Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to reinforce industrial safety standards across Odisha, Shri Indramani Tripathy, Director of Factories and Boilers and Commissioner of Labour, has called for a shift in perspective, urging the industrial workforce to view safety not merely as a statutory obligation but as a proactive daily commitment.
Speaking as the Chief Guest during the fourth and final phase of the state-level training workshop on the Role and Responsibilities of the Safety Committee, Shri Tripathy emphasized that the foundation of a secure workplace lies in the seamless integration of individual responsibility and mutual cooperation among employees.
The specialized workshop, held in the conference hall of the State Labour Institute, was the culmination of a multi-phase initiative aimed at strengthening the internal safety mechanisms of factories across the state. Organized by the Directorate of Factories and Boilers with technical and administrative support from the State Labour Institute, the program targeted the empowerment of safety committee members—the vital link between management and the shop floor.
The primary objective of this training intervention was to foster a zero-accident culture by enhancing awareness and clarifying the legal and operational mandates of safety committees. Under the Factories Act, these committees are tasked with critical duties including hazard identification, risk assessment, and the implementation of preventive measures. By training members to be more vigilant and skilled in modern safety audits, the state government aims to ensure that every industrial unit in Odisha operates under the highest possible safety benchmarks.
Shri Tripathy noted that as Odisha continues to grow as an industrial hub, the role of these committees becomes even more pivotal in maintaining industrial harmony. He highlighted that when safety is prioritized, it directly translates into better labor welfare and enhanced overall productivity.
The workshop also served as a platform for discussing the technical nuances of workplace safety. Discussions led by senior officials, including Dr. Malay Kumar Pradhan, Deputy Director of Safety, focused on the importance of regular committee meetings and the technical aspects of safety audits. Participants from various industrial sectors engaged in interactive sessions to share best practices and find practical solutions to site-specific safety challenges.
With the conclusion of this final phase, the Directorate of Factories and Boilers expects to see a measurable impact on how safety protocols are executed on the ground. By transforming safety from a reactive checklist into a collaborative culture, the state is positioning itself to better protect its most valuable asset: its workforce.