KB Mathur, Founder & Director, Global Technical Services, is a seasoned mechanical engineer with 56 years of experience in India’s oil industry and industrial reliability. He pioneered ‘Total Lubrication Management’ and has been serving the mining and cement sectors since 1999.

Concrete

Charting the Green Path

Published

1 month ago

May 13, 2025

admin

The Indian cement industry has reached a critical juncture in its sustainability journey. In a landmark move, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has, for the first time, announced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity reduction targets for 282 entities, including 186 cement plants, under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023. These targets, to be enforced starting FY2025-26, are aligned with India’s overarching ambition of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.
Cement manufacturing is intrinsically carbon-intensive, contributing to around 7 per cent of global GHG emissions, or approximately 3.8 billion tonnes annually. In India, the sector is responsible for 6 per cent of total emissions, underscoring its critical role in national climate mitigation strategies. This regulatory push, though long overdue, marks a significant shift towards accountability and structured decarbonisation.
However, the path to a greener cement sector is fraught with challenges—economic viability, regulatory ambiguity, and technical limitations continue to hinder the widespread adoption of sustainable alternatives. A major gap lies in the lack of a clear, India-specific definition for ‘green cement’, which is essential to establish standards and drive industry-wide transformation.
Despite these hurdles, the industry holds immense potential to emerge as a climate champion. Studies estimate that through targeted decarbonisation strategies—ranging from clinker substitution and alternative fuels to carbon capture and innovative product development—the sector could reduce emissions by 400 to 500 million metric tonnes by 2030.
Collaborations between key stakeholders and industry-wide awareness initiatives (such as Earth Day) are already fostering momentum. The responsibility now lies with producers, regulators and technology providers to fast-track innovation and investment.
The time to act is now. A sustainable cement industry is not only possible—it is imperative.