Leveraging technology for workplace safety

The Aditya Birla Group is setting new benchmarks in occupational safety and health by leveraging modern technology to improve workplace safety

A robust safety culture is critical to sustainable business operations. Safety culture complements productivity and is no more considered an impediment to operations. As the leading Indian conglomerate for sustainable business practices, the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) has institutionalised a robust Sustainable Business Framework (ABG SBF) to accelerate sustainable business practices.

‘ESGbility’. ‘Accelerating ESGbility, Strengthening Sustainability’, the Group’s ESG performance Report for FY 2021, details the measures taken to enhance ESG quotient and the achievements of the Group.

However, a safety culture requires continuous improvement which highlights the importance of ‘World Day for Safety and Health at Work’ commemorated on April 28 every year. The day underscores the need to continuously build a strong safety and health culture and also create awareness about it.

Following its success in embedding a robust workplace safety culture, ABG is leveraging technology to enhance its performance and efficiency. The Group has been quick to adopt new tools and gadgets to improve workplace safety.

Digital tools to ensure workplace safety

Digital technology is being harnessed to reduce injuries and fatalities, improve employee health and well-being, and enhance productivity. The new tools based on artificial intelligence, machine learning and drone technology, also facilitate valuable data collection and lead to faster reaction times.

• VEDA (Video Enabled Decisions and Alerts), a proprietary video analytics platform, developed by the Group Data and Analytics Cell has augmented the safety effort at 45+ plants across cement, metals and textiles businesses.
  
  
  
  It incorporates a host of AI-enabled features on PPE (personal protective equipment) detection, quality inspection, vehicle monitoring and facial recognition for authorisation, etc. The platform is also being extended to the retail sector. NASSCOM has listed VEDA in its ‘Top 50 AI Game Changers’ compendium for 2021.
• The chemicals business has developed a VR (virtual reality) module for training people on ‘Work at Height Safety’. The immersive training has been developed in association with L&T Nxt, a pioneer in VR-based solutions. The content, available in multiple languages, is aligned with ABG’s safety standards.
• Hindalco has devised ‘Confined Spaces Entry’ — a portable solution that maintains optimal working conditions inside a closed space during and before work commencement. It involves a portable server-based system connected to a host of communication devices and sensors for dynamic monitoring of gases, humidity and temperature, preventing unauthorised entry, and communication during rescue operations.

A safe workplace is sound business and this is proven by ABG’s consistent and continual efforts to build sustainable businesses with sustained focus on ensuring occupational safety and health of its employees.

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