SAFETY REDEFINED Featuring projects being built to Speed & Scale - lntecc
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Environment Health Safety
EHS journal of L&T Construction
Volume - 8, Issue - 2 July - December 2018
SAFETY
REDEFINED
Featuring projects being built to Speed & Scale
Foreword
Contents
5 B&F IC scales new
heights in EHS
and location, several of them in highly Hence, it is of paramount importance to The activities that we perform at Smart Such variety of activities and risks has management!
populated cities and sensitive areas, etc. adopt digital and practice it meticulously. World & communication may seem at forced us to develop systems, which can
Further, we are constantly embarking first low risk in nature but at their core adapt and mould according to our ever-
Six projects win the
into new areas and geographies across Sustainable Cities & Communities is they are always the same. We work on changing needs. In EHS at SW&C, we prestigious ‘Sword of
the 11th goal in the United Nations
the workspace and the eco system.
Sustainable Development Goals. It
the busiest roads and highways of mega have committed ourselves to introduce Honour’ award
cities while, at the same time, execute solutions that are digital and sustainable.
Any incident besides affecting the assumes utmost importance when we projects in the remotest locations of
workmen, lost man hours, consequential look at the numbers. More than half of To uphold the above principles, and
8
the country. Our activities involve
delays & costs directly affect the image the world’s population presently live in installation of 6 m tall poles to 30 m continually improve on them, we To build the largest, you
of an organisation and it is extremely urban areas. By 2050, that figure will communication towers. We integrate have developed an innovative digital have to be the best!
R. Srinivasan important that each one of us gives have risen to 6.5 billion people – two- world-class data centres and install platform called ‘SafeArmZ’, which has Project Motera Stadium
EVP & Head - Smart World & utmost importance wherever be our thirds of all humanity. access ports in Gram Panchayats & not only enhanced the level of EHS
Communication BU work space to achieve zero incident. Block offices. implementation but has also improved
In India, under the Smart Cities
What also need to be addressed
currently, and in the days to come, are Mission by the Government of India,
the objective is to promote cities that
Often when working in public spaces,
productivity across sites. The app not
only makes it easy for a site engineer to 12 Rising to meet some
‘tall’ safety standards
environment and health. we inevitably cause inconvenience to meet the compliances but it also provides
At their most basic level, provide core infrastructure and give the public. We liaise with the municipal a window to the top management to Project ICC Towers
It is in these frameworks that a decent quality of life to its citizens, a
sustainability and safety digitalisation becomes an important tool clean and sustainable environment and
corporations, traffic police and other monitor the status of risks and hazards
local authorities to plan our activities at site. The site engineer has to login to
are really about the
same thing: conserving
to achieve our goal of zero incident and
safe environment. Amongst the main
application of ‘Smart’ Solutions using
digital interventions. The focus is on
to minimize risks, which means that the
majority of activities have to be done
the app only once at beginning of the
activity, to view the risks and hazards,
16 The trick is to constantly
reinvent and refresh
advantages, three things stand out. sustainable and inclusive development at night. This introduces additional and fill pre-requisite checklists and
resources. In the case 1. With our workforce and resources,
and the idea is to look at compact areas, risks to execution but, at the same time, permits based on an algorithm. your safety strategies!
create a replicable model that will act
of sustainability, the constantly expanding it is extremely like a lighthouse to other aspiring cities.
alleviates most of the public problems.
One of the key aspects of EHS is
Accordingly, we have separately
resources typically important to bring the new entrants
thought of are
and trainees to the level of safety being
practiced at the company level and meet
Sustainable development
be achieved without significantly
cannot
designed SOPs for working at nights and
heights.
awareness. We need to continuously
train our workmen and staff about the 18 A ‘Safe Victory’
mattered the most!
hazards and risks that are present at
environmental, material, L&T benchmarks and digitalization
that provide the answer through
transforming the way we build and
manage our urban spaces. That is what
Another challenge is to manage the site. Site engineers must take the lead Lucknow Metro Rail Phase II
incoming traffic and speeding vehicles. to deliver Pep Talks to the workmen
energy, etc. Whereas, in standardisation of processes. we do at Smart World & Communication We prepare comprehensive traffic assisted by interactive and informative
the case of safety, the 2. Near misses and / or potential hazard
business. We make these urban spaces,
safer, smart, citizen friendly, eco-friendly
management plans including diversions,
placement of warning boards, barricades
articles available on the app.
22 Setting EHS
benchmarks in UAE
resources are human. cases at any site and learnings thereof and data driven by implementing a and deployment of traffic marshals. We assess that going forward the impact
can be transmitted to all the sites slew of smart solutions including Smart of this app will be tremendous on safety LSAW Pipe Mill project
instantly so that the entire operation is Meters, Intelligent Traffic Management Working in cities also means that we in construction and have therefore
Dear L&tites, in sync. Systems, Video Surveillance, analytics, have to deal with endless underground secured its copyright & Trademark. This
It is nice for an opportunity to share a
few thoughts on EHS and especially
3. With the advent of live monitoring,
etc.to mention but a few. networks of gas, water, sewage and
communication and power lines. This is
app has been highly appreciated and
has been shortlisted for the prestigious
28 Pro-activeness and
prevention are always
emergency responses and expert advice At their most basic level, sustainability
about some of the initiatives we have where we combine our liaison prowess Aegis Graham Bell awards.
taken at Smart World.
as and when required, quick turnaround and safety are really about the same with technology, carry out GPR surveys better than cure.
is possible. thing: conserving resources. In the case Apart from above, we have many Upper Indrāvati Lift Canal
along with representatives from utility
Safety is an integral part of any of sustainability, the resources typically service departments to carefully locate online modules that have proved project
In the days to come, Artificial Intelligence
organisation and in projects, it assumes thought of are environmental, material, these utilities and subsequently plan their worth over time that include
(AI) is going to provide additional
astronomical importance due to constant energy, etc. Whereas, in the case of our activity with minimum disturbance Online Observation Modules in
ammunition for us to achieve our goal
uncertainties, complexity of the project safety, the resources are human. to them. which an EHS In-Charge can log
of zero incident.
2 HELMET HELMET 3
day-to-day observations of the site
and swift resolution is ensured by
compliance. We also use an Online
B&F IC scales new heights in EHS management!
Audit Module, by which we have Top Management is continuously Six projects win the prestigious ‘Sword of Honour’ award
eliminated the use of paper in the entire involved in the review of EHS
audit process.
performance at sites with timely
Internationally, an organization’s EHS
performance is monitored through
reviews and insights, setting an
frequency, severity and fatality rates, example. At sites, Project Managers
however these are the end results
of man hours worked through that
have to take up the responsibility
particular time period. Certain factors to model themselves as “Safety
like expansion of projects / businesses,
floating manpower, geological
Leaders.”
conditions, cultural and behavioural
background of employees and workmen,
cosmos culture, technology, engineering
are a few parameters that play major from major incidents while near- very proud to say that we are poised to
roles in sustaining EHS performance. misses are reported from across the achieve that remarkable feat soon.
construction industry.
We have already set forward the BU It is my pleasure to share that we have
EHS Objectives for the year 2018-19 All the aforementioned EHS systems been working incident free for more
comprising 9 EHS Objectives supported are continuously audited by various than three years from the inception of
by 33 Programs linked to 5 EHS KPIs. agencies who have appreciated and SW&C BU, however, our commitment
As a proactive action, we are in the praised their effectiveness in making towards the vision of ZERO HARM
process of digitizing and quantifying the workplaces safer. We achieved ISO will continue through prevention
above leading indicators through our 5 14001:2015 & OHSAS 18001:2008 of ‘Personal Injuries, Occupational
EHS KPIs System for better root cause certifications in 2017, within just Diseases and Environment Damages.’
analysis. This will revamp the entire EHS one year of existence. In a very short Mukesh Dahiya, PM Sukanta Majumdar, PM S Somasundaram, PM
Performance measurement process, duration, SW&C BU has won 3 RoSPA As we talk of various safety measures it DLF Cyber Park Project Godrej Two Project Piramal Aranya Project
making it integral to the overall Project Gold Awards for the Mumbai City is also necessary to look at IT security
Management Process. Surveillance, Nagpur Smart City & to digitally connect the complete eco
Hyderabad Safe & Smart City projects. system. While this is being carried out at
Trainings are an important part of our the company level, in SW&C it becomes
In addition, the BU has also won OSHAI
B
day-to-day implementation of safety even more important when we connect
OH&S Gold Awards, which is a testament &F IC’s programme to raise the “It has been a systematic progression,”
at sites. Inputs for training are taken
from Unsafe Acts/Unsafe Behaviours/
of the effectiveness of the systems that all the sensitive devices and software. We
have a dedicated cyber security expert
WINNERS ALL! bar in EHS management initiated shares MK. “In 2016, we started our
we have developed at SW&C BU. in 2016 rose to new heights with journey of ‘Five Star Audit’ by British
Unsafe Conditions and logged in the who looks at complete compliance of yy DLF Cyber Park Project, Gurgaon : as many as six projects bagging British Safety Council in two of our projects,
Observation and Audit Modules. We run The top management is continuously all our offerings. In one of the projects CBA SBG Safety Council’s ‘Sword of Honour’ Shell and Omkar 1973, both of which
our flagship ‘Safe Execution Engineers’ involved in reviewing EHS performance we are even creating a separate SOC awards. “We actually had 12 projects in won the ‘Sword of Honour’. The
trainings at all the sites with a target at sites with timely reviews and yy ITC MXD Project : CBA SBG
(Security Operations Centre). the race,” enthuses M Kamarajan (MK) next year, we expanded our focus
to cover all the front line site engineers insights, setting an example. At sites, yy Godrej Two Project, Mumbai : Head – EHS, B&F IC, elaborating on the to all the projects of three clusters
& construction managers. We are also Project Managers have to take up the Ultimately, it is a commitment that every CBA SBG achievement. “6 projects received 5 Star and bagged the award for all of
conducting Contractor Workmen responsibility to model themselves as L&T-ite needs to make to achieve an
yy Piramal Aranya Project : RBF SBG ratings that qualified for the ‘Sword them. This year, we went further by
Training Programs, focussing mainly on ‘Safety Leaders’ by demonstrating safe incident free workspace across projects.
of Honour’ award (clocking an audit including government projects and
behaviours and skills of workmen. behaviour and strive to achieve EHS That way, it becomes every one’s job. yy Motera Cricket Stadium Project :
CBA SBG score of more than 92%)”. What was we are delighted that two of them,
objectives as key project deliverables. even more heartening was that 6 other the Motera and APTIDCO projects,
Further down the line, awareness is
yy APTIDCO Projects : RBF SBG projects received 4 Star ratings, missing have won!”
created among the employees and We recently celebrated L&T Safety
workmen by circulating EHS Today the magic number of 92% by a whisker!
day, the motto for this year is to ‘Use
covering a unique EHS topic every day. Digitalization to enhance Safety
EHS alerts share key lessons learned Performance.’ We, at SW&C BU, are
4 HELMET HELMET 5
Safety can succeed only “we first studied our existing level
of competencies and capabilities,
of their roles and responsibilities.”
Apart from brainstorming sessions
EHS performance seamlessly. The
mobile app monitors, registers,
halls in addition to recreation centres,
volleyball courts and first aid centres,”
if driven from the top compliances, identified the gaps and with individual departments, effectively manages and reports EHS shares Vasudev, “and we ensured
addressed then through a systematic “We reviewed the mock audits conducted by performance and the data generated maintenance of good health and
“Safety can be top priority only if it is 4-stage process – Awareness, Bridging previous audit P Nagarajan, EHS Head (Operations) provides significant insights about hygiene standards.”
driven from the top,” choruses Subrata & Reinforcing, Simulation & Cultural
reports, made the gap strengths and weaknesses and helps us
helped all the sites to face the BSC
Dutta, Project Director, Motera Cricket analysis and arrived shift focus appropriately.” At Motera,
Transformation.” audit confidently.
Stadium project and Mukesh Kumar at requirement Santhosh developed height safety
v/s operational
Dahiya, Project Manager, DLF Cyber Park
project. “Leadership and commitment
Dotting the ‘I’s and Madhav Kumar implementation.” Riding the digital wave simulation using BIM 360 modelling.
“Globally, 61 projects/
Cluster EHS Manager
are critical for the development of a crossing the ‘T’s True to the thrust of the organization, Health is a vital aspect workplaces have
positive safety culture,” adds Dahiya, the ITC MXD team brought won the ‘Sword of
“and every individual on the project Often, the triumph of safety is being well digitalization to play in the EHS arena of safety Honour’ and we are
has to commit to these principles organized and process-oriented. For and as Das shares, with significant
concept with the preparation of a chart “Health and wellbeing are the real the only construction
irrespective of rank or position.” Mahajan Govind Vasudev, EHS Manager on manual load handling while greater gains. “We were able to track not
measures for construction safety M Kamarajan organization in India
of the Godrej Two project, the auditor’s mechanization reduced the load on only individual performances but
development,” says Subramanian, Head-EHS (B&F IC)
amongst the winning
His EHS manager, Kannan description of “A well maintained site workmen. Awareness sessions were also measure the project’s overall
“new standards such as management
Subramanian, at the DLF project with no gap in documentation” was conducted on the safe handling of lot!”
and control of psychosocial hazards,
explains how they put concept reward enough for his meticulous hazardous substances that has proved workstation ergonomics, manual
into practice. “Every department efforts. “We had looked at all aspects of extremely useful. While at Motera, risk handling, control of noise, control
committed themselves to this: like EHS management,” he says, “be it the assessment with CCP (critical control of vibration, health surveillance
“We were able to track
the formwork department exhibited way visitors were inducted at the gate, point) is available for all construction monitoring, health and absenteeism
not only individual At Motera, a well-equipped medical
their technical and design features by emergency response and planning, activities, facilities, substances and performances but also monitoring are important criteria
room keeps the site healthy while a
implementing SOPs in major areas like creating well-defined access and egress equipment with communication measure the project’s that need constant attention.” In fact,
well-appointed induction room replete
table form handling and lifting. The points at site, prominent display of evidence. overall EHS performance for the first time in the company,
with a safety park and an emergency
task force for scaffolding developed awareness messages, the layout of seamlessly. The the DLF Cyber City site conducted
During peak periods at the ITC site, control room keeps Santhosh and
the necessary skills to ensure 100% the office lobby that included a full Manas Ranjan Das
mobile app monitors, a study and survey on vibration at
the project had 1,800+ workmen with EHS Manager - IRC his team well prepared to handle
compliance while the P&M department view of the site. We even purchased MXD Project registers, effectively construction works, the impact of
more than half of them unskilled. emergencies.
established safe operations in handling alcohol meters and commenced testing manages and reports modern vibration-less equipment and
critical machineries and equipment. “Our primary task,” explains Das, EHS performance and exposure time of works on the health
drivers and helpers,” he adds with a For MK and his extended team there
Even stores demonstrated safety by “was to induct the screened workmen the data generated of workmen. Special attention was
smile. One of the interesting findings, is sufficient cause to be proud of their
strictly implementing 5S, integrated and sensitize them to adhere to strict provides significant given to the workmen habitat at the
as pointed out by the auditor, is the achievement. “Globally, 61 projects/
best practices and safety standards in safety standards. The EHS team has insights about strengths Godrej Two project too with display of
visible demonstration of Sukanta workplaces have won the ‘Sword
procurement from all the vendors and inducted over 14,000 workmen till and weaknesses and ‘Do’s & Don’ts’, incident alerts through
Majumdar, Project Manager of Godrej of Honour’ and we are the only
in storage management.” date through structurally developed helps us shift focus audio visuals on TV screens at the
Two Project, of a signed and well construction organization in India
training programmes.” appropriately.” dining halls, emergency escape plans
published declaration of workmen’s amongst the winning lot!” Somehow,
At the ITC MXD Project, which was
right to remove themselves from unsafe Learning from experience is equally and safety parks. “We had separate that doesn’t surprise us!
nominated for the second consecutive
conditions in the workplace! important and that is what has held kitchens, dish washing areas, dining
year for the BSC 5-Star Audit, Project
Head, Krishnendu Chakraborty set his Cluster EHS Manager, G Madhava
Traffic management was key for
team a target score of 93.13%. “Nothing Kumar (GMK) of the APTIDCO Projects
Santhosh S Bore, the EHS Manager
short was acceptable,” he declares and in good stead. “We reviewed the
at the huge Motera Cricket Stadium
is happy that his team has delivered previous audit reports, made the gap
site. “We have segregated pathways for
handsomely. “It was an opportunity for
all of us to demonstrate and showcase
pedestrians and vehicles with traffic
marshals and pictorial, multi-lingual
analysis and arrived at requirement
v/s operational implementation.” Not buckled? What is holding you back?
our EHS best practices, capabilities Competence-building workshops were
signage as per the guidelines of the
held at all the three project sites with
and culture and we, as a team, worked Indian Road Congress.” Always wear a seat belt when driving. It will keep you safe!
together with a common goal and more attention paid to the weak areas
vision to make things happen through Special focus was given to manual and “separate 3-tier 5-star audits were
harmonized collective efforts.” His handling at the DLF project using the TILE conducted for lower, middle and senior
EHS Manager, M R Das elaborates, (Task, Individual, Load & Environment) management to make everyone aware
6 HELMET HELMET 7
S
enior EHS Manager, Santosh S elaborates, “for we are erecting around 500-600 elements every
Bore is a very happy and proud month. Then, we had to be careful about the orientation, the
When we are building
man! Fresh from his maiden alignment, the angle of deflection and other such aspects.”
the largest stadium
trip to London, he was carrying extra
in the world, we are
Big safety challenges
To build the
baggage on his return journey, the
bound to face some
Sword of Honour that he received from
really big challenges
the British Safety Council, a reflection For Santosh, the challenges were several: the huge expanse of
and we, as a team,
largest, you of his exemplary EHS management
at the huge Motera Cricket Stadium
Santosh S Bore
Senior EHS Manager
were prepared for
them.
the project site, working at heights, working in precariously-
positioned spaces, the 2,500-strong army of workmen, the
site. “When we are building the largest huge amount of traffic, and much more. “Our biggest problem,
have to be stadium in the world, we are bound to
face some really big challenges and we,
however, was lack of space considering the size of equipment
and precast elements that we were handling,” sighs Santosh.
the best! as a team, were prepared for them,” says a
confident Santosh. The oval or elliptical-
shaped superstructure of the stadium
“We were literally boxed in from 3 sides by a temple, a
residential colony and a high-tension line so everything
we did had to be within this space. Employing huge cranes
Project Motera tested L&T’s engineering prowess for it
involved “more number of elements,”
and erecting equally huge precast columns especially in the
temple area was very difficult. There was danger on the other
Stadium as Project Director, Subrata Dutta (SD), side too because fabrication work and crane movement was
close to the high-tension line. Then, handling the huge ‘Y’
frames some of which were 30 m in height weighing over
285 tonnes, transporting them from the precast yard, placing
and erecting them maintaining the Centre of Gravity was
another tough task. We had to plan the entire erection process
meticulously. All activities were conducted with lifting and
work at height permits and evidence.”
“We also had to monitor and control the height at which
work was happening at the upper bowl for which, we have
developed safety height simulation with BIM 360 modelling.
We also have fall protection at heights of 30 m with a CCTV
monitoring system.” Fire load calculations have been done for
all facilities with independent risk assessment and fire fighting
equipment installed as per fire load.
Material and vehicle movement takes up a lot of Santosh’s
attention and time primarily owing to the size involved. “We
are employing cranes of 300, 400 and 600 tonnes and huge
mechanical earthmoving equipment. Plotting their movement
within the confines of the site is critical so we have a well-
evolved traffic plan and traffic marshals.”
8 HELMET HELMET 9
We were able to zoom
into certain sections
of the site for them
to clearly see safety
railings, the safety
nets on the staging
Subrata Dutta and other things.
Project Director
“Our communication has been
continuous and of very good quality,”
informs Santosh. “All our posters are in
just two sizes: 3’x4’ and 5’x6’, printed
on high quality flex that are displayed
throughout the site communicating
about best practices, Do’s and Don’ts’
and other safety messages.” There
are alerts of incidents on TV screens
placed both in the office lobby and the
workmen’s dining hall. The site office
has clearly marked entry and exits, a
fire point, rest rooms, adequate signage
as per 5S and a display screen for
equipment assessment.
Order and discipline from the Managing labour The fruits of shared good at coordinating with clients. All are
self-starters, proactive in their work and
word go Another important consideration for responsibility do not require any direction,” he says
Santosh and this EHS team was the call with a certain amount of pride.
The order and discipline in EHS that Santosh and his team taken by the project team to house the Three senior engineers, an EHSO
have introduced is evident from the entry to the site where labour camp within the site premises. and seven safety Inspectors make Handling issues on health,
there are clearly separate gates for visitors and vehicles “Managing the affairs of 2,500 labour up Santosh’s team. “All my team environmental obligations, liaising with
replete with pictorial and multi-lingual signage with records has been a major achievement,” he members know their individual local enforcement and other agencies are
of every visitor/vehicle that enters and leaves the site. “We smiles. “Ensuring that their quarters areas of responsibility to maintain a some of Santosh’s other responsibilities.
even maintain records of alcohol tests, inductions and vehicle are clean, free from all incidents, positive EHS culture and to avoid any He surely has his hands full but then
inspections that were verified by the auditor.” In the site office maintaining discipline, ensuring the untoward incident at project,” and thus what else can be expected when building
lobby, there is a point from where the entire site can be viewed. quality of their food, keeping them far they have been successful having the world’s largest stadium?
“After a visit to our Emergency Control Centre, the auditor was in good health are all being handled clocked 10 million safe man hours.
impressed with our CCTV footage which proved to be a big well.” Considering the confines within “My team possesses special skills,”
‘plus’ for us during the audit because we were able to show which the Motera stadium is situated, continues Santosh, “some are strong
our safety measures to the auditors from the site office itself,” it is actually a blessing for him that so in field and risk assessment, some in
says Santosh. SD chips in, “we were able to zoom into certain much of manpower need not commute communication and digitalization,
sections of the site for them to clearly see safety railings, the through the congested streets of some in imparting training, some in
safety nets on the staging and other things.” Ahmedabad. legal requirements while others are
10 HELMET HELMET 11
T Overcoming tall odds
o build two towers of 58 and 51
residential floors respectively
Of course, when you
replete with multiple basement Being a high-rise project, the primary
are working at speed
levels, podiums, service and fire check concerns for Gopi were working at
on a project of this
floors spread over a total built-up area height and falling of men and material
scale and complexity,
of 26 lakh square feet involving some from height. Mandated to implement
our responsibility to
240 employees and 3,000 workmen, EHS procedures and processes,
protect lives, material
the safety challenges for Project optimize resource utilization, support
Ranjeet Kumar and machinery
Manager, Ranjeet Kumar and Senior Project Manager
administration, logistics and other
Rising to
becomes very critical.
EHS Manager, Gopi Krishnan can well facilities functions, Gopi has his hands
be imagined. Adding in good measure full. As construction went higher, so did
meet some
to their safety challenges is the crushing his safety concerns as workmen had to
delivery schedule the team is facing of contend with heights and the strong
just 42 months. winds blowing from the Arabian Sea.
‘tall’ safety “It has not been smooth sailing by any
stretch of imagination,” shares Ranjeet,
is keeping us on our toes and constantly
increasing our asking rate.” He stops
to gather his thoughts. “Of course,
“The hydraulic climbing safety screen
with staircase greatly helped as the
standards
workmen never realized that they were
“because the project has had to face when you are working at speed on a
actually working at huge heights. We
several delays to begin with due to project of this scale and complexity, our
ensured that we created a scene as if
various reasons and thereafter frequent responsibility to protect lives, material
Project ICC Towers design changes by a very involved client and machinery becomes very critical.”
they were working at ground level.”
To meet the delivery deadline, Ranjeet
and team had no other alternative
but to open up several work fronts
simultaneously. “Enveloping both the
Crown works on the roof of the tower at 225 m above MSL
The hydraulic
climbing safety
screen with staircase
greatly helped as
the workmen never
realized that they
Gopi Krishnan were actually working
Manager-EHS
at huge heights. We
ensured that we
created a scene as if
they were working at
ground level.
ACP installation using rope suspended platform for façade completion works under way Water proofing works in the external areas for final finishing
12 HELMET HELMET 13
safety standards.” For Gopi and his 50-
man EHS team, the need was for many
more pairs of eyes and bodies to keep
tab on what was going on. “Work was
happening on the exterior as well as
interior and across many floors so we
had to be always on the run.”
“Some of the other significant risks
were lifting operations, managing NSC
vendors, and of course, the dynamic
turnover of people. We ensured the
right selection and implementation of
suitable engineering controls for high-
risk activities that significantly reduced
the human reliability factor.” Fixing
customized gates with lock and key for
all lift shafts, fall restraints for hand held
tools, customized scaffolds with design
calculation for height works and works
on inclined floors, customized frames
& trolleys to reduce risks of manual
handling, malaria prevention programs
to control vector born diseases during Birds eye view of the roundabout works underway
monsoon were some of the other
Fabrication works for entrance portal
measures adopted. “Inspection and Another aspect that is typical of the employees in safety, understanding
monitoring were simplified since all the Mumbai is the monsoon that posed training requirements and implementing
activities were permitted with method risks especially for deep excavation. robust risk management tools and
statements and risk assessment apart “The monsoon played havoc with our practices. “I had to ensure that safety
from job hazard analysis,” Gopi adds. already compressed schedules.” Gopi’s remained high on the list of priorities
anguish is very evident. “The wet earth of the management and developed
Work was happening Mumbai, a huge was at times loose while sometimes it an effective two-way communication
was settling down so we had to be extra system so that while we were able to
on the exterior as well challenge cautious. Similarly, stacking and shifting convey our expectations, workmen also
as interior and across With the project site located in the heart
of material posed threats that were very had the chance to share their issues,
difficult to foresee. We therefore created problems or suggestions. This system
many floors so we of congested Mumbai, it was hardly hard surfaces at selected pockets as worked very well and the fact that we
surprising that managing site logistics
had to be always on was a huge headache. “Space is at a
designated satellite storage spaces for
hard and brittle items with MS frames
have already clocked 8 million safe man
hours at site is testimony to its success.”
the run. premium in Mumbai and there seems with a built-in safety lash facility and Gopi’s tone is triumphant!
to be no space for anything in this city,” provided customized pallet trolleys to
Gopi Krishnan “We are in the testing and commissioning
laughs Gopi, “neither for the population shift heavy items to reduce the risk of
Manager - EHS stage and the real challenge now in terms
nor for the traffic nor for any kind of manual handling.”
of safety is the control of risk from the
construction work. Since people and
energized system in terms of electrical,
towers with the glass façade was a
vehicles had to move around in such a Addressing the people pressure, pneumatics and hydraulics.”
constrained environment, the threat of
critical milestone because that opened
up several work fronts for us. In a high
accidents is ever present.” Robust traffic factor Challenges will remain but for Ranjeet,
management and strictly adherence As every EHS professional knows, Gopi and their band of committed
rise, the only way work can proceed is
to road rules within the site were the ultimately safety is all about people team members, the focus is on keeping
upwards,” he grins, “so we started work
answers. Having the labour colonies and the manner in which they embrace their safety record intact and ensuring
at various levels all at the same time.
fairly close to the project site is a boon for or reject safety. Other important delivery to their customer’s many,
Of course,” he nods, “it increased the
it reduces exposure of 3,000 workmen to considerations for Gopi included getting stringent and tall requirements.
pressure on us to maintain our high
Granite stone cutting machine with customised guards fitted for onsite cutting works the vagaries of the Mumbai traffic. to know the legal environment to involve
14 HELMET HELMET 15
“The trick is to constantly reinvent and the worker at the end of the chain. And thereafter, it’s
equally important to keep reinventing and refreshing it.
a huge influx of experienced Indian workforce returning,
bringing with them a more positive safety culture.”
refresh your safety strategies!”
Our workforce supervision and management is robust
with intense training including leadership, safety and risk As is very often the case in recent times, the conversation
management training, and our managers are empowered to veers to the subject of digitalization. “The most important
Stephen Phillip Storey manage and lead to try bridging the gap to achieve a good, aspect of digitalization is change management, it is about
demonstrable safety culture and behaviour. We focus on changing a mind-set,” he taps his temple, “it is a seed that we
Head – EHS, Heavy Civil Infrastructure IC
third-party training too from international bodies in crane had planted and now need to nurture it to full bloom but the
management, operation and rigging, scaffolding inspection change is very evident. We are getting there,” he says with a
and erection, and run occupational health campaigns on loud laugh.
heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and yoga fitness.”
L&T has been a prolific entrant for the RoSPA awards having
Stephen admits that the safety culture in India is not as mature won 98 awards since 2015 and with his experience, exposure
as it is in Europe or the US, “but that is also fast changing,” and expertise, Stephen is an ideal choice as their first
he hastens to add. “With India’s economy on the fast track international Awards Ambassador.
and other global economies slowing down, we are attracting
Stephen Phillip Storey has
been selected as ‘Ambassador
of the RoSPA Health & Safety
Awards.’ Here he is receiving
his ambassadorship from Lord My strategy is adopted, endorsed and enforced right from the top:
Mackenzie & Lord Jordon, the
from S V Desai, our IC Head, because safety starts at the top, then
current and former RoSPA
Presidents and both current to the BU heads and percolated right down to the worker at the
members of the House of Lords end of the chain. And thereafter, it’s equally important to keep
at a prestigious ceremony held reinventing and refreshing it.
at the Houses of Parliament,
Westminster.
Even a decade and a half of working out of the UK has not “L&T is a huge and complex organization and my first
corrupted Stephen Phillip Storey’s clipped, British accent and biggest challenge was to understand it, appreciate its
that he often delivers at breakneck speed, especially when culture and align myself to it. Some business practices were
holding forth on his favourite topic – Safety. His smile these new to me and information sharing was a trifle laboured
days is even broader for he is now RoSPA’s first international but that is fast changing thanks to digitalization. The other
ambassador for the health and safety awards and the first huge challenge has been the nature of our workforce,
person from L&T to have been accorded this honour. “The drawn largely from the agriculture sector that is highly
thing I am most impressed about L&T is that they put their mobile and seasonal producing a large, quick turnover.
money where their mouth is,” he shares, as always playing There are at an average four turnovers per project. In some
off the front foot. “The primary reason of my joining L&T instances, new workmen arrive at projects every three
was SNS and his vision for EHS in this organization. I must months with almost no exposure to construction safety.”
add that I have had more opportunities to grow here than Making these workmen understand the complex engineering
I would have had in any other organization that I have and construction work methods, develop the requisite skill
worked with.” And, Stephen has worked with a number of sets all in a small window of time is what Stephen and his ilk
organizations across the globe starting with the London face day in and day out at projects.
‘Tube’ – the underground rail system – in 1991. In 2004, he
moved to the Middle East where he worked for 9 years, then “The only way to address this reality is to have a clear-
after a year in Hong Kong, he worked in Korea for a while. cut EHS strategy,” says Stephen, crossing his arms as if to
“My great-grandfather worked for Ford Motor Company in communicate that he brooks no opposition. “My strategy
Madras and my grandfather went to school here,” he recalls is adopted, endorsed and enforced right from the top:
fondly, so coming to Chennai was a return of the native, from S V Desai, our IC Head, because safety starts at the
in a manner of speaking. top, then to the BU heads and percolated right down to
16 HELMET HELMET 17
During winter, due to
dense fog, visibility
was poor and posed
a huge challenge for
traffic management as
the vehicles had to be
Elavarasan precisely guided around
Senior Safety Manager
the access route which
was ensured with fog
lights, safety bollards
and solar blinkers while
a TRAP system was
implemented to ensure
comprehensive safety at
work place.
A ‘Safe
Victory’ keep the signage visible. During the
evening and night, special lining lights
were installed on the periphery of
mattered the barricades as an enhanced safety
measure,” informs Farooqi. “During
the most!
winter, due to dense fog, visibility was
poor and posed a huge challenge for
traffic management as the vehicles had
Lucknow Metro Rail to be precisely guided around the access
route which was ensured with fog lights,
Phase II safety bollards and solar blinkers while
L Barricading and
ucknow Metro Rail Corporation a lot to share on their safe journey.
(LMRC) has etched its name Stepping into the thick of action is
firmly in the annals of India’s how Farooqi defines his stand as he messaging the right
took charge midway into the project.
Metro Rail saga for being the fastest
raised infrastructure not once but twice “The EHS system was already in place way
and a large part of this credit goes to the and needed to be taken forward as and With the alignment running right
team of hardy professionals from Heavy when the new fronts opened up. As we through the heart of the city, it was
Civil Infrastructure IC who have safely were on an accelerating mode, it was mandatory to have a secure barricading
steered the course. “What makes this important to get the safety connect with the right kind of messaging to
going 24/7 and the way forward restrict movement across critical areas
special is that achieving ‘A Safe Victory’
was to open up channels of secure and streamline vehicular traffic and
was the first priority at site even before
communication through tool box talks people movement as per the approved
we set the ball rolling,” shares Razi
and specific on-site trainings. However pathways. “A comprehensive traffic
Ahmed Farooqi, the EHS In-charge.
skilled one is, it is always important to management plan was developed in
connect with the basics of tool handling
Advocating a 24/7 for it serves as an opportunity to pep-
consultation with the Police Department
and alternative routes were identified
safety approach up the crew for the day ahead.” Along
with the safe talking, workmen and
with adequate number of traffic
marshals managing various locations.
With more than 3 million safe man- work zones were thoroughly screened A dedicated team regularly washed
hours in the project kitty, Farooqi has on a daily basis. the barricade with water sprinklers to
18 HELMET HELMET 19Good practices were
always a part of this
scheme and contributors
were just not
acknowledged but made
to feel good with the
Razi Ahmed Farooqi EHS team commending
EHS In-charge
the initiative. By creating
safety ambassadors
among the workmen
we were bringing in a
cultural change that was
well acknowledged even
by their families.
equipment was ensured through a daily
lift plan,” highlights Elavarasan.
Raising awareness was critical during the monsoon as we were installed at site to indicate the we were bringing in a cultural change
through simulations just could not afford any slip,” however,
he assures, “We addressed with round the
threshold levels,” avers Farooqi referring
to the range of indicators they used that
that was well acknowledged even by
their families.”
The EHS team proactively planned clock vigil backed-up by a large number included earth leakage circuit breakers
simulations across significant work of dewatering pumps to channelize the for safe application during electrical Being healthy matters
zones with special focus on the critical rain water.” installations, noise assessment tools,
areas such as the Gomti River cantilever air monitoring meters, lux meters for As Lucknow is prone to extreme
bridge and ROB spans. “The mock-up Defining the access and measurement of overall intensity of light weather conditions with temperatures
within an environment, megger meters soaring during summer and dipping
was a thorough process to address any
unlikely incident,” remarks Farooqi.
egress points for checking the insulation resistance of considerably during winter, adequate
“We lined up our responses including electrical equipment and load indicator measures had to be taken to orient
Safe access and egress points were
how to communicate about the crisis, gantries. In addition, improvisations workmen on communicable diseases,
defined across all work locations with
rescue with first-aid, move to the nearest such as spark curtailment for welding preventive measures and how to handle
the pathways secured by appropriate
hospital and bring the situation under works and locking arrangements situations like heat stroke. “We made
safety edge protection rails and fall
control.” for girders ensured a safe working sure that every unit had access to potable
protection platforms. “Positions for the
environment. water with coolers provided at critical
cantilever bridge and ROB were fixed and
Deftly working through illustrated on many occasions through
Acknowledging good
work areas while large earthen pots
were installed across other locations.
mock-drills as the criticality was high,”
sublayers informs Farooqi. In addition, double practices Further, timely energy supplements
layered safety nets were extensively used were distributed to the workmen as and
a TRAP system was implemented to permits. As the scope involved welding “Surprisingly, the scope had some deep when required,” highlights Farooqi. The
across the entire alignment spans along For Farooqi, safety is more of a behavioral
ensure comprehensive safety at work and mechanical works especially across excavation to be done across each of the message was clear that safety is 24/7
with deck sheeting so that fall of persons, approach and in line with this thought,
place,” adds Elavarasan, Senior Safety the ROB, steel and box girders, a secure stations,” mentions Farooqi. “At some both at workplace and habitats with
tools or objects was completely arrested. the EHS team initiated a top-down
Manager. scheme was put in place to back-up the places it was more than 12 feet to construct the EHS team establishing a hygienic
safe approach wherein the message of
critical tasks. “Each location was provided the underground water tanks networked workmen colony with a common
being safe was communicated to every
Going only by the work with adequate fire extinguishers with to the station buildings to be supported Banking on a range of workmen. “Good practices were always kitchen equipped with exhaust fan,
the EHS team allocating and refilling
permit the gas while field in-charges had the
with water in case of a fire emergency.”
To mitigate caving in of the soil, a precise
secure indicators a part of this scheme and contributors adequate dustbins, fire extinguishers
were just not acknowledged but and lighting. Ultimately, being healthy
onus of using it as and when required,” shoring scheme was adopted by roping “Being forewarned is always good and safe both on and off the field was
Work spots were strictly defined and made to feel good with the EHS team
highlights Farooqi. “Every lift was in a specialized agency with EHS teams and the EHS team at site ensured that pivotal for defining speed and scale at
access was provided only through commending the initiative. By creating
unique and safe positioning of heavy monitoring every location. “The situation appropriate systems and equipment LMRC!
safety ambassadors among the workmen
20 HELMET HELMET 21electrical & instrumentation, piping,
HVAC, firefighting, water & utility
systems, etc.), integration and
commissioning. “All of this was to be
delivered in about 33 months!” One can
understand Ram’s situation because
as he explains, “when the asking rate
is so steep, the entire engineering
and construction process has to be
recalibrated to meet the deadlines which
puts extra pressure on our EHS system.”
Critical EHS
considerations
There are some extremely stringent EHS
codes of practice and legal requirements
prevalent in UAE, which was one
of EHS In-charge, Pallab Mondal’s
Setting primary concerns. “We had to take
many approvals involving several local
EHS
authorities, each with their own style
of working and many of the approvals
involved multi stages. To be honest, we
benchmarks were warned of these hurdles before
we started work and our previous
experience on other projects really
in UAE helped us face these challenges.”
The creation of a safe work culture at site
LSAW is directly dependent on how effectively
the safety message is communicated to
Pipe Mill project every workman and every employee at
the project site. “My task was tougher,”
A
admits Mondal, “because we had a cross-
part from the pressures to deliver M/s. Al Gharbia Pipe Company LLC, a JV
cultural workforce drawn from different
a project to stringent time lines between the Senaat Group U.A.E., JFE
When the asking rate My task was tougher nationalities, backgrounds and speaking
and global quality standards, Steel Corporation and Marubeni-Itochu
is so steep, the entire because we had different languages so we had to be very
every team executing an overseas Steel Inc. Japan.
engineering and a cross-cultural careful in the formulation of our EHS
project has the added responsibility
construction process Project Director, Hare Ram, was both workforce drawn from communication and how it was shared.”
to maintain and exceed the tough
has to be recalibrated a happy and concerned man. “I was different nationalities,
EHS benchmarks set by international The weather conditions in the Middle
to meet the deadlines happy because this project was yet backgrounds and
customers. The project team from L&T’s East are well known. Adequate
Hare Ram which puts extra another opportunity to establish our
Pallab Mondal speaking different
MMH SBG was in a similar situation after Project Director EHS In-charge
precautions therefore had to be taken
pressure on our credentials as a force to reckon with languages so we had
winning the project, in the face of stiff to safeguard the workforce from the
EHS system. in such a competitive market but the to be very careful in
global competition, to build UAE’s first harsh weather especially during the
huge scope and crashing deadlines were the formulation of our
LSAW (Longitudinally Submerged Arc height of summer. Waste management
cause for concern, if not worry.” The EHS communication
Welded) Pipe Mill in consortium with is an important aspect and as Mondal
‘scope’ that he was referring to covered and how it was shared.
the SMS Group in KIZAD, Abu Dhabi, explains, “There was a legal requirement
UAE. Won in October 2015, the US $ 200 the entire balance of plant engineering,
that we had to recycle 70% of total waste.
million project (of which L&T’s share supply, overall plant construction (civil,
That apart, there were different types of
was US $ 100 million) had to deliver to structural, mechanical equipment,
audits and compliances to be fulfilled
22 HELMET HELMET 23“Often, the first step towards problem
resolution is a proper understanding
of it,” chips in Ram, “and in the case
of our EHS, our understanding of all
challenges from the word ‘go’ went a
long way in helping us meet our EHS
obligations.”
Addressing critical risk
activities
Perhaps, the most critical activity for
the team was the sequential erection
of equipment over the steel structure
inside the process building. Some of
the other critical activities included
dewatering before the start of civil
activities. From the power perspective,
“we had to lay 11 kV power lines from
the ADDC (Abu Dhabi Distribution
Company) sub-station to our site,
construct an 11 kV substation, civil
Regular safety briefings structures and columns,” explains Monitoring noise levels Tool box talks make a huge difference
Mondal. In addition, there were
that had to be regularly submitted to the
local authorities for approval.”
Environment Management Plan),
ESTIDAMA (a green building concept)
sheeting activities over the process Associated hazards were carefully
identified and minimized right
Keeping the Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi
(EAD), an approved third party,
building, GRP lining inside a confined
and the like “for which we had to space, the need to construct and erect from the outset. “We established environment intact conducted an ecological field survey to
It was critical for Mondal and his team to be vigilant to identify and minimize and implemented robust EHS assess the presence of flora and fauna
the firefighting & HVAC pipelines and
be ultra-careful to avoid any comments hazards.” and Construction Environment No spiny-tailed lizards: Even before within the boundaries of the site. The
other equipment.
from agencies like CEMP (Construction Management Plans. As a SOP, Method construction activities began, the survey used habitat suitability and field
Statements and Risk Assessments were
prepared before the start of any activity
and every job was executed with
specific work permits such as hot work
permits, height work permits, permits
for confined space entry and the like,”
Mondal elaborates. “Any erection of
above 10 tonnes was treated as a heavy
erection which was planned and the
relevant documentation completed
in advance. For heavy lifting, we
would send all the details of the
erection (engineering drawings, size
of materials, location of erection, etc.)
to our Construction Method Planning
Centre to prepare a lifting plan and all
heavy loads were erected as per that
plan.”
Rewards for a task well done
24 HELMET HELMET 25LOSE
ALL
Fall of material from height
Scenario
During the stringing of an AEC (Arial Earth Conductor)
stringing, the roller slipped from the workman’s hand
and fell from a height of 1.5 meter, while another
workman was climbing the OHE mast to fix the roller.
Fortunately, no workman was standing or working
below the mast and hence no injury occurred.
What was the cause?
1. Unsafe handling of material while working at
Health check-up to keep the team healthy Systematic waste disposal height
2. Non-availability of a tool bag
signs to ascertain the presence of spiny- Waste in separate bins was stored Mondal, “that had to be submitted to
tailed lizards, which were not found on in a separate waste segregation area EAD during the CEMP audit.”
site though the resulting report had to be from where it was picked up and
What are the precautions
submitted to EAD for the environmental taken away by an approved 3rd party The proof of the need to be taken to prevent a
permit. prior to which, an online request had
to be made and even post disposal, puddling is in the recurrence?
To ensure no spill: Right at the outset,
Mondal and his team identified all the
the loop was closed only after the
receipt of a stamped manifest. Mondal
eating 1. Safe work method to be followed and step by
potential environmental issues that adds, “according to these manifests, step procedures need to be briefed in advance
The EHS team monitored all the systems
could arise during the construction a monthly waste track and recycle
Tool bag Hand tool tied with
at the project and Mondal is a satisfied 2. Tool bag should be provided to the workmen
activities and evolved mitigation plans. percentage report was generated and man for as he shares happily, “we are
safety harness
“To prevent the spillage of oil or fuel and hand tools must be tied with harness, while
submitted to ESTIDAMA.” about to achieve a Pearl 2 rating under
during refueling or plant maintenance working at height
ESTIDAMA and we have clocked 4.48
that could spoil the ground water, we Keeping the dust and the noise
million safe hours without LTI which 3. Regular awareness training on manual material
provided a bund wall for the diesel tank down: While regular sprinkling kept
is a fair reward for our effort!” For Ram handling
and had drip trays for all DG sets and the dust down, covered trailers that
!
and the entire project team, it was a
plants.” Sewage water from tanks inside carried the disposed soil and stockpiles
W
resounding triumph of teamwork! 4. Ensure close supervision when working at
E
the bund wall was regularly disposed did not exceed 2 m in height to avoid
PH
and recorded. fugitive ‘wind-blown’ dust. During height
construction works, noise levels were
Systematic waste disposal: Since constantly monitored and maintained
waste management was an important at a maximum of 90dB at site and 70dB
consideration for the authorities, outside the boundary wall. “We had to
the team had to address it diligently. maintain reports for this too,” smiles
26 HELMET HELMET 27From the word ‘go’, we had to ensure that we were on a safe
ground as the alignment was routed along critical areas, Breaking
down the big numbers was one of the first tasks for sharper focus
and to chalk out a secure access plan. Activities were mapped
considering the variables through a fishbone analysis to evolve
detailed HIRA and EHS plans. Thanks to our digital measures we
Sujit Panda now have a system in place wherein all observations are captured
EHS In-charge
on dashboards facilitating detailed analysis.
task to line up activities one by one,” Construction of the fore bay was a
affirms Sujit. “Appropriate sloping and critical activity since the area was
benching methods were worked out exposed to the river with fluctuating
along with additional protection such water levels due to its proximity to
as safety nets to contain the earth.” the pump house and the barrage. For
Other support elements included hard a safe execution strategy, the project
barricading with color coding and team proposed the construction of a
signage boards with safety messages cofferdam on the river side to lower the
while access to work spots was allowed water level after discussing with the
only through an authorized approval government officials. The scheme was
which was further backed-up with further reinforced in consultation with
MS ladders supported with the EDRC team. “We also deployed a
intermediate landing platforms for person to monitor the water levels to
safe working. make sure all gaps were covered.”
Pro-activeness L An eye for the details
&T Construction’s Water &
Effluent Treatment IC was
mandated to construct the Upper One of the first teams to take stock of
and prevention Indrāvati Project envisioned to irrigate
26,248 hectares of predominately
deliverables at site was the Group Risk
Assessment crew comprising all the
are always
drought prone areas of Odisha’s core members. “With all of us on the
Kalahandi District, and help create same platform, it was easy to strategize
one of highest rice producing basins to approaches for both the critical and
better than benefit some 56,000 families. Certainly
a tall task, as it involved building a vast
the routine tasks,” highlights Sujit.
Activities were mapped considering
water infrastructure network with a the variables through a fishbone
cure. range of civil, mechanical and electrical
works across a composite alignment in
analysis to evolve detailed HIRA and
EHS plans.
just 60 months!
Upper Indrāvati Lift
“From the word ‘go’, we had to ensure Banking on our
Canal project that we were on a safe ground as the
alignment was routed along critical
inherent strengths
areas,” says Sujit Panda, the EHS The expertise of EDRC was relied upon
In-charge, “Breaking down the big to evolve a secure foolproof execution
numbers was one of the first tasks for strategy by excavating the 14 m deep
sharper focus and to chalk out a secure pump house. “Once the profile was
access plan.” finalized it was a straight forward
28 HELMET HELMET 29You can also read
