ecchelmet WDFC EMP 16 Project – where EHS awards are a way of life!
The WDFC EMP 16 Project of Railways SBG has made it a habit to win and keep winning prestigious EHS awards. Apart from having clocked 6 million plus safe manhours, the project has bagged the National Safety Council (NSC) Prashansa Patra – 2021, the LIFE Award – 2022, the NSC Appreciation Award for both 2020 & 2022, the British Safety Council Award consecutively for four years (2020 to 2023), and the RoSPA Gold for five consecutive years that has won them the RoSPA Gold Medal. “This is certainly the icing on the cake,” grins a delighted Project Director, Samir Kumar Gupta, “and it is due recognition for some very focused and sustained efforts to maintain a robust EHS culture across our project.”
This is certainly the icing on the cake and it is due recognition for some very focused and sustained efforts to maintain a robust EHS culture across our project.
Samir Kumar Gupta
Project Director
The project involves the electrification of 2×25 kV high-rise OHE (932 TKM), including 1 Gas Insulated Substation, 6 Air Insulated Substations, 40 Switching Stations, and SCADA System between JNPT to Makarpura on an EPC basis. “Ensuring the safety of men, material, and machinery in a linear project stretching over several kilometres is always a tall order,” opines EHS In-charge, Sandeep Bhaurao Shirsat, “but we have ensured our safety standards through consistent teamwork, collaboration, early anticipation, and resolution of problems by using various digital solutions, mechanized working, and constant learning from the incidents/near-miss reports of similar ongoing and previous projects.”
We have ensured our safety standards through consistent teamwork, collaboration, early anticipation, and resolution of problems by using various digital solutions, mechanized working, and constant learning from the incidents/near-miss reports of similar ongoing and previous projects.
Sandeep Bhaurao Shirsat
EHS In-charge
Staying on track despite challenges
What gives Sandeep and Planning Manager, Purushottam Khadye, sleepless nights is having to work adjacent to the extremely busy electrified Indian Railway line on which about 180 trains run daily between New Delhi and Mumbai. “Barricading at 3.5 m has been erected near the railway line to avoid people from infringing on to the tracks while working, and we use discharge rods, high-voltage induction sensors, and detectors to stay safe from induction,” informs Sandeep. The team has implemented a stringent work permit system too when working adjacent to the railway line during power/traffic blocks.
Moving the construction machineries like NTC, Ballast Hoppers, Tamping Machines, etc. of other stakeholders on the DFCC track was achieved by regularly interfacing with all the stakeholders for risk-free movement.
Purushottam Khadye
Planning Manager
Working at height is a risk-prone activity, and to eliminate the threat of falling from height, they have deployed Vertical Carrying Platforms (VCPs), RRV scissor lifts, and tower wagons for wiring, final adjustment, and checking works. The risk of leakage of SF6 gas in the confined space of the 220 kV GIS building has been addressed by meticulously following MSDS & evacuation route plans.
Handling multiple heavy electrical equipment and transporting it through rural and urban roads is challenging at the best of times, and even more so given the terrain and conditions the team is operating in. They have ensured traffic management by coordinating with the village heads and instituting regimented safety procedures for handling heavy equipment weighing up to 120 MT. “Apart from our own equipment, moving the construction machineries like NTC, Ballast Hoppers, Tamping Machines, etc. of other stakeholders on the DFCC track was achieved by regularly interfacing with all the stakeholders for risk-free movement,” informs Purushottam.
Unique challenges need unique safety measures
- A digitalized EHS process that includes new VR & AR training modules on Railway Construction Safety has been introduced to effectively train the workers.
- Helmet-mounted induction sensors are worn by frontline staff when working in proximity to Indian Railways lines & high-voltage induction detectors are used to check for any residual current in the newly laid DFCCIL OHE.
- Cradle platforms made from site scrap are being used for OHE cantilever erection work to facilitate the workers from the hazards of ergonomics when working at height.
- Window & rescue kits are being used for the first time for conductor jumpering works at heights of 12– 15 m in all substations.
- Mechanized machineries like Wiring Trains, Mast Grabbers, VCPs, Tower Wagons, RRV Scissor Lifts, Concrete Conveyors, and others that are at par with global standards are being used to mitigate hazards.
Samir is aware that his project team has set some lofty EHS benchmarks, and the onus is on him, Sandeep, Purushottam, and the entire WDFC EMP 16 team to maintain and even surpass them. They seem to have the right people and the right strategy in place, and here’s wishing them more awards and recognition as they keep their EHS performance top of the line!