Working Towards a Safer Tomorrow: The Importance of World Day for Safety and Health at Work

 

Safety and health have become a priority across the world. It is due to the unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak that has further led to active participation by governments, global experts, and companies in fostering occupational health and safety. Across industries, workers face many challenges and risks while working with heavy machinery, electric systems, and other equipment. Furthermore, the threats to workers’ safety and health must be addressed, from hazardous working conditions to exposure to high-powered electrical systems.

 

So, what are we doing for a safer tomorrow? By promoting events like World Day for Safety and Health at Work, addressing risks, and educating employees, we are creating a safer and healthier work environment for all.

 

At the enterprise level, we ensure robust occupational safety of our workers to build a positive work culture and reduce work-related injuries. Moreover, it helps our employees to understand and learn about accidents and other issues arising from work-related activities. On account of the same, STT GDC India, offers colocation, connectivity, and support services to businesses. Furthermore, we are dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and inclusive workplace; this ensures the safety and well-being of our employees.

 

The workers who operate data centre facilities are exposed to a range of potential hazards, making it imperative to have a thorough understanding of data centre safety measures to ensure their protection. Typical risks associated with data centres include environmental factors like extreme temperatures and elevated noise levels and the malfunctioning of fire suppression and electrical systems. We will now talk about how we succeeded in ensuring a workplace free of injuries across all operations.

 

Understanding the Role of Workplace Safety

 

Crises like COVID-19 have taught us that taking measures at workplaces can play a critical role in preventing and managing outbreaks. Implementing appropriate safety and health measures in the workplace can significantly contribute to limiting the spread of diseases, as well as safeguarding the well-being of workers and the community.

 

Having a work environment that is safe and promotes good health is crucial for boosting the well-being and productivity of employees, and it also plays a significant role in ensuring business continuity. Moreover, employers are responsible for providing their employees with a work environment that is free from hazards and ensuring that appropriate safety protocols are in place.

 

In addition to protecting workers, workplace safety measures can help minimise legal liability and reduce the associated cost with any mishappening at the premises. Moreover, by prioritising workplace safety, organisations can create a culture of safety that benefits everyone involved, from employees to management to stakeholders.

 

Since 2003, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has been observing World Day to emphasize the importance of preventing workplace accidents and illnesses. Observed on April 28th every year, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a global initiative aimed at preventing occupational accidents and illnesses. It serves as an awareness-raising campaign to draw international attention to the significance of the issue and the role of promoting a culture of safety and health in reducing work-related fatalities and injuries. Since then, the day has been commemorated every year with the aim of advocating for the prevention of occupational accidents and illnesses on a global scale.

 

The Importance of World Day for Safety and Health at Work

 

The importance of workplace safety cannot be overstated. World Day for Safety and Health at Work is important as it raises awareness about workplace risks, promotes safer work practices, and helps prevent work-related injuries and illnesses. Here are five reasons why the World Day for Safety and Health at Work is essential:

 

• Promotes awareness: The day raises awareness about the importance of creating safe and healthy work environment and the need to prevent occupational accidents and illnesses.
• Encourages action: The day encourages employers, workers, and governments to take action towards improving workplace safety and health.
• Saves lives: Promoting a culture of safety and health at work can help reduce the number of work-related fatalities and injuries, ultimately saving lives.
• Improves productivity: A safe and healthy work environment leads to increased productivity, as workers are able to work more efficiently and effectively.
• Supports sustainable development: The safety at work is an essential component of sustainable development, as it ensures the well-being of workers and the protection of the environment. For instance, a data centre company ensures that its workers are adequately protected from mishaps such as fires at the data centre. As a result, the environmental impact of potential accidents is significantly reduced.

 

What Safety and Health Mean for STT GDC India?

 

At STT GDC India, we consider Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) to be an essential part of our operations. Our primary objective is to provide a safe and healthy working environment for all of our employees, contract worker and vendors with the ultimate goal of achieving zero accidents and injuries. We have our commitment to OH&S into practice by implementing a Safety and Health Policy.

 

As a data centre operator, we have a comprehensive Occupational health and safety management system that focuses on two key aspects of our business:

 

• Our day-to-day operations, and
• New project builds.

 

In terms of our operations, we have established a Safety Committee responsible for identifying unsafe work practices and recommending improvements for safety and health. Additionally, we have a standard operating procedure (SOPs) for risk assessment that systematically evaluates our operations. It includes hazard identification, assessing the potential consequences of hazards, risk rating, and prioritisation. Our procedure also outlines control measures that we use hierarchically, including Elimination, Substitution, Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

 

Through our risk assessment process, we have identified that working at height, working in fire, and working in confined spaces are the primary health risks associated with data centre operations. As a targeted measure to mitigate these risks, we regularly provide safety training to all our permanent and contractual employees.

 

STT GDC India is committed to providing employees with a safe and healthy work environment. Ensuring safety and well-being is not only our foremost value but also the foundation of our business. STT GDC India demonstrates a strong commitment to its employees' safety through its principles and actions. With safety at our core, we are doing what's right for both people and the planet. STT GDC India has achieved ISO 45001 certification for effectively establishing and implementing a successful occupational (OH&S) Management System for all operational data centres. By adopting a methodical approach towards safety and well-being, we have accomplished 15 million work hours over the past 3 years without any lost time injury. At STT GDC India, we prioritise safety and well-being above all else. Talking about World Day for Safety and Health 2023, at STT GDC India, the safety of employees and the environment is of utmost importance, and we prioritise it primarily. Our safety-first mindset drives us to continually work towards achieving our goal of zero harm. To reinforce this commitment, we recently conducted Safety Week 2023 from 4th to 10 March with the theme "Our Aim Zero Harm". During the safety week, we organised interactive activities to raise awareness and emphasise on the significance of cultivating a safety-conscious culture. We organised various activities across all our operational data centres to build a safety culture every day. Hence, we are #BuildforSafety!

 

• Signed safety pledge with display banners.
• Kids drawing and rangoli competition with a safety theme.
• Storytelling competition and CEO townhall to promote safety and leadership.
• HR awareness session on safety and health of employees.
• Defensive driving training for all STT GDC India employees.

 

With 90% participation from STT GDC India’s employees and partners, safety week 2023 was a remarkable success. Through this event, we aimed to reaffirm our responsibility to prioritise safety and sustainability in all aspects of our data centre operations.

 

Identifying and Reporting Hazards and Safety Concerns of Data Centres

 

Workers, visitors, and the environment may face potential hazards and safety concerns in data centres. Identifying and reporting these hazards promptly is crucial to prevent accidents, injuries, or damage. Some of the common hazards and safety concerns in data centres include electrical shocks, fires, exposure to chemicals, slips, trips, and falls. Workers should be aware of the risks associated with their job duties and take necessary precautions to mitigate them.

 

Regular risk assessments should be conducted with appropriate control measures to identify hazards and safety concerns. Workers should be encouraged to report any unsafe conditions or practices they observe, including damaged equipment, electrical hazards, or blocked exits.

 

Reporting hazards and safety concerns should be a priority in any data centre operation. Workers should be aware of the reporting procedures and should report any concerns to their supervisor or designated safety officer immediately. Hazardous conditions should be addressed promptly to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in the facility.

 

In summary, identifying and reporting hazards and safety concerns is essential in maintaining a safe working environment in data centres. Regular risk assessments, worker awareness, and reporting procedures should be in place to ensure prompt reporting and resolution of any hazardous conditions.

 

Best Practices for Following Safety Protocols and Procedures

 

Following safety protocols and procedures is crucial for maintaining a safe working environment in data centres. Here are some best practices for ensuring that safety protocols and procedures are followed:

 

• Training and Education: All workers should receive thorough training on safety protocols and procedures specific to their job duties. They should be educated on the potential hazards they may encounter and the best practices for staying safe.
• Clear Communication: Communication is essential in ensuring that safety protocols and procedures are understood and followed. Clear signage and visual aids should be posted throughout the facility to remind workers of the safety rules and any hazards in the area.
• Regular Audits: Regular audits should be conducted to ensure that safety protocols and procedures are being followed correctly. These audits should identify areas where improvements can be made and determine whether further training is necessary.
• PPE: Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be provided to workers when necessary. This includes gloves, safety glasses, helmets, and other protective gear. Workers should be trained on the proper use and maintenance of PPE.
• Regular Maintenance: Regular maintenance should be conducted on equipment and infrastructure to ensure that they function correctly and do not present any safety hazards. Any malfunctioning equipment should be repaired or replaced promptly.
• Continuous Improvement: Safety protocols and procedures should be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary. New hazards may emerge over time, and protocols and procedures should be adjusted to reflect these changes.

 

At STT GDC India, we are committed to maintain our focus on health and safety throughout the year. We also look forward to working together to create a safe and healthy working environment for everyone.

 

Are you currently seeking safe and healthy colocation data centre services? If yes, then connect with STT GDC India today! With ‘safety first’ at our core, we prioritise your data and our workers' safety by implementing comprehensive safety measures.