BALCO marks 2 years of its safety culture transformation program, Suraksha Sankalp
Balconagar. Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s leading aluminium producer and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, celebrated the successful completion of two years of its flagship safety culture transformation program, ‘Suraksha Sankalp.’ Engaging employees and business across the organization, Suraksha Sankalp has been a resounding success in advocating and implementing stringent safety measures within the plant premises.
Initiated in December 2021, BALCO’s Suraksha Sankalp program aims at nurturing a safety culture rooted in coaching, counseling, monitoring, and providing immediate feedback. The comprehensive training sessions, held on the first day of every month, have played a pivotal role in inculcating a safety-first mindset among employees, to bring about a constructive transformation around the workplace The 25thconsecutive training saw participation from over 1500 employees and business partners, marking the successful completion of two remarkable years of commitment to safety under this initiative.
The Suraksha Sankalp program covers a diverse range of themes designed to bolster the safety quotient in all areas of its operations. The company not only educates individuals on safety measures but also recognizes and rewardsthose who have shown unwavering commitment to championing safety awareness within their respective departments, motivating others to prioritize safety in the workplace.
Talking about Suraksha Sankalp, Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director, BALCO said, “At BALCO, the well-being of our people stands as an unwavering cornerstone of our organizational commitment. Suraksha Sankalp has played a pivotal role in nurturing a resilient safety culture that places the utmost priority on the health and safety of our workforce. This milestone attests to our united commitment to fostering a secure and nurturing working environment. Going forward, we remain steadfast in our dedication to upholding the highest safety standards in all facets of our operations and beyond.”
In addition,BALCO also organizedsafety awareness workshopsat its coal mines in the Chotia region during the observance of Annual Coal Mines Safety Fortnight 2023. These engaging and informative workshops included awareness activities on a wide range of crucial safety protocols and practices for people working at the mines, where over 200 participants pledged to build a robust safety culture at their work stations.
BALCO actively sensitizes employees, their families, and local communities through several safety training workshops, including defensive driving courses, fire safety sessions, road safety awareness programs, and the establishment of retro-reflective safety signboards. BALCO also observes National Road Safety Month every year by organizing a series of safety-focused programs to raise awareness among its employees and community members.
To build a robust safety culture, the company incorporates several cutting-edge technologies, such as:
• T-Pulse Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) Monitoring System for ensuring the fulfillment of crucial safety protocols, through a network of cameras using the most comprehensive AI models, tracking ongoing activity inside the plant in real time.
• Augmented and Virtual Reality Training Centre, Video Analytics, Sustainability Mobile App, E-learning courses, and Digitalization of Workforce Connectivity to enhance leading indicators in safety practices.
• Centralized Security Operations Centre (CSOC) leverages digital intelligence and data insights for better decision-making in security, traffic & road safety, and supply chain security functions.
• Real-time data and trend monitoring, facilitating end-to-end digital dashboards through projects like the Hot Spot Detection System at the coal yard, using thermal inspection ensures strict safety.
• LED Logo projectors designed to illuminate safety signs on floors, ensuring clear and prominent display of safety messages in low-light conditions, especially in areas with dust accumulation and high vehicular traffic.
• Integration of cutting-edge AI technology – Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS)– in internal vehicular operationsto elevate road safety amid the driving conditions within the plant.
A testament to its safety-first culture, BALCO has received several accolades, including the Global Road Safety Award 2023 in the ‘Gold Category’ from The Energy and Environment Foundation. This recognition underscores BALCO’s relentless pursuit of safety excellence, reinforced by regular safety training sessions and awareness programs. Additionally, the company achieved the status of ‘Platinum Winner’ at the 5th CII National Safety Practices Competition for its ‘Suraksha Sankalp Kutumbh’ project on safety digitalization.
Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) is India’s iconic aluminium producer. It is owned 51% by Vedanta Limited and 49% by the Government of India and. BALCO is part of Vedanta’s Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, which is India’s largest manufacturer of aluminium. BALCO operates a 0.57 million tonne per annum aluminium smelter in Korba, Chhattisgarh. It is also a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. With its world-class smelter and power plants, the company fulfills its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
