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It would only be fair to assume that after having been an EHS professional for a quarter of a century, Senior Manager, V Muruganantham (AVM, as he is more popularly known) would know a thing or two about EHS. The multiple awards and recognition he has won certainly bear out that assumption for, as he describes, “protecting human life at work.” Looking back at his decade and a half journey with L&T, he shares excitedly, “my most memorable moment was when L&T gave me the opportunity to receive the ‘Sword of Honour’ award in London for Omkar 1973. I was the first person from L&T to be given that privilege and when I handed it over to our CEO & MD, SNS Sir’s words, “Keep up the effort and achieve more milestones” is still ringing in my ears.” AVM has the rare distinction of winning the ‘Sword of Honour’ award thrice: for Omkar 1973 and two for Piramal Aranya, his present assignment which is his sixth.
AVM’s association with L&T began with two projects in Hyderabad, Microsoft and ICICI, after which he moved to Mumbai in 2010, and has worked at the Orchid Crown, Omkar 1973, Oberoi Skycity and Piramal Aranya projects. Awards have found a way of following him starting with the National Safety Council Gold award he won at his first project followed by NSC’s Prashansa Patra and the OSH Gold award for Omkar 1973, the three ‘Sword of Honour’ awards in addition to a bagful of internal awards for his projects and B&F IC.
AVM receiving the ‘Sword of Honour’ in London for Omkar 1973
“Managing workmen is my biggest challenge due to language barriers and culture differences,” he remarks. “Meeting high expectations from reputed clients is another and the new challenge is to be competent with technology as we adapt more digital solutions to improve EHS standards.” Having spent half his career in high-rise constructions, he flags off Automatic Climbing System, firefighting systems, logistic management considering Mumbai’s space constraints as some EHS innovations he has helped introduce. “Controlling fires in a high-rise construction is critical for which I introduced a fire hydrant system for the first time in L&T involving the ACS system. Another, is a fall protection system I’ve implemented by installing safety fan nets around buildings more than 250 meter tall.”
On the softer side, AVM acknowledges his seniors for their support and encouragement specially mentioning P Nagarajan, Head – EHS, B&F and Prakash Pai, CPM – Mumbai region. Appreciating the value of long and deep relationships, AVM is grateful for his 7‑year-plus association with his present Project Director, S Somasundaram, “who has guided and played a big role in my development. I am thankful to my subordinate of more than six years, Nallasivam, who has also contributed greatly to my success.”
Haiiling from Elappakkam in Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram district, AVM spends his free time watching the news, practicing yoga, and involving himself in activities to serve God. “I have my daily schedule that I strictly adhere to,” he signs off, the true professional.
AVM is married to Sathiya, a postgraduate in commerce but now a homemaker and they are blessed with two children, Durgaprasath, who is in 12th and Sharan, who is in 7th standard