OSH SOUTH INDIA 2024 UNVEILS STATE OF ART INNOVATION AT BIEC , BENGALURU

Empowering Occupational Health & Safety Excellence – OSH South India 2024

Unveils State-of-the-Art Innovations at BIEC, Bengaluru

 
 The 9th edition of OSH South India, themed, ‘New-Age OSH Solutions for a Safer Workforce,’
driving innovation across dynamic workshops, conferences, and panel discussions.
 Featuring over 200 brands and includes insights from 40 speakers across 12 sessions, drawing
4000+ visitors.
 Showcasing exhibitors presenting PPE, occupational health solutions, AI in safety, and
advanced fall arrest systems

Bengaluru : The 9th edition of OSH South India, India’s premier occupational safety and

health (OSH) expo and conference, organised by Informa Markets in India, commenced today at the

Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bengaluru. The two-day expo taking place on June

27th and 28th, 2024, showcased advancements in personal protective equipment (PPE),

occupational health solutions, artificial intelligence applications in safety, fall arrest systems, and

workwear, and it is expected to draw more than 4000 trade visitors. With the global workplace

safety market projected to grow from USD 15.7 billion in 2023 to USD 30.3 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of

14%, OSH South India 2024 is poised to drive significant advancements in the sector, showcasing the

latest technologies and solutions for enhancing workplace safety standards in India.

The inaugural ceremony of OSH South India 2024 was graced by distinguished guests, including Chief

Guest Mr. Mohammad Mohsin, IAS, Principal Secretary, Labour Department, Government of

Karnataka; Guest of Honour Mr. K. Srinivas, Director, Department of Factories, Boilers, Industrial

Safety & Health, Government of Karnataka; Mr. K.G. Nanjappa, Additional Director, Department of

Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety & Health, Government of Karnataka; Mr. V. Sriram Kumar,

President, Electronics City Industries Association; Mr. E. T. Care Raju, President, Neelamangala

Industrial Association; Mr. Mahesh Kudav, President, Safety Appliances Manufacturers Association;

Mr. Dinesh A.U. Rittal, Chairman, National Institute of Personal Management; Mr. Pankaj Jain, Senior

Group Director & Digital Head, Informa Markets in India; and Mr. Prashant Jain, Senior Project Director –

Safety Portfolio. They emphasised the paramount importance of occupational safety and health,

highlighting the need for a unified approach to fostering safer and more sustainable work environments.

Held in association with the Karnataka State Safety Institute and the Department of Factories, Boilers,

Occupational Safety & Health, Government of Karnataka, the event featured participation from over

200 brands represented by around 90 domestic and international exhibitors. Prominent players such

as RV Industries, Allen Cooper, PERF, Addsoft, Honeywell, Magnum, Reliance Retail, TVS Mobility, and

Woodland are exhibiting their latest products and services.

The expo showcased a broad spectrum of safe and healthy working environments, with companies

presenting their latest products, services, and solutions. These include hard hats, safety gloves, gas

masks, safety shoes, workwear, and safety harnesses, all under one roof. Supported by prominent

associations such as the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), Indian Technical Textile

Association (ITTA), Safety Appliances Manufacturers Association (SAMA), Electronics City Industries

Association (ELCIA), and WSHAsia, the event’s credibility is enhanced, reflecting a collaborative

approach to advancing workplace safety.

Mr. Mohammad Mohsin, IAS, Principal Secretary, Labour Department, Govt of Karnataka, said

“Industrialization has created unprecedented job opportunities, yet it highlights the urgent need for

safety and health measures. We prioritize engineering and administrative controls, utilizing AI and digital

training to mitigate risks effectively. Initiatives like the ‘Advancing Safety with Advanced Technology’

scheme have educated over 2,000 individuals through 11 seminars across Karnataka. The mission is to

instill a safety culture among the 18 to 20 lakh workers in Karnataka’s industries, integrating proactive

measures from school curriculums to industry leadership seminars. This initiative aims to prevent

accidents and promote safety across all sectors of society.”

Mr. K. Srinivas, Director of Department of Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety & Health, Government

of Karnataka, said “Preventing accidents is our foremost goal, and achieving this requires widespread

awareness among workers, supervisors, management, and industry associations. In Karnataka, there are

60 to 65 fatal accidents each year, with 30% resulting from falls from heights, underlining a pivotal area

requiring significant improvement. Adopting advanced technologies such as pole arresters can improve

workplace safety throughout Bangalore and Karnataka. The government is dedicated to supporting

accident-free workplaces through collaborative endeavors with stakeholders, emphasizing adherence to

labour laws, especially regarding contract workers and their needs for PPE and canteen facilities. With

robust governmental backing and ministerial leadership, our goal is to implement comprehensive safety

measures effectively.”

Mr. PK Goswami, Deputy Director, Labour Department, Delhi, said “Occupational health and safety

policies are integral to every industry, ensuring management’s commitment towards hazard

identification, control processes, and personnel training. Despite these policies being predominantly on

paper, their implementation remains crucial for achieving accident-free workplaces and employee well-

being. This responsibility spans across management, workers, government, and stakeholders, addressing

the unorganized sector where 90% of industries operate without proper safety oversight. India’s vast

industrial landscape comprises approximately 36.5 million registered factories, yet this figure represents

only a fraction of the actual industrial activity due to the exclusion of numerous small and unregistered

enterprises. Enhancing safety culture through comprehensive accident reporting, integrating with social.

Speaking on the 9 th edition of OSH South India, Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa

Markets in India said, “Occupational safety and health are fundamental human and labour rights. The

evolving industrial landscape has significantly impacted OHS, making it essential to ensure the well-being

of workers and create safe working environments. This is not only an ethical imperative but also crucial

for operational efficiency and productivity. OSH South India aims to review and showcase advancements

in workplace safety, integrating new technologies like data analytics, artificial intelligence, and the

Internet of Things (IoT) to prevent occupational diseases and promote safety solutions. In 2023, 78% of

Indian companies reported plans to increase their budgets for workplace well-being initiatives. Regular

safety training programs focus on facility operations, equipment handling, and road safety, while

companies also prioritise employee mental being. Technology is rapidly transforming the Health Safety

and Environment landscape, allowing for more efficient data collection, risk assessment, and incident

prevention.

“By featuring the latest innovations, live demonstrations, product showcases, and invaluable networking

opportunities, OSH South India stands at the forefront of driving industry standards and encouraging a

safer, more resilient workforce through innovation and collaboration” he added.