Connect with us

Economy & Market

We view safety as a core value

Published

on

Shares

Sujeet Kumar Singh, Founder, HSESkillEdge, shares how a blend of leadership commitment, digital innovation, and hands-on engagement is redefining safety in the Indian cement industry.

In a high-risk sector like cement, safety excellence demands more than protocols — it calls for culture, technology, and collaboration. In this conversation, Sujeet Kumar Singh, Founder, HSESkillEdge, discusses closing training gaps, leveraging digital tools, and building a safety-first mindset across the industry.

How has your industry experience shaped your safety philosophy?
We believe that all incidents are preventable and that safety is a core value, not just a priority. Everyone has the right to work in a safe environment, and everyone is responsible for maintaining it. Leadership commitment, active employee involvement, and continuous improvement are essential to achieving excellence in safety.

What key safety training gaps exist in cement plants today?
Key safety training gaps in cement plants often arise from complex operations and high-risk activities such as working at heights, scaffold usage, work in confined space, cyclone unblocking, handling hazardous waste as alternative fuel, and inadequate use of respiratory protection.

How are digital tools like Permit to Work (PTW) and Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) improving on-ground safety?
Digital tools have eliminated non-value-adding paperwork, enabled real-time operations, and facilitated data-driven strategic decisions through analysis of shop floor data.

What impact have your IoT and SAP-based safety systems delivered?
The IoT and SAP-based system enabled real-time data capture, instant alarm generation, agile response, clear role definition, transparent workflows, and seamless job tracking through system-generated auto-mails.

How do you ensure contractor and worker compliance in cement sites?
Contractor and worker compliance for routine activities is effectively managed through a Contractor and Logistics Safety Management System, supported by rigorous training, on-the-job observations, and active worker engagement in risk assessments. This includes regular toolbox talks, safety skits during monthly safety gate meetings, and, most importantly, positive reinforcement through public recognition, praise for safe behaviours, and continuous feedback on observations related to at-risk behaviours or opportunities for improvement (OFIs).
The Indian cement industry has also taken a progressive step by initiating the development of a Safety Passport System for contractors, contract workers, and drivers. This initiative, in collaboration with the Global Cement and Concrete Association (India) and the National Safety Council of India, is highly practical and focuses on hand-holding and capacity building to ensure health and safety, especially in non-routine and high-risk jobs. I am truly grateful to be part of the core team driving this initiative, alongside corporate safety heads from all GCCA (India) member companies.

How are BIS and CMA standards evolving in OH&S?
The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) plays a vital role in advancing health, safety, and sustainability in the cement industry by facilitating the exchange of best practices among member companies and contributing to the development of Indian Standards through its representation in BIS sectional committees.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is instrumental in formulating and maintaining national standards to ensure occupational health and safety (OHS) across industries. BIS develops and publishes Indian Standards (IS) covering areas such as personal protective equipment (PPE), machinery and equipment safety, hazardous materials handling, workplace ergonomics, exposure limits, fire safety, electrical safety, and emergency preparedness.
BIS works through expert committees comprising representatives from industry bodies, academia, government, and workers’ and employers’ organisations, and aligns Indian Standards with global benchmarks like ISO, ILO Conventions, and other international norms. I had the privilege of representing CMA in Technical Committee CHD 8 – Occupational Safety, Health and Chemical Hazards.

What does ‘Suraksha Dil Se’ mean in practical terms?
We view safety as a core value driven by care and responsibility. Our approach is practical, compliant, and customised to create real, lasting impact — both on the ground and in people’s lives. Through impactful training, expert consultancy, and digital HSE solutions, we empower a safer, smarter workforce while embedding the spirit of ‘Suraksha Dil Se’ into both systems and culture.
To me, ‘Suraksha Dil Se’ means going beyond SOPs and compliance — it’s about acting from the heart, where the impact is multiplied because safety becomes a shared commitment, not just a requirement.

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication 

Published

on

By

Shares

Singh brings 20+ years of brand and marketing experience, and will lead integrated corporate brand communication initiatives at Wonder Cement 

New Delhi

Wonder Cement, a leading cement manufacturer, has appointed Mahesh Singh as Vice President – Corporate Brand Communication. In his new role, he will oversee corporate brand strategy and communication, including digital and performance marketing, public relations, trade, events, exhibitions, sports and experiential marketing. 

Singh brings over two decades of experience across marketing and communications, with roles spanning the automotive industry, agencies and entrepreneurship. He spent more than a decade with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, working across integrated communication, media, digital, retail and consumer engagement. His stint also included helping build the company’s digital marketing capabilities. 

He moved to dentsu X India as Vice President – Strategy & Planning, working across categories such as automotive, auto components, electric vehicles, FMCG, consumer electronics, BFSI, apparel and brand consulting. His responsibilities included media and marketing strategy, product launches, content, performance marketing and consumer activations. 

Singh subsequently took an entrepreneurial route with Radiant Brands before joining Shriram Ltd (SPR Autotech) as Head – Marketing & Communications. There, his remit included brand and corporate strategy, communications, PR and ORM, retail identity, loyalty programmes and events. 

At Wonder Cement, Singh will be responsible for bringing together the company’s corporate brand communication initiatives across digital, performance marketing, PR, trade, sports and experiential platforms. The role will focus on creating an integrated approach to communication across consumers, trade partners and other key stakeholders. 

The appointment brings to Wonder Cement a marketer whose career has spanned the brand, agency and entrepreneurial sides of the communications ecosystem. 

Wonder Cement, part of the RK Group, is a cement manufacturer with roots in Rajasthan and a focus on quality, trust and transparency. The company has grown to six manufacturing plants, and a cement capacity of 21.5 MTPA. With more than 2,000 employees and a network of over 5,000 dealers, its operations span manufacturing, distribution and customer engagement, with a focus on consistent product quality and efficient execution. 

Continue Reading

Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit at Nagaur

Published

on

By

Shares

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, 
Mumbai

JSW Cement, one of India’s leading green cement producers and part of the diversified JSW Group, today announced the successful commissioning of an additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit at Nagaur, Rajasthan. The commissioning marks another significant milestone in the Company’s growth strategy.

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, while its total clinker manufacturing capacity, including clinker capacity at its joint venture, JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

JSW Cement had commenced operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the commissioning of the additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit, the plant’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA, enhancing the company’s ability to cater to the growing cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a strategic mix of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended 30th September 2026, JSW Cement has also commissioned the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) at the Nagaur Integrated Plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said: “The commissioning of additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity at Nagaur is a key strategic priority for us and will accelerate JSW Cement’s expansion into North India. We look forward to servicing the growing needs of the region and contributing to the economic growth of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR area. I am delighted to share that the company has commissioned this grinding unit within the expected timeline, showcasing our project execution capabilities. Further, the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) are expected to substantially reduce our production costs going forward.”

Continue Reading

Concrete

UltraTech becomes first Indian cement firm to cross 2 GW green energy

Published

on

By

Shares

UltraTech Cement has crossed 2 GW of captive green energy capacity, with renewables and waste heat recovery meeting 48 per cent of its power needs.

Mumbai

UltraTech Cement Limited has surpassed 2 GW of installed green energy capacity for captive use, becoming the first cement company in India to achieve the milestone. The Aditya Birla Group company commissioned 116.55 MW of wind capacity at its Inter-State Transmission System-connected wind-solar hybrid project in Barmer, Rajasthan, along with 10 MW of Waste Heat Recovery System capacity at Sarlanagar Cement Works in Karnataka.

With these additions, UltraTech’s cumulative installed green energy capacity has reached 2,024 MW. This includes 1,580 MW of renewable energy capacity and 444 MW of waste heat recovery capacity, together meeting around 48 per cent of the company’s current power requirements.

The company said the milestone reflects the progress of its long-term energy transition strategy. In FY27 so far, nearly one-third of UltraTech’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50 per cent of their electricity requirements, while five units have crossed 95 per cent.

K C Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said, “Crossing the 2 GW green energy milestone is the result of a strategy we have pursued consistently over the past decade. Cement is an energy-intensive, hard-to-abate sector, and showing that reliability and growth can go hand in hand with a rapid shift to green energy sets a benchmark for the industry. With nearly half of our power needs now met through green energy, we are significantly less exposed to fossil fuel supply constraints and power price volatility. As we scale up renewables, waste heat recovery and battery storage across our operations, we are building an energy foundation for stable, long-term growth.”

UltraTech commissioned 430 MW of green energy capacity in FY26 and continues to expand its renewable energy and waste heat recovery portfolio.

The company is also progressively integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems across its operations to improve renewable energy utilisation and supply reliability.

In 2025, UltraTech operationalised what it described as India’s first on-site hybrid round-the-clock renewable energy project at Sewagram Cement Works in Gujarat. The project combines solar, wind and battery storage.

As part of its decarbonisation strategy, UltraTech said it has not invested in new captive thermal power capacity for either greenfield projects or brownfield expansions at its integrated units for more than a decade.

The company said its expanding green energy portfolio is helping reduce dependence on conventional grid electricity and fossil fuel-based power, while lowering exposure to fluctuations in coal and electricity prices.

UltraTech aims to increase green energy’s share in its total power mix to 85 per cent by 2030. As a member of RE100, it has also committed to meeting 100 per cent of its electricity requirement through renewable sources by 2050.

UltraTech Cement, the cement flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has a total grey cement capacity of 210.1 MTPA and white cement and putty capacity of 3.5 MTPA. The company is also a signatory to the GCCA Climate Ambition 2050 and has committed to the GCCA Net Zero Concrete roadmap.

Continue Reading

Video Thumbnail
▶

    SIGN-UP FOR OUR GENERAL NEWSLETTER

    Trending News