BALCO Conducts “Suraksha Mahakumbh” − A 3-Day Safety Excellence Workshop

4th November 2023

Balconagar; 4th November 2023: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer, recently concluded a mega safety awareness workshop – ‘Suraksha Mahakumbh’, reinforcing the company’s commitment to bolstering safety and security within the organization. The 3-day workshop drew the active participation of over 3000 employees and business partners. With laser-sharp focus on creating a ‘safety-first’ culture, BALCO has been upholding the highest safety protocols, educating its employees, business partners and nearby communities to bolster safety quotient in the areas where it operates.

Suraksha Mahakumbh engaged employees and business partners working at the shop floors, security team, and various other departments of the organization. One of the most acclaimed aspects of the event was ‘Chetna Rules’, which focused on multiple fundamental safety tips. Through such workshops, the company aims at nurturing a safety culture rooted in coaching, counselling, monitoring, and providing immediate feedback.

The event also felicitated the outstanding contributions of 35 exceptional individuals towards safety and security who were recognized as ‘Suraksha Mahanayaks’ (Safety Heroes). These individuals were recognized for their unwavering commitment to championing safety awareness within their respective departments, motivating others to prioritize safety in the workplace.

Talking about the Suraksha Mahakumbh, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director, BALCO said, “At BALCO, safety of our people is of utmost importance to us, and we rank it as a non-negotiable parameter of our operational excellence. From comprehensive safety training to offering cutting-edge technical solutions, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of safety at our operations and beyond. The Suraksha Mahakumbh event reaffirms this unwavering commitment and aims at inculcating a safety-first mindset to motivate employees to bring in a constructive transformation around the workplace.”

In addition to its plant premises, the event was also organized for employees working at the Coal Mines in Chotia, Chhattisgarh, drawing participation of more than 100 employees and business partners. During this workshop, attendees received training on pertinent safety guidelines tailored to their roles in coal mining and management.

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. The company 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:

  • 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) leveraging digital intelligence and data insights for better decision-making in security, traffic & road safety, and supply chain security functions.
  • Real-time data monitoring, facilitating end-to-end digital dashboards, including projects like the Hot Spot Detection System at coal yard, using thermal inspection to ensure strict safety.
  • LED Logo Projectors on the shop floors for better safety messaging in high-traffic areas.

In recognition of its safety-first commitment, BALCO has received several notable awards, including the National Safety Awards (Mines), a Platinum Award in the 5th CII National Safety Practices Competition, and the Global Road Safety Award.

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 tonnes 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.

About Vedanta Limited:

Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa and Namibia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector. Vedanta is committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner and has pledged $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net zero operations. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. The company’s flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars, have been set up as model anganwadis focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. Under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, the Vedanta group has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on social impact programmes with a thrust on nutrition, women & child development, healthcare, animal welfare, and grass-root level sports. Vedanta and the group companies have been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and was conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020, Golden Peacock Award for excellence in Corporate Governance 2022 and certified as a Great Place to Work 2022. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.

For more information, please visit www.vedantalimited.com

About Vedanta Aluminium Business:

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.

For more information, please log on to www.vedantaaluminium.com

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