Upholding safety practices is non-negotiable for all our workforce. I am proud of the significant progress Vedanta has made in this area but we must and will do more – Anil Agarwal said
By Rusen Kumar
MUMBAI: Anil Agarwal led Vedanta Resources, a globally diversified natural resources company, aiming to be a Zero Harm, Zero Waste and Zero Discharge culture organization across the operations.
The London Stock Exchange listed firm has recently released its ninth Vedanta Sustainable Development Report for the year 2016-17, in which it has describe the detailed roadmap on zero harm culture.
“The Sustainability Committee is determined in the journey of achieving ‘Zero Harm’. We have progressed over the years and will continue to make ourselves a safer and a better company.”, report said.
Total – seven fatalities occurred in the reporting year (Iron Ore business – 1, KCM Zambia – 2, Hindustan Zinc Limited – 4). It has objective and target to be Zero fatal incidents and 22% reduction in Loss Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR).
While addressing second Sustainable Development Day in London, Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Resources emphasised on sustainable development – and said “a priority for the company and its subsidiaries, and the organisation’s mission to achieve the goal of zero harm, zero discharge and zero waste.”
In sustainable development report, in his message to stakeholders Anil Agarwal, Charmain, Vedanta Resource gave clear vision on Zero Harm. He says, “…At Vedanta, we leverage innovation and technology to harness the elements of natural resources and transform them to fuel progress and development, with a committed goal of Zero Harm, Zero Waste and Zero Discharge.”
“We are making our work environment safer. We have in place policies, standards and best practices to ensure the health and safety of Vedanta’s workforce. This year, we recorded our best-ever safety performance in terms of lost time injury frequency rate.”, Agarwal said.
“I am saddened that seven of our people lost their lives. Achieving zero harm continues to remain our aim. We rigorously undertake improvement interventions on safety processes among all our employees and contractors. Upholding safety practices is non-negotiable for all our workforce. I am proud of the significant progress Vedanta has made in this area but we must and will do more.”, he added.
Tom Albanese, Chief Executive Officer says, “A sustainable future is one in which growth and development are environmentally sustainable, human rights are protected, and benefits of progress are shared equitably amongst all the stakeholders. As custodians of the natural resource sector, we remain committed to the principle of Zero Harm to People and Planet and ensure that we leave behind a positive legacy for generations to come.
Report says “We believe that all injuries are preventable. Creating and maintaining a Zero Harm Culture is our aim as well as our call to action. To translate this vision into an effective safety strategy, we have a comprehensive HSE policy in place. The goal is to embed safety as a value and the task is helmed by our senior management.
Tom Albanese said, “This year, nearly 50% of fly ash from our operations was recycled, which we aim to continue in 2017-18 on ramped up capacity utilization of aluminium and power.”
The report outlined a significant positive impact to its stakeholders – community, investors, staffs and governments. Report has explained approach and disclosure towards triple bottom line principles – people, planet and profit
(Rusen Kumar regularly writes on CSR and Sustainability)
(Based on Vedanta Sustainable Development Report, 2016-17)
