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We all know that complex construction projects such as the High-Speed Rail (HSR) can pose significant challenges and risks, particularly when it comes to Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS). Our commitment is to continuously improve, adapt, and overcome the ever-changing demands by being enthusiastic, dynamic, and always persistent to achieve MISSION ZERO HARM.
The project safety culture to care, to commit, and to comply always starts with the L&T Safety Pledge. We take this oath to commit very seriously – to do everything possible to prevent incidents, occupational diseases, and to protect the environment, in the interest of self, organization, community, and the nation at large.
Making Mission Zero Harm a reality
What exactly does this mean? We must know what is possible and strive to find innovative ways to make Zero Harm a reality at every site, every single day. No small task when you have around 237 km of viaduct, 4 stations, and 19 precast yards to build as well as countless rivers to cross! We have a small army of close to 20,000 L&T employees and workmen.
The first and most important thing is to believe that all accidents are preventable and that it takes thoughtful understanding of the risks associated with all aspects of our complex construction projects by identifying and evaluating potential hazards, considering both the physical and environmental factors we face. Ensuring effective control measures is crucial to prevent any potential harm, which becomes even more significant considering that the project involves the installation of India’s first ever 970 MT full span girders using stateof-the-art Full Span Launching Methodology (FSLM) machines. Success relies heavily on seamless teamwork among the various stakeholders such as designers, planners, administrators, P&M personnel, site execution teams, and on-site workers.
All our employees at L&T project sites play a crucial role in making challenging tasks appear easy and routine through their significant contributions to safety.
Communication, especially on long linear projects, is essential to ensure that we all share our knowledge & expertise and document our obligations, plans, and control measures to ensure that everyone understands the construction sequences.
Overcoming barriers for construction safety is vital to the strategy.
Education and awareness training are significant investments in terms of time and resources where employees and workmen can be indoctrinated with the technical protocols and best practices to make them a way of life. Internal and external trainers are programmed to deliver a vast array of subjects focusing on routine and Class 1 risks. This process is continuous as the majority of the workforce is transient. It is therefore essential that on Day One every workman knows that they are working on an L&T site where safety rules and processes are mandatory and non-negotiable.
Diligently follow the Golden Rules
The 20 Golden Safety Rules and Culture at sites are totally dependent on all L&T employees ensuring a mindset where safety is integral to the construction process and not just an additional measure. Ensuring compliance with the safety rules is a sure way to drive professionalism, which makes L&T Construction sites stand out from our competitors. The expectation is a site that is neat and well organized with sufficient safety signage, barrication, and housekeeping.
Construction site routines and good habits are fundamental to ensure that critical work is being done safely, which includes daily prestart briefing and toolbox talks, site inspections, issuing permits to work, and lifting plans for all high-risk activities. These daily practices are crucial not only for safety but also to ensure that work can be delivered efficiently with serviceable machinery and tools that are operated by competent staff and workmen.
Digitalization driving efficiency
To effectively monitor our sites, we have implemented cuttingedge technology, including the SHEILD App, that offers numerous advantages, to raise incident reports and observations promptly so that managers and engineers can take immediate action to rectify any faults or issues that may arise. Furthermore, the data collected through the app is analysed thoroughly, to identify potential problems and proactively eliminate them across different sites. At HSR, we have recently begun using Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems attached to CCTV cameras around the sites for real-time reporting of safety violations such as speeding vehicles and individuals failing to wear the appropriate individual PPE. These devices will continue to evolve to improve efficiency and create sites where world-class safety compliance is the norm.
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ON DAY ONE EVERY WORKMAN
KNOWS THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON AN L&T SITE WHERE
SAFETY RULES AND PROCESSES ARE MANDATORY AND
NON-NEGOTIABLE.
Successful execution of high-risk, complex construction projects depends greatly on the expertise, enthusiasm, dynamism, and dedication of the site teams. They play a crucial role in achieving the goal of ‘Mission Zero Harm’ by being highly motivated and committed to working together to always ensure safety, day or night. Their knowledge and collaborative efforts contribute significantly to delivering safe outcomes at every site.