Jharsuguda, Odisha, 08thAugust 2023:Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, recentlyconducted an on-site mock drill to counter transformer firesin association with the Directorate of Factories and Boilers, Government of Odisha, at its aluminium smelter in Jharsuguda. This milestone event markedthe first-of-its-kind drill conducted withinatransformer area among all industries in Jharsuguda,a strong testament ofVedanta Aluminium’s unwavering commitment to safety excellence.
With the primary objective of the drill being to assess the emergency response capabilities of the company, the event was conducted in the presence of Mr. Swaroop Jena – Deputy Director of Factories & Boilers, Sambalpur Division, and Mr. Manoj Mishra – Assistant Directorof Factories & Boilers, Jharsuguda. The transformer fire mock drill also saw the participation ofseveral partner industries including Jindal Steel& Power Limited, Tata Refractories Limited and Odisha Power Generation Corporation. As part of the mock drill, various simulations were conducted to gauge emergency preparedness, with a focus on transformer fires, an emergency situation which requires a swift and precise response.
Highlighting the company’s robust safety practices,Mr. Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Limited- Aluminium Business said “At Vedanta Aluminium, safety is of paramount importance to us.Mock drills are a useful tool in Vedanta Aluminium’s safety arsenal. The mock drill on transformer fires, a first-of-its-kind among industries in Jharsuguda, reflects our commitment to ensuring the well-being of our employees and the community. Through such exercises, we aim to strengthen our emergency response mechanisms and equip our team with the necessary skills to handle any untoward incidents with precision and efficiency.”
Appreciating the company for conducting the first transformer fire mock drill in the district,Mr. Swaroop Jena – Deputy Director, Directorate of Factories & Boilers, Sambalpur Division,said “The collaborative efforts by Vedanta Aluminium and the Directorate of Factories & Boilers in conducting mock drills and other safety-focused initiatives set a strong precedent for the region, emphasizing the significance of preparedness and prompt response in safeguarding our workforce and communities. I appreciate the proactive approach undertaken by the company in the seamless execution of the region’s first-ever on-site mock drill on transformer fire, exhibiting their excellence in safety practices.”
Vedanta Aluminium has always prioritized safety as an integral part of its operations. The company continuously invests in advanced safety training and cutting-edge safety equipment and constant assessment and augmentation of its Safety Management System to ensure a safe working environment for all its employees and the community. Its key efforts in this regard include:
- Recently, the company organized an impactful Industrial Safety Training Program in collaboration with the Directorate of Factories and Boilers, Government of Odisha, which witnessed an overwhelming response of over 450 participants from several industries and companies in Western Odisha
- Leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) for immersive and effective safety training to employees and business partners
- A Safety Culture Transformation Programme, Sankalp, has been implemented by Vedanta Aluminium towards ensuring behaviour-based safety practices
- Safety Stand Downs, where leadership teams directly engage with employees on highlighting various facets of health, safety and environment
- Agnivahini – a unique squad of women employees trained extensively in the complex skill of firefighting
- Mock Drills & Safety Awareness Sessions in collaboration with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA)
- ‘A safety induction programme called Pehchan that seeks to build a safety-first culture amongst new recruits by introducing them to robust safety management systems
- Fire, electrical & household-safety training sessions for school students and the community by employee volunteers from the company
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2022 world rankings for aluminium industry, a reflection of its 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.
