Why Health, Safety & Welfare ? According to Dr.

Parandikar, Labour Welfare work is Work for improving the health, safety and general well being and the industrial efficiency of the worker beyond the minimum standard laid down by labor legislation. Health, safety and welfare in a working environment is very important because of moral, legal and financial reasons. Moral reasons can be attributed to protecting the health and welfare of the employees. Legal reasons are the laws which are implemented to ensure employee safety. The Safety, Health and Welfare At Work Act 2005 is one such act implemented to ensure safety of the employees. The Safety, Health and Welfare At Work Act 2005 takes a preventive approach to reducing accidents and ill health at work. The 2005 act introduces some significant changes in relation to risk assessments and safety statements, where there are less than three employees. It also deals with the use of intoxicants, employees medical fitness for work, penalties upon conviction and the introduction of on the spot fines. Implementing these safety and welfare measures can be very advantageous to increase the profit and goodwill of the company. In case these safety measures are not implemented and an accident occurs due to negligence on the part of the employer, it will be a black mark on the name of the company for the years to come. In todays competitive market such an incident can often result in the company running out of business.

SD CHEMIE INDIA. LTD SD Chemie India. Ltd is a catalyst manufacturing concern registered in 1969. They have two manufacturing units one at Edayar, Cochin and the other in Vadodara, Gujarat. The manufacturing unit at Edayar started its operation in 1970 and the unit at Vadodara started its operation in 1978. The Company has also got two marketing offices one in Delhi and the other in Mumbai. SD Chemie India. Ltd Cater to the syngas catalyst requirements of the fertilizer manufacturing companies in India. Sud Chemie India. Ltd produces catalysts for the petrochemicals and refineries in the country. They also produce MIDREX catalyst for the Sponge Iron Plants. At present they have started catering to the needs of the automobile market by supplying them with catalytic converters. SD Chemie India. Ltd is guided by the mission and vision set by their parent company in Germany SD Chemie AG. They mainly focus on the quality of goods and services. The manufacturing concerns at Edayar and Vadodara are both accredited with ISO 9001:200 and ISO 14001 certifications. The company also gives great importance to the safety and protection of the environment as well.

Health & Safety Measures Implemented in SD Chemie India.Ltd SD Chemie India.Ltd has implemented many health and safety measures in their company to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for their employees. These include i. Eye wash and Shower: Eyewash and shower are made available in the industry in case of emergency. Eyewash is made available in 11 locations and showers in 10 locations. ii. PPEs Made Compulsory: The company has made the usage of Personal Protection Equipments (PPE) compulsory to all workers. PPEs include Safety Shoes, Goggles, Face Shield, Chemical Suit, Lab Aprons, Gloves (Leather, Cotton, Rubber), Masks and Safety Belts iii. Fire Extinguishers & Fire Hydrants: Fire extinguishersand fire hyrdrants are located in 118 and 12 locations in the company respectively. Fire hydrants include ABC and CO2 hydrants which are refilled every 3 months and demostrations are also conducted for the workers on how to use them. iv. Color Coded Pipelines: All the pipelines employed in the industry are made of stainless steel. Along with this these pipelines are also color coded to ensure a higher level of safety. Pipelines which carry H2SO4 are doubly supported. v. Mock Drills: Mock drills are conducted in the company twice every year.

vi.

pH Monitoring: pH of the water used in the manufacturing process is continuously monitored. Water from the Delay tank is tested every 1 hour, the pH level needs to be maintained between 6 to 9, then only the water is released into the Periyar river.

vii.

Breath Analyzer: Breath analyzers are employed at the main gates of the company. Every employee has to undergo the test if the officer in charge thinks it to be necessary. This is to ensure safety of the other workers in the company.

viii.

Ammonia Detector: Ammonia detectors are installed in the company which signals the leakage of ammonia if any instantly. The detector rings and alarm if the ammonia level increases above the statutory level. Oxygen cylinder with masks are also provided for the employees, who finds difficulty in breathing after inhalation of Ammonia or any other similar gases.

ix.

Pressure Indicators: Pipelines and other pressure handling devices are fitted with pressure indicators so as to ensure safety of the employees working with them.

x.

Hygienic Working Environment: SD Chemie India.Ltd maintains a very neat and hygienic working environment for all its employees. They also have many gardens (butterfly garden, bamboo garden etc) which further increases the healthy nature of the working environment.

xi.

First Aid Training: More than 70% of the workforce is provided training in first aid. This helps a worker to get the required first aid as and when needed.

xii.

Instructions in Malayalam: Most of the instructions in the company regarding safety or operation of the machinery are displyed in Malayalam, the native language. This helps even the local and contract workers to understand them properly.

xiii.

Presence of National Safety Council: SD Chemie India.Ltd has an active presence of the National Safety Council (NSC). NSC is an autonomous body that serves as a high quality resource centre for all information pertaining to safety, health and environment.

xiv.

Drinking Water: The water filters installed in various locations in the company ensures availability of safe drinking water to all employees.

xv.

Ventilation & Sunlight: All confined working spaces within the company are provided with adequate ventilation and sunlight.

xvi.

Assembly Points: There are 3 assembly points within the company premises where employees are to gather in case the alarm goes off.

xvii.

Accident Boards: Accident boards are placed in the company where recent accidents are mentioned. Usually these notifications are displyed in malayalam. This will make the other employees aware of the danger and will further help them avoid similar accidents in future.

xviii.

Planting Trees: As a step towards creating a healthier environment, every time a new employer joins the company a new tree is planted within the premises.

Recently the company have modofied the policy and started planting another tree whenever a employee retires from the company also. xix. Safety Week: SD Chemie India.Ltd observes the safety week along with other employee engagement plans. Welfare Measures Implemented in SD Chemie India.Ltd i. Employee State Insurance (ESI): All workers having a salary above 15,000/- is included in the ESI scheme of SD Chemie India.Ltd. At present the company is trying to raise the limit to 25,000/- . ii. Superannuation Benefits: Superannuation benefits are offered to those employees who retires from the company at an age of 58, which is the prescribed age for retirement. This scheme is beneficial to the family members of the employee as well. iii. Canteen: Canteen facility is provided to the employees of the company, where food is provided to them at a subsidized rate. iv. Mediclaim: All employees of the company are insured under this medical claim. Under this scheme the employees of the company can take treatment in hospitals and the bills will be reimbursed by the company. v. Personal Accident Claim: Employees covered under the personal accident claims, will be given full reimbursement of the amount in case of accidents occuring inside the company.
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vi.

Interest Subsidy On Loan: This programme is exclusivly for the executives and they will be given interest subsidy on Car and housing loan.

vii.

Reimbursement Of Academic Fees: If an employee of the company wishes to pursue higher studies the company will provide reimbursement of a percentage of the academic fees. Percentage of academic fees reimbursed also depends on the qualification of the employee.

viii.

Employee Engagement Plans: The company also plans a number of employee engagement activities which includes Safety Week, Environment Week, Quality Day, Family Tour, Sports & Arts Day and Co-operative Society

ix.

Medical Check-Up: All employees are provided with a medical check up every 6 months. The employees are also given a pre-employment medical check up before they join with the company. The health history of the employee is also maintained by the company.

x.

Overtime Allowance: Overtime allowance is paid only for workers and they are paid double the wages.

xi.

Tie-Up With Hospitals: SD Chemie India.Ltd has a tie-up with GBHC and some of the major hospitals around cochin. At GBHC the consultation is free of cost for the employees. The other hospitals where the employees can get free emergency medical services are Lakeshore,Amrutha and Medical Trust.

Awards & Recognitions Given To The Employees SD Chemie India.Ltd gives away many awards and recognitions to their employees, this includes: Employee Of The Year Best Employee Award Quaterly Reward Scheme Recognizing Higher Qualification Long Service Award

Laws Relating To Health, Safety & Welfare Of Workers The Factories Act, 1948 The Objective of the Act is : The object of the Factories Act of 1948 is a) To improve health, welfare and safety of the workmen. b) To regulate by imposing restriction as to hours of work including rest and provisions for availing of leave. c) To make stringent provisions as regards employment of women and young persons and duration of their work. Health: Cleanliness Artificial Humidification Lightening Latrines and urinals Disposal of wastes Dust and fumes Overcrowding Drinking water Spittoons Safety: Fencing of machinery Casing of new machines Hoists and lifts Excessive weights
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 Precautions against dangerous fumes Precautions in case of fire Safety of buildings & machinery Work on machinery in motion Protection of eyes Self acting machinery Pressure plant Floors, stairs and means of access Explosives of inflammable gas Maintenance of buildings Welfare: Washing facilities First aid appliances Rest rooms and shelters Facilities for storing and drying clothing Facilities for sitting Canteens Creches

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Conclusion: According to Anne M. Mulcahy Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person - not just an employee - are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Satisfied employees mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability. Sd Chemie India.Ltd has employed a very safe and healthy working environment for their workers. The employees working here are very satisfied with the allowances and other welfare programmes conducted for them by the company.

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