SHATRUGHNA KUSHWAHA

(Chairman & Managing Director)

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) more than 125 million workers are victims of occupational accidents and disease in a year and where out of these approximately 220,000 workers die and about 10 million are seriously disabled. Due to poor reporting and coverage systems in many countries, still the possible cause for accidents and the preventive method is not discovered.It is disheartening fact that India is one among the country where safety is given less importance. In our day to day activities we very often use the term 'risk'. Do we know the real meaning of the term risk? Why are we using the word 'risk' in each and every harmful situation? Here comes a word 'safety' as anything from which you are free out of injury, danger or damage to property or personnel is safety. The word 'safety' is not just to be felt as a discoursing word, but it is which encloses a complete life. Safety starts inside the home, eating the right food, walking in road, travelling, swimming, working in industries/factories and many more. In our every action safety should be given importance.It starts with simple common sense to be alert always, adhere safety regulations and follow the individual roles and responsibilities. Safety has its needs everywhere which starts from kindergarten, schools and colleges to heavy industries. Are we really aware of what should be done in case of emergency or we terrified of that situation? Even today, thousands of school children lose their life because of the hazards like collapse of building, window or a balcony, stairs, fire, food poisoning etc. The level of safety extends and increased based on the hazard in workplace or environment is increased. For many industries safety is the boon to safe guard an individual, property, possessions from various type of hazards which could be realized or concealed. There are various type of industries like Construction, Oil & Gas, Chemical, Mining, Electrical, Manufacturing, Aeronautical, Power, Pharmaceuticals, Retail, Food manufacturing & processing industries and so on which has more chance of accidents like slips, trips, falls, amputation, crushing, fire & explosion, electrocution, asphyxiation and finally fatality. There are a lot of acts which have also been framed for the worker's welfare like Indian Factories Act 1948, International Labour Organization (ILO) and also an act 1974 under the Health and Safety at Work which emphasize on the health and safety. Every industry has its own norms in safety, for example it is a need for food manufacturers and processors to adapt the codex standards which were integrated in to the domestic food laws by the Directorate General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. As the national standards body, the Bureau of Indian Standards has adopted Codex, HACCP and food hygiene standards. Along with the general safety needs, industry specific needs are also very important. Employers should ensure that employees are given knowledge on the basic safety awareness or information about health and safety, safe working environment, emergency arrangements and first aid etc., Even if the regulations are enforced it is in individual behaviour to be safe and accountable for life theirs and others in the society. We witness many road accidents, fire accidents and other deadly industrial accidents like Bhopal disasters mainly due to the negligence of human behaviour. AIFS has taken a major defending action providing safety knowledge and awareness among people.It starts with offering safety courses for HSE professionals, individuals and organizations pertaining to their needs and now in to consulting and auditing service to bring in standards for safety in life. Our guidance and awareness for safety is an initiative towards the huge vision of creating safe India. Our path to contribute safety is a never tired mission based on our motto "we contribute to safety".