The 9th edition of OSH South India, India’s premier occupational safety and health (OSH) expo and conference, organised by Informa Markets in India, commenced at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bengaluru. The two-day expo taking place on June 27th and 28th, 2024, showcased advancements in personal protective equipment (PPE), occupational health solutions, artificial intelligence applications in safety, fall arrest systems, and workwear, and it is expected to draw more than 4000 trade visitors. With the global workplace safety market projected to grow from USD 15.7 billion in 2023 to USD 30.3 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 14%, OSH South India 2024 is poised to drive significant advancements in the sector, showcasing the latest technologies and solutions for enhancing workplace safety standards in India.
The inaugural ceremony of OSH South India 2024 was graced by distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mr. Mohammad Mohsin, IAS, Principal Secretary, Labour Department, Government of Karnataka; Guest of Honour Mr. K. Srinivas, Director, Department of Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety & Health, Government of Karnataka; Mr. K.G. Nanjappa, Additional Director, Department of Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety & Health, Government of Karnataka; Mr. V. Sriram Kumar, President, Electronics City Industries Association; Mr. E. T. Care Raju, President, Neelamangala Industrial Association; Mr. Mahesh Kudav, President, Safety Appliances Manufacturers Association; Mr. Dinesh A.U. Rittal, Chairman, National Institute of Personal Management; Mr. Pankaj Jain, Senior Group Director & Digital Head, Informa Markets in India; and Mr. Prashant Jain, Senior Project Director – Safety Portfolio. They emphasised the paramount importance of occupational safety and health, highlighting the need for a unified approach to fostering safer and more sustainable work environments.
Held in association with the Karnataka State Safety Institute and the Department of Factories, Boilers, Occupational Safety & Health, Government of Karnataka, the event featured participation from over 200 brands represented by around 90 domestic and international exhibitors. Prominent players such as RV Industries, Allen Cooper, PERF, Addsoft, Honeywell, Magnum, Reliance Retail, TVS Mobility, and Woodland are exhibiting their latest products and services.
The expo showcased a broad spectrum of safe and healthy working environments, with companies presenting their latest products, services, and solutions. These include hard hats, safety gloves, gas masks, safety shoes, workwear, and safety harnesses, all under one roof. Supported by prominent associations such as the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA), Safety Appliances Manufacturers Association (SAMA), Electronics City Industries Association (ELCIA), and WSHAsia, the event’s credibility is enhanced, reflecting a collaborative approach to advancing workplace safety.
Mr. Mohammad Mohsin, IAS, Principal Secretary, Labour Department, Govt of Karnataka, said “Industrialization has created unprecedented job opportunities, yet it highlights the urgent need for safety and health measures. We prioritize engineering and administrative controls, utilizing AI and digital training to mitigate risks effectively. Initiatives like the ‘Advancing Safety with Advanced Technology’ scheme have educated over 2,000 individuals through 11 seminars across Karnataka. The mission is to instill a safety culture among the 18 to 20 lakh workers in Karnataka’s industries, integrating proactive measures from school curriculums to industry leadership seminars. This initiative aims to prevent accidents and promote safety across all sectors of society.”
Mr. K. Srinivas, Director of Department of Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety & Health, Government of Karnataka, said “Preventing accidents is our foremost goal, and achieving this requires widespread awareness among workers, supervisors, management, and industry associations. In Karnataka, there are 60 to 65 fatal accidents each year, with 30% resulting from falls from heights, underlining a pivotal area requiring significant improvement. Adopting advanced technologies such as pole arresters can improve workplace safety throughout Bangalore and Karnataka. The government is dedicated to supporting accident-free workplaces through collaborative endeavors with stakeholders, emphasizing adherence to labour laws, especially regarding contract workers and their needs for PPE and canteen facilities. With robust governmental backing and ministerial leadership, our goal is to implement comprehensive safety measures effectively.”
Mr. PK Goswami, Deputy Director, Labour Department, Delhi, said “Occupational health and safety policies are integral to every industry, ensuring management’s commitment towards hazard identification, control processes, and personnel training. Despite these policies being predominantly on paper, their implementation remains crucial for achieving accident-free workplaces and employee well-being. This responsibility spans across management, workers, government, and stakeholders, addressing the unorganized sector where 90% of industries operate without proper safety oversight. India’s vast industrial landscape comprises approximately 36.5 million registered factories, yet this figure represents only a fraction of the actual industrial activity due to the exclusion of numerous small and unregistered enterprises. Enhancing safety culture through comprehensive accident reporting, integrating with social security systems, and ensuring adherence across all subcontracting levels are pivotal steps toward mitigating risks. India should adhere to global safety standards, aiming to allocate up to 3% of revenues towards safety measures, setting a benchmark for excellence.”
Mr. K.G. Nanjappa, Additional Director, Department of Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety & Health, Govt of Karnataka, said “Occupational health and safety (OHS) practices ensure the welfare and well-being of workers in our dynamic workplaces. Government regulations and company policies enhance safety standards, mitigates risks, and fosters a culture of safety. Collaboration between management and employees drives awareness and adherence to defined norms, crucial for preventing accidents and injuries. The Department of Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety, and Health deserves commendation for their proactive efforts in spreading safety awareness. Prioritising safety practices, especially in MSMEs, is essential for creating safer work environments. OSH South India showcases innovative solutions and insights to transform workplace safety.”
Mr. V. Sriram Kumar, President of ELCIA (Electronics City Industries Association), said “Effective safety begins with strong government policies driving a culture of safety among occupiers, instilling leadership in safety practices. Employees play a pivotal role by adhering to safe operating procedures and utilizing high-quality personal protective equipment as the last line of defense. Hazard identification and risk assessment are critical, followed by strategies like elimination, substitution, and administrative controls. OSH South India provides a platform that highlights the importance of understanding PPE requirements and enhancing safety awareness amidst alarming statistics, such as 2,000 fatal accidents annually in India. With over 18,000 factories employing 18 lakh workers in Karnataka, including 1,700 hazardous factories, our focus remains on stringent enforcement complemented by extensive training and awareness initiatives through the Karnataka State Safety Institute. Embracing Industry 4.0, integrating artificial intelligence with safety measures ensures real-time alerts for safer workplaces, reinforcing our commitment to building a resilient safety culture.”
Mr. Mahesh Kudav, President of the Safety Appliances Manufacturers Association, said “OSH South India is a cornerstone event for innovation, collaboration, and advancement in the occupational safety and health sector. As our country progresses towards becoming one of the top three economies globally, it is imperative to uphold high safety standards, reflecting our values of caring for human life. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has adopted the latest ISO standards, inspiring our SAMA members to achieve the highest quality of products. This event is a journey of discovery and progress, exploring the latest technologies, practices, and insights that propel our industry forward. As we gather to explore cutting-edge technologies and practices, forging connections to redefine standards and ensure sustainable growth for India as a leader in safety appliances.”
Speaking on the 9th edition of OSH South India, Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India said, “Occupational safety and health are fundamental human and labour rights. The evolving industrial landscape has significantly impacted OHS, making it essential to ensure the well-being of workers and create safe working environments. This is not only an ethical imperative but also crucial for operational efficiency and productivity. OSH South India aims to review and showcase advancements in workplace safety, integrating new technologies like data analytics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to prevent occupational diseases and promote safety solutions. In 2023, 78% of Indian companies reported plans to increase their budgets for workplace well-being initiatives. Regular safety training programs focus on facility operations, equipment handling, and road safety, while companies also prioritise employee mental being. Technology is rapidly transforming the Health Safety and Environment landscape, allowing for more efficient data collection, risk assessment, and incident prevention.
“By featuring the latest innovations, live demonstrations, product showcases, and invaluable networking opportunities, OSH South India stands at the forefront of driving industry standards and encouraging a safer, more resilient workforce through innovation and collaboration” he added.
Addressing at the OSH South India in Bengaluru, Mr Pankaj Jain, Sr. Group Director & Digital Head, Informa Markets in India said, “As part of our strategy to rotate this expo across major cities in South India, this year we come to the garden city of Bengaluru. OSH South India 2024 Expo includes in its formidable repertoire, products and solutions pertaining to PPE, safety workwear, powered access equipment, chemical safety products, ergonomics and gas detection. This year the event is poised to host over 200 brands offering exclusive deals on more than 300 products across occupational safety & health domain. Visitors will include more than 4,000 national and international industry professionals across key industry domains. I am grateful to the Karnataka State Department of Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety & Health for extending its full support to the OSH South India Expo. It’s a long, cherished partnership with the esteemed Department and is bound to add immense value to the Expo in terms of visitors, government dignitaries, speakers and delegates.”
OSH South India 2024 hosted a dedicated conference themed – ‘New-Age OSH Solutions for a Safer Workforce with over 40 speakers across 12 sessions. The ongoing conference at OSH South India spotlighted crucial topics such as Safety Culture Activation: Behavior-Based Safety, Going Beyond Risk Assessment and Control Strategies presented by Mr. P.C. Venkateswarlu, Hon. Secretary, National Safety Council-Karnataka Chapter; Functional Safety aspects of new age machines (AGV, Robots, Cobots) by Mr. Aravind Appi Raj, Sr.GM – Exide Energy Solutions Limited; Risk Assessment Beyond Era: Construction Site Logistics and its Impact on Safety by Mr. Thomas Raghavan, Fmr HSSE Head-Compliance, L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering Ltd. Additionally, key sessions included 5 Top Safety Risks in Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing/Sustainability as a Key Component of OSH by Mr. K. Durga Prasad, DGM & Lead ISO Auditor-HSE, Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Ltd; Role of an audit and its significance in enforcing safety by Mr. Kalyan Raman Ramamurthy, Director, Gautham Associates; The Role of Technology: Transformation of the Industrial workplace through Connected Safety by Mr. Shreesh Nadgouda, Region Sales Manager- India and South Asia, Blackline Safety. The panel discussion on How an Underfunded HSE Function will Impact Occupational Health and Safety of Workforce moderated by Mr. Kalyan Raman Ramamurthy, Director, Gautham Associates, further enriched the discourse.
Day 2 of OSH South India 2024 will feature a series of insightful workshops and sessions, including “Workshop on Holistic approach working at height” by Mr. Jason Woods, Regional Manager, Middle East & South Asia, IPAF (International Powered Access Federation); “Best Practices in Ergonomics at Hybrid Workplaces” by Dr. Ravi Kumar T., Occupational Health Physician, Denso Kirloskar Industries; “Ergonomics and Workplaces: Preventing Neuromusculoskeletal disorders at Redesigned Workspaces” by Dr. Deepak Sharan, Chairperson, Scientific Committee on Musculoskeletal Disorders, International Commission on Occupational Health (icohweb.org) & President, International Myopain Society. Other notable sessions include “The Role of Historic Data for Futuristic Use: History & Significance of First Aid in Industry” by Mr. Rashmin Shah, Director, Add-On Safety & Surgicals; “Five Steps to Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment” by Mr. M Gireesan Sr. Manager-HSE, Bengaluru International Airport Ltd will be conducted. The sessions “Incident /Injury Free workplace with Behaviour Based Safety” by Mr. G. Sivaramakrishna Rao, Fmr General Manager-HSE, Afcons Infrastructure Ltd & BBS Trainer and the panel discussion on “Digital Transformation in Occupational Health and Safety: Opportunities and Challenges” moderated by Mr. Rahul Aren, HSE Manager and Trainer, 3S Life Safe Akademie., will also take place.
Bengaluru, known as the ‘Silicon Valley of India,’ is the ideal location for OSH South India 2024 due to its status as a major hub for high-technology and heavy manufacturing industries. The city attracts large multinational corporations and is home to top-tier engineering and research institutions. Bengaluru’s diverse industrial landscape, which includes electronics, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and more, underlines the importance of workplace safety. Hosting OSH South India here highlights the city’s role in technological advancement and its commitment to fostering safe and progressive work environments.
As OSH South India 2024 progresses, it continues to serve as a pivotal platform for industry professionals to exchange knowledge, explore innovative solutions, and reinforce the commitment to creating safer workplaces. The event exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and progress, driving the future of occupational safety and health in India and beyond.
