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Name: Ajay Manhas
Country: Kuwait
Country: Kuwait
About Ajay Manhas
In 2023, I successfully established a comprehensive Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) management system for my organization. Through the effective implementation of this system, which encompassed risk assessment, safe work procedures, training, and audits, we achieved zero Lost Time Injuries (LTI) in our operations throughout the year.
List the Safety and Health achievements/contributions you have achieved in 2023.
In 2023, I successfully established a comprehensive Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) management system for my organization. Through the effective implementation of this system, which encompassed risk assessment, safe work procedures, training, and audits, we achieved zero Lost Time Injuries (LTI) in our operations throughout the year.
Furthermore, I actively participated in the OSH India Summit held in New Delhi in January 2023, where I presented a paper on 'Promoting Safety Culture through Behavior-Based Safety'. Additionally, I attended the Asia HSE Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October 2023. During this summit, I shared insights on the management of occupational health risks and best practices in process safety management.
Participating in these forums allowed me to network with leading HSE professionals and contribute to spreading awareness on important HSE topics among fellow professionals in the region.
Outline the Workplace Safety and Health initiatives that have been implemented by you in your workplace in 2023.
In 2023, I led several significant workplace safety and health initiatives within my organisation. Among these initiatives, a primary focus was on implementing a digital online permit-to-work system for high-risk tasks, including confined space entry, working at heights, and hot works. This ensured that sufficient safety measures were in place before commencing such tasks, enhancing coordination among various teams. Additionally, I concentrated on establishing best practices in machine guarding in accordance with emerging technology and lockout-tagout procedures to prevent inadvertent energisation.
Regular safety inspections and audits were carried out to ensure adherence to standards. Furthermore, we developed an extensive safety training matrix tailored to provide role-specific training to employees, covering topics such as hazard identification, risk assessment, incident investigation, and emergency response. To encourage active employee participation, I introduced a near-miss reporting and suggestion scheme.
Overall, the adoption of internationally recognised best practices in process safety and occupational health significantly bolstered our safety management endeavours.
Describe and support in detail on how your influencing capability has assisted in the successful implementation of these initiatives.
As the head of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE), the successful implementation of new safety initiatives necessitated collaboration with multiple stakeholders across various departments. My capacity to influence others through effective communication and engagement played a pivotal role. I adopted a collaborative approach, engaging in discussions with department heads to address any concerns and secure their support in cascading initiatives to their respective teams.
During training programmes, I emphasised the 'why' aspect to effectively communicate the significance of the initiatives and inspire voluntary behaviour change. Furthermore, I collaborated with shop floor employees to comprehend ground realities and tackle resistance to change. Regular safety talks were conducted to acknowledge positive cultural shifts and promote participation.
My credibility as a leader, coupled with practical knowledge, facilitated advocacy for initiatives to both management and workers. Additionally, I cultivated a network with industry peers to benchmark best practices and address skepticism through evidence-based advocacy.
Describe and provide support on how your initiative impacted the Safety and Health management and performance of your workplace/community/industry that was above and beyond.
The initiatives I spearheaded had a profound impact not only within my organisation but also extended to our community and the wider industry. We achieved a remarkable benchmark with a lost time injury frequency rate of zero, significantly below the industry average. This achievement was acknowledged with an award for excellence in safety management from the State Safety Council.
Employees demonstrated heightened ownership in safety, fostering an enhanced reporting culture. Moreover, my efforts in workforce engagement led to the establishment of a collaborative industry safety group. This platform facilitated the exchange of best practices among peers and fostered safety dialogues. Serving as the group's coordinator, I played a key role in streamlining safety compliance across multiple sites through unified systems.
Our initiatives served as a model for other firms to emulate, and I also provided mentorship to start-ups on developing tailored safety management programs. Through contributions to publications, conferences, and training programmes, I advanced the regional safety agenda. This recognition amplified the influence of our initiatives beyond the confines of a single organisation.
In your opinion, what are the attributes of a safety influencer? Do share with us on how you have demonstrated these attributes in your daily work that will earn you the recognition of a WSHAsia Safety Influencer Award Winner in your workplace/community/industry.
An effective safety influencer embodies passion, knowledge, and a steadfast commitment to fostering a positive safety culture. Leading by example, they personally demonstrate safety behaviours and actively engage others in promoting safety. Adept communicators, they can simplify complex safety concepts for diverse audiences and persuade stakeholders through empathy and evidence-based advocacy. Continuously seeking to learn, they stay updated on industry best practices and drive innovation in safety solutions.
In my work, I have epitomised these qualities. I approach safety challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset and am readily available to address safety issues. I ardently advocate for safety on all fronts, whether it be during trainings, toolbox talks, or individual discussions. Through networking, I share knowledge to enhance the competence of others in the field. By fostering trust as an accessible leader, I inspire behavioural change. My efforts in empowering the workforce and fostering collaboration have elevated safety management standards, earning recognition across the industry as a role model for safety.