WDFC – EMP 16 Project 

Unrelenting in their pursuit of Safety

“It has been challenging to work next to a live & busy railway line and at heights over a length of 932 TKM,” observes Vijay. “While we emphasize the importance of upskilling and maintaining a good mental health at our toolbox meetings, we have developed training modules and evaluation metrics for hazards of Induction Current & Discharging procedures.”

To address the challenge of frequent change of workers at site, the team has regular and robust processes for training and retraining them. “In tough and non-navigable sections of our site where workers are vulnerable to dangerous hazards, we ensure that they are equipped with the right safety gadgets like helmet mounted induction sensors and induction detectors. Nurturing a safe work culture requires the commitment of the entire site team,” he emphasizes for good measure.

Their digital initiatives ensure better efficiency and productivity like the SHEILD App that has sharpened the team’s EHS observations and enabled quicker implementation of control measures while skilling workers with AR/VR modules has helped them understand site challenges better. Vijay breaks out into a happy smile, “Our high EHS standards have won us the RoSPA Gold medal, NSCI, BSC and FICCI awards and these have been possible due to the support from my seniors and team members, who have actively participated in all the site EHS activities, like trainings, audits, health surveillance, committee meetings, etc.”

What then has the team done differently to have such an impressive EHS track record? “We spearhead various safety motivational programmes for the workers to make them realise the importance of working safely and blend them into the L&T safety culture and inspire them to realise how, by following Safety, it benefits not just them personally, but the society, the organization and the country at large as well.” In addition, the team creates awareness among the workers about good health and creating and maintaining a healthy environment, conducts regular housekeeping drives in their working areas and complies with the legal and contractual Safety requirements by maintaining proper EHS documentation.

Satyajit is grateful to the higher management for their instant approvals and support for him to drive EHS at site. “All our team members unconditionally support safety,” he says with a wide smile, also mentioning the SHEILD App that has proved a boon for the team to fulfil their checklists and record observations.

“SAFETY IS A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY”

Ved Prakash Singh

Construction Manager (Elec), TI IC (RBG)

Having previously been associated with the WDFC EMP‑4 Phase‑1 and EPC‑7 Railway Project as Section In-charge, Ved Prakash Singh brings valuable railways experience to his third project at L&T, the WDFC EMP 16 Project. “My approach is to make workmen understand that safety is a collective responsibility that benefits not only themselves but everyone around too,” About his role at the Safety Award– winning project, he mentions conducting regular programmes with his team to imbibe the L&T safety culture in the workmen.

“All workmen who are engaged at the site attend an induction to drive home the importance of safety,” Ved informs. “We also impart time-to-time safety training, and day-to-day work is supervised by competent staff who ensure that all required safety equipment are available and safety standards followed.”

Ved consults his EHS team regularly to address the challenges of a changing workforce. “It is crucial that the new workmen familiarize themselves with our safety standards,” he notes astutely. “We have stringent delivery schedules, but our Safety team supports us steadily and ensures that dedicated time is given for safety awareness/initiatives.”

Ved and team are grateful to the top management for their support. “They have always provided us necessary safetyrelated approvals instantly, and we can work with certainty that we have their guidance whenever required,” he adds with a smile, also mentioning the usefulness of the SHEILD app for checklists and observations.

“Wearing proper PPE is an essential part of workplace safety for any industry and, more particularly, at a construction site,” he remarks. “I always insist all my employees and workers to wear proper safety equipment for the task they have been assigned because without appropriate safety equipment, they run the risk of injuring either themselves or others.” He ensures that they wear helmets, proper footwear, and other personal protective equipment. A point of grave concern for the EMP-16 team is that they work next to a live, busy railway line that calls for close monitoring. “At times in the project, we engage lots of workers to complete a task within a specific time frame; here, it becomes challenging for us to cope with the bulk of activities to be done in this small timeframe without compromising on safety and quality standards,” he notes seriously. “However, we keep maintaining the standards without fail. In many cases, workers are well experienced in their work but unaware of Safety, which is why we conduct TBTs before starting working.” Shubham mentions that at TBTs they focus on hazards, safe work practices, and how to minimize hazards during work. “Digitalization is also helping us to ensure a safe and secure work environment by promptly addressing any safety hazards and concerns that arise,” he adds.

For someone learning the ropes, Shubham is appreciative of the support from his seniors. On their collaboration, he says, “Every evening we discuss about the next day’s work and the possible challenges and problems we may have to face at site. If there are major issues arising, then we directly inform our superior to discuss the problem.” He is grateful for the regular guidance and constructive feedback he receives from all around.