About Liji Kunjumon
I'm Liji Kunjumon, serving as the Health and Safety Training Manager, EOSH Trainer, and Branch Manager at Bliss Global Occupational Safety Consultancy. My academic background includes a graduate in English and a diploma in Industrial and Construction Safety, and OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety. Additionally, I've obtained a commendable score in NEBOSH IGC and am currently pursuing IOSH Train the Trainer. I'm actively engaged in conducting on-site training sessions for leading companies such as Americana, TAV, etc. Notably, I've been honoured as the Best Trainer of the Year by TAV.
Growing up in a rural area surrounded by illiterate individuals, I encountered numerous challenges in pursuing my education. Witnessing my parents' struggle to provide me with quality education in a well-respected ICSE school ignited a strong determination within me to excel. Despite societal barriers and gender stereotypes, particularly prevalent in India where females often fear entering the field of Health and Safety, as they thought HSE is only for male, I made a personal commitment to become a Leading Lady in the HSE profession and inspire other women to join the field. In environments where I often found myself as the sole woman, such as in my safety background course and over 200 male students as I was the only lady facing challenges during my NEBOSH course, I embraced these situations as opportunities to demonstrate my competence and passion for safety, breaking barriers and paving the way for other aspiring female professionals.
List the Safety and Health achievements/contributions you have achieved in 2023.
Best Health and Safety Trainer of the Year Award: Honored with the prestigious title of "Best Health and Safety Trainer of the Year," recognising my dedication and excellence in imparting crucial safety knowledge and skills.
EOSH UK Trainer Approval: Being approved as an EOSH UK trainer stands out as a pivotal achievement in my career in 2023.
Highfield Trainer Approval: Successfully approved as a Highfield trainer, demonstrating proficiency in delivering high-quality safety training programmes endorsed by a reputable certification body.
European Safety Councils IDHSE Trainer Certification: Attained certification as an IDHSE (International Diploma in Health and Safety Engineering) trainer by the European Safety Councils, showcasing expertise in comprehensive health and safety instruction.
Conducted Rigorous Safety Training Sessions: Led extensive safety training sessions for employees more than 500 individuals across multiple organisations, prioritising areas such as hazard identification, risk assessment, and emergency response strategies. Also provided free webinar to HSE professionals.
Enhanced Safety Awareness and Preparedness: Through focused training initiatives, significantly boosted overall safety awareness among employees and heightened preparedness levels to effectively address potential hazards and emergencies.
Outline the Workplace Safety and Health initiatives that have been implemented by you in your workplace in 2023.
Developed and implemented tailored safety training programmes covering topics such as hazard identification, risk assessment, emergency response procedures, and ergonomic practices, and short trainings like machinery safety, fire, electrical safety, mock drills, etc.
Conducted regular inspections to identify potential hazards and ensure compliance with safety regulations and best practices.
Reinventing myself as a stress management trainer, I offer a sincere assurance to all workers that they can freely share their concerns and problems at any time.
Organised a new team to launch safety awareness campaigns utilising various mediums such as posters, newsletters, and workshops to promote a culture of safety among employees.
Established protocols for incident investigation and analysis to determine root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Facilitated the formation of safety committees comprising representatives from different departments to collaborate on safety initiatives, share feedback, and address safety concerns proactively.
Developed and implemented emergency preparedness plans, including evacuation procedures, first aid training, and communication protocols to ensure readiness in case of emergencies.
Ensured availability and proper utilisation of safety equipment and personal protective gear by providing training on their use and maintenance.
Introduced health and wellness programmes focusing on ergonomics, stress management, and promoting overall employee well-being to mitigate workplace-related health issues.
Implemented a continuous improvement process for safety by soliciting feedback from employees, analysing safety data, and incorporating lessons learned into future safety initiatives.
Fostered leadership involvement and commitment to workplace safety by regularly engaging with management, providing updates on safety performance, and securing resources for safety initiatives.
Describe and support in detail on how your influencing capability has assisted in the successful implementation of these initiatives.
My influencing capability has played a pivotal role in the successful implementation of Health and Safety culture in our organisation, these initiatives are by fostering collaboration and commitment from workers and other staffs at all levels of the organisation. Through effective communication and relationship-building, I've been able to articulate the importance of Workplace Safety and Health, gaining support from management, frontline workers, and safety committees alike. Also awarded as best employee of our company. By highlighting the tangible benefits of these initiatives, such as improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, and enhanced employee morale, I've been able to garner enthusiasm and participation from employees. Additionally, my ability to listen empathetically and address concerns raised by workers has helped build their trust and confidence, encouraging open communication and a proactive approach to safety. Overall, my influencing capability has been instrumental in creating a shared vision for safety excellence and driving collective action towards achieving our safety and health goals.
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.
To become a Leading Lady in the HSE profession and inspire other women to join the field has had a significant impact on safety and health management and performance within my workplace, community, and industry. By actively promoting diversity and inclusion in a traditionally male-dominated sector, I have helped create a more balanced and representative workforce, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. I have taken right decisions at the right time that made a drastic change in my profession. In my workplace, my presence as a competent and passionate safety professional has elevated the overall safety consciousness among employees. By serving as a role model for other women and breaking gender stereotypes, I have encouraged greater participation from female employees in safety initiatives and decision-making processes. This diversity of perspectives has led to more comprehensive risk assessments, improved hazard identification, and the implementation of targeted safety measures tailored to the needs of all employees.
Outside of my workplace, my advocacy for women in HSE has had a ripple effect within the broader community and industry. Through speaking engagements, mentoring programmes, and networking events, I have empowered aspiring female professionals to pursue careers in safety and health management. This has not only contributed to the personal and professional development of individuals but has also enriched the talent pool within the industry, leading to greater innovation and resilience in addressing safety challenges.
Overall, my initiative to champion diversity and inclusion in HSE has resulted in tangible improvements in safety and health management and performance, both within my immediate sphere of influence and across the wider community and industry. By harnessing the unique perspectives and talents of all individuals, regardless of gender, we have been able to achieve safety outcomes that are truly above and beyond expectations.
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.
In my opinion, the attributes of a safety influencer encompass a combination of leadership qualities, technical expertise, communication skills, and a genuine commitment to promoting safety and well-being. The lesson I've learned from my life is to confidently diverge from others' opinions, move on with your own decision, take risk, and create your own identity, which has led to my nomination as a WSH Asia award nominee.
Despite facing criticism and degradation for my decisions, I've stayed true to my path, knowing that one day, my actions will leave a lasting mark in history. I will never hesitate to embrace my identity and will portray myself as the queen of HSE. Let others discover themselves through my example and begin crafting their own unique identities.
Become A Great Leader: A safety influencer leads by example, setting high standards for safety and inspiring others to follow suit. I have consistently demonstrated leadership by actively participating in safety initiatives, taking ownership of safety programmes, and advocating for safety improvements within my workplace and community.
Technical Expertise: A safety influencer possesses in-depth knowledge of safety regulations, best practices, and industry standards. I have continuously invested in enhancing my technical expertise through certifications, training programmes, and staying abreast of the latest developments in safety management.
Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial for influencing others to prioritise safety. I have honed my communication skills to effectively convey safety messages, facilitate safety training sessions, and engage with stakeholders at all levels, fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration.
Commitment to Safety: A safety influencer is deeply committed to the well-being of others and consistently seeks opportunities to improve safety outcomes. I have demonstrated unwavering dedication to safety by proactively identifying hazards, implementing preventive measures, and advocating for safety resources and support.
Innovative Thinking: A safety influencer embraces innovation and creativity to address safety challenges and drive continuous improvement.
By consistently embodying these attributes and making a tangible impact on safety outcomes, I believe I am deserving of a recognition as a WSHAsia Safety Influencer Award Winner in this industry. Through my leadership, technical expertise, communication skills, commitment to safety, and innovative thinking, I have demonstrated my capacity to influence positive change and inspire others to prioritise safety and well-being.