The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data reveals that almost 40% of workplace fatalities are caused by electrical issues, a matter of grave concern. Even more troubling, electrical accidents account for nearly 13 electrocution fatalities daily, the highest in any country in the world.
Recognizing this, Polycab, India's largest manufacturer of wires and cables, has launched Infra Safety: Powering India's Electrical Future, a series of discussions to address the urgent need for electrical safety in the country. Elaborating on the same, Harish Bhardwaj, National Head, Industry Vertical, Polycab, said, "Electrical accidents claim more than 5,000 lives annually. And productivity losses from disruptive power can pull down revenues by 5-10%. This requires collaboration between the government, industry leaders, safety experts, and companies, and is essential to drive change and create a culture of safety in the country's workforce.
Prioritizing Electrical Safety
"As India becomes more competitive, it is essential to instil a safety culture in manufacturing to ensure we grow safely," added Srivats Ram, Managing Director of Wheels India and Chairman of CII, Tamil Nadu.
Nikhil Jaisinghani, Executive Director, Polycab, informed, "The majority of the deaths in a fire accident take place because of smoke inhalation. We have created a green wire, mostly for residential applications, that gives out white smoke (in layman terms), so you can see and move around. Today, it has become the largest selling premium product in the country."
Chettinad Cement's RA Krishnakumar highlighted, "Earlier, we had a reactive approach to safety, but we have become more proactive today." Gopa Kumar S., President of the National Federation of Engineers for Electrical Safety, added, "When it comes to exports, a strong audit team often evaluates manufacturing facilities to ensure compliance with international requirements." While acknowledging this trend, R. Balakrishnan, VP & Head of MEP Design at L&T, pointed out, "The speed at which we adopt and practice safety measures will determine our global standing."
From Reactive to Proactive
According to Venkatesu C, Chairman of Electrical Safety at FSAI, "Integrity tests of wires, cables, and accessories form the groundwork, ensuring that safety begins from the smallest components and is built upward." Krishnamurthy Rathinavel, Head of Manufacturing at FLSmidth Cement, agreed, "We share information in the local language with all workers through weekly meetings with blue-collar workers and safety community meetings every month." R. Gobinath from Optimal MEP Consultants added, "While codes exist, adapting them for clients ensures a better understanding and avoids issues like recurring lithium accidents."
A. Thanapal, 61 Fire E, MIFire E (UK), Assistant District Officer, Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Service, shared, "Electrical safety is nothing but applying the 3 Es - Engineering, Education, and Enforcement." A Polycab spokesperson concluded by saying, "India needs to bring in a safety culture, which is different from having procedures, processes, and enforcement."
