2 Day International Conference on Vision Zero Training Program for Industries of Malaysia India Hosted by Bharat Chamber of Commerce Kolkata on 31st July & 1st August –(IGFP Nr.2024-25)

Thanks Mail to Bharat Chamber of Commerce

Respected Organizer/ Guests/ Speakers/ Participating Organizations from Malaysia & India,

Through this mail, IGFP would like to Express A Big Gratitude & Thanks to All Valued Stakeholders for the Successful Conduct of Two Days International Vision zero Training  cum Knowledge Sharing on Good Practices involving Vision zero for A Safe Workplace with A Secured Workforce. It would be worth mentioning the Pivotal Role Played by Bharat Chambers of Commerce in Hosting the Event with Excellent Event Management & Strong Support of PERESKO Malaysia Along with Our German Partners Led by DGUV with Coordination of IGFP.

A. Few Significant Features of This Program Are :-

1. Bringing Together Industries/ Institutions from Two Countries with Speakers from International/ National/ State Level

2. Bringing Together All Stakeholders under 1 Platform- Regulators/ Employers/ Trade Unions/ Medical Safety Practitioners/ Supervisors/ Start-ups/Faculties/ Students

3. Evolving Multidisciplinary Approach to such Event- Safety Health & Social Security with Focus on Visio zero

4. Creating Impact to take forward ‘ Vision zero As A Preventive Strategy to Reach the Goal of Zero Accident/ Fatality – Covering All Sectors of the Economy

5.  Teamwork & Togetherness in Promoting Goal of ” Vision zero for Zero Harm ” ( Proposals for CoE& next edition of Joint Training program as Articulated in Takeaways Note may be Referred )

B. Theme Song Articulated by Participants stand Testimony to Above Features , Besides A Message for All Stakeholders- Save A Life for A Secured Family & Prosperous Nation. Enclosed )

C.  Takeaways of Two Days Event from IGFP Perspective as Prepared by Mr Partha Mitra, IES (Former Principal LEA, MOLE, Govt. of India) who was involved since a Day is Enclosed As ” Lessons Learnt & Way Forward ” ( Enclosed )

D. Two Publications were Released @ Inaugural Session – Flyer/ Brochure Prepared by Bharat Chamber & IGFP Brochure 2024 ( Enclosed )

E. Few Photos Enclosed As ” Down the Memory Lane ” ( Enclosed ) ( give Inaugural Session/ Booklet Release/ Speaker each / Concluding Session )

F. A Reality Check involving the Two Days Event in the words of ISSA Vision zero  Senior Officer Forwarded Herewith to Sum Up the  Impact

@ the End, I would request All to continue such Support in our Mission – Such Small Small Intervention has Big Impact to Promote ” Zero Accident/ Fatality is Possible “

Through This Mail i am requesting Bharat Chambers to put Soft Copies of Latest Program/ Soft Copies of Brochure released/ video Message of ISSA President/Takeaways of 2 Days Proceedings/ Good Photos of Inaugural technical & Concluding Sessions with Title Slide of Each Presentation with similar request to Mr Trichel Bernard of ISSA Visionzero( Geneva ) to update Our Above Activities in ISSA Website.

I also visited State Labour Institute West Bengal & Regional Labour Institute ( RLI of DGFASLI ) for Collaboration/Cooperation for OSH SS Programs.

With Cheers & Regards

Mr B.K Sahu 

Former Insurance Commissioner, ESIC, Ministry of Labour,

Communication Adviser To Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, IRDA,

Director @ Indo- German Focal Point- Prevention & Social Security For India , DGUV

Important Takeaways –

1. In the inaugural session it was mentioned by speakers that the concept of Vision Zero was not a procedural matter but an entire thought process which changes the mindset and the approach towards OSH.

2 It is necessary that not only the nature of work but the environment of work was given due importance. Although occupational health effects take time to manifest, it needs to be given due importance by making both management and workers conscious of the hazards that are involved in the working environment and that regular health checkups must be made mandatory in the interest of early detection. The importance of occupation hygiene was also emphasized as a tool to reduce occupational health hazards. The role of hierarchy of controls was also mentioned which involved elimination, job rotation, PPEs. Among other aspects. It was also important that biological monitoring, risk assessment and specific protection regimes and rehabilitation measures be taken for affected workers.

3.The India Malaysia joint  trainingprogramme gave an opportunity to participants to share the best practices of each country so that the OSH regime in both the countries could be further strengthened and it was agreed that such joint programs between the two countries would be held regularly.

4.Thete is a need for regular training and skill up gradation of safety personnel. So that they inculcate the best practices and share them with the workers. The importance of gig and platform work was becoming important globally but work relationships and OSH related matters have still not fully evolved for gig and platform workers. It is important that this neglected aspect. be taken up by all governments in the interest of work environment safety and well being.

5. The role of Leadership in inculcating a preventive safety culture which is the main objective of Vision Zero was emphasized by many speakers. It was observed that newer technology such as photovoltaic’s which played a very important role in the green energy transition journey of the world often resulted in increased number of accidents due  to lack. of training and awareness among  workers to deal with such new technology.

6.The MSME sector was  the backbone of industries both in India and Malaysia and OSH practices were important for this sector. Malaysia is attempting to follow a rigorous methodology. which involved pre and post evaluation of OSH practices consisting of various steps and a synoptic table which ensures that correct practices are followed by the MSME sector. About 95 companies have adopted the approach which consist of risk management, hazard analysis, action plan with a time period of 3 to 4 months to close the gaps identified by the safety and health committees.

7.The importance of safe machines and equipment, right design, safety gadgets, quarantine method of inspection, operator qualification, fitness and responsibility were emphasized. It was observed that the role of response regime, unexpected failures, BIM, digital apps, monitoring equipment including smart cameras and virtual reality as part of the preventive safety culture was also gaining in importance.

8.Constant change in working conditions, subcontracting and workforce coming from different nationalities were key characteristics of the labour market in the construction sector. It has been estimated that in Germany 29%of all fatal accidents were from fall from heights. The situation is similar in other countries. Proper of alignment of Roofs, ladders, scaffolding were important in making the Golden Rules of Vision Zero adopt to special conditions. A best practice on use of ladders developed by KOSHSA, South Korea was mentioned as a practice worth emulating. A one -two pager materials on unsafe/safe behavior on roofs, ladder safety, risks of scaffolding, BIM, module for fall protection and virtual reality applications were available with BGBAU for wider dissemination.

9.The importance of mental health was emphasized as it has gained prominence in the post pandemic situation when  Work From Home gained prominence. Workers stress and anxiety became very widespread during the pandemic due to lack of social interaction. As a way out it was suggested that Yoga and Meditation could play an important role in bringing  about mental peace as  several well known people globally and in India  made meditation an important part of their daily lives.

9.The Malaysian Society for OSH which had about 4000 members, setup in 1971,was playing an important role in developing a preventive culture in that country. The OSH act in Malaysia was recently amended to align with Vision Zero. As a result the narrow mindset of the prescriptive principle replaced with a much broader preventive regime with focus on strengthening self regulation, design and planning of safety measures. The role of Nudge towards development of leadership through Vision Zero was being increasingly recognized in Malaysia with greater emphasis on safety planning at the beginning of any industrial activity playing a very important part of Leadership through accountability. Strengthening employee rights, construction work design and management with greater client responsibility for safety were key features of the new OSH regime in Malaysia.. The involvement of Principal Designer as the planner and Principal Contractor as the doer of work was gaining wider recognition as part of the work design and safety culture with Vision Zero as the overarching theme in Malaysia.

10. Importance  on fall protection was primary in the Malaysian construction sector in the background of the 1994 Malaysian twin tower(561 meter height)  incident on its 60th floor. The role of the management was critical in bringing about safety culture with due emphasis on. Netting. Eliminate, prevent, restrain,arrest were the key concepts in bringing about a preventive  safety culture. Cage ladder, hand rail, guard rail connecting the worker to the anchorage point were integral part of a preventive safety culture in the construction sector.

11.In the concluding session. the valuable contribution of the team from Bharat Chamber led by Ms Keka Sharma the Secretary General of the Chamber in the making the Programme a grand success was acknowledged. 

An important announcement was made by Shri Khaitan, President Bharat Chamber of Commerce &Industry to setup a Centre of Excellence on OSH with Mr B.K Sahu, Director IGFP as the Chair of the proposed Centre to propagate Vision Zero as part of its overall activities.

Prepared by

Mr Partha Mitra, IES (Former Principal LEA, MOLE, Govt. of India)

Goodwill Thanks Mail received from International SpeakersThank you Mr Sahu,For the organisation of this great event and for all the work and effort you put into the promotion of Vision Zero.  Bernd TreichelSenior Officer in Social Security (Prevention)International Social Security Association (ISSA)

Dear Mr. Sahu,Dear Bharat Chamber of Commerce,Dear Dr. Darus, Back in Germany, I would like to thank you all once again for this great event, your generous hospitality and the inspiring discussions.I am convinced that the investment in VISION ZERO is one of the best ways to promote safety, health and well-being for all people globally. Keep up the good work! I look forward to our cooperation. Best regards, Sigrid  RothSecretary General ISSA Section Trade

Release of IGFP Brochure 2024

Release of Bharat Chamber of Commerce Brochure on International Vision Zero Training for Industries of Malaysia & India released.

Presentation of Mr.B K Sahu Director IGFP

Impact-60 Institution & 140 Individuals (TBC)

For Details Kindly Visit ISSA Website & Bharat Chamber of Commerce through YouTube Link-https://www.youtube.com/live/Za5ru2h_zi4?si=aLBVsAHJAj139NVa

Click here to download Program Details for 2Days International Symposium Kolkata 2024

Click here to download Brochure of International Training Program on Vision Zero