Leading an award-winning EHS effort from the front

Started in June 2019, the SEB Medamit project to construct a 131 km long 275 kV transmission line in the heartland of Malaysia carries with it all the challenges of building infrastructure in a foreign land, having to constantly contend with the unknown local population, customs, rules & regulations, and much more. That Project Manager Aseef Vempalli and team are making significant headway, and that too by keeping their EHS record intact, is deserving of high praise.

Little wonder, therefore, that the project has won L&T Construction’s Safety Award – 2024.

“Our robust environment, health, and safety management system with an emergency response plan has been specifically designed and developed for the 131 km transmission line project due to its geographical location, terrain, and non-availability of networks & facilities along the transmission line route,” apprises Aseef. Their EHS management system has been further integrated with the ISO 45001:2018 OSHMS & ISO14001:2015 EMS as the foundation for effective risk assessment and hazard identification processes.

Reviews, workforce well-being, training – key ingredients of a strong EHS culture

“The EHS Committee regularly meets to review the project in compliance with the communication, consultation, and participation of workers as per ISO 45001:2018,” informs EHS Head, Nicholas Choo Siaw Ju, “to ensure that matters pertaining to safety policies, protocols, management systems, emergency response plan, and training are documented and practiced through daily activities.” In addition, emergency response plans and evacuation drills are regularly conducted both at the labour camps and at site. Nicholas is happy that their efforts have borne fruit, for the project has thus far clocked 3.27 safe million manhours.

According to Planning Head, Kuruva Raghavendra, safeguarding the health and wellbeing of employees and workers has been a big reason for the project winning the Safety Award. “Several of our initiatives promote healthy lifestyle, ergonomics, and wellness to create a supportive work environment,” he shares. Regular health screenings conducted by the Project Medical Assistant and active collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, keep the employees and workers fit for duty while addressing occupational hazards and effectively strengthening overall workplace safety. Monthly motivational awards through certifications, instituted with support from the top management, recognize top performers. “Such accolades not only validate their efforts but also serve as motivation for ongoing improvements within the framework of sustainability and employee welfare,” adds Kuruva.

The role of training to cultivate an informed workforce about the best practices related to safety and environmental policies can never be overlooked. Continuous education fosters a proactive approach among employees, enhancing their engagement to maintain workplace safety standards. “We regularly conduct EHS awareness training for the workforce apart from engaging third-party trainers to improve their safety competency,” highlights EHSO Leon Murong Anak Sebeli. Additionally, the team coordinates with government authorities for relevant safety training on topics such as firefighting safety and defensive driving, which are jointly arranged and conducted.

Leading the EHS effort from the front

Aseef is aware of the critical role leadership commitment plays in sustaining EHS initiatives. “We have regular audits both by the client and us to demonstrate our accountability towards achieving the set EHS goals,” he points out seriously. Transparent communication regarding performance metrics encourages collective responsibility across all levels. Continuous improvement through feedback mechanisms ensures that EHS programmes evolve with industry best practices while community engagement initiatives build strong relationships with local stakeholders.

Always prepared to respond to a crisis

A robust Emergency Response Plan specifically developed for the project due to its nature and geographical conditions is in place, which keeps all the teams prepared to respond immediately and independently during any emergency conditions as there are extremely limited medical facilities available along the line routes. All key staff, supervisors, and team leaders are trained by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society as Qualified First Aiders. Regular mock drills are triggered to test the efficiency of the Emergency Response Plan and to identify the gaps, if any, for improvement.

Recognition for a job well done

Aseef and Nicholas are delighted with some of the awards that the project has bagged along the way, including a RoSPA Silver in 2022, a Silver at the SEB CECA (Contractor EIA Compliance Awards) in 2024, followed by the British Safety Council’s Merit Award and a 5‑Star from the Safety & Health Assessment System in Construction (SHASSIC), Malaysia, both in 2024.

Even as the project proceeds, Aseef, Kuruva, Nicholas, and team will be extra vigilant to keep a good thing going by maintaining their excellent EHS performance till they deliver the project. Here’s wishing them all the very best!