Safety of personnel is an important aspect of workplace environment and the responsibility of the employer. But not enough importance is given to this vital subject. In fact, in a book on Industrial Occupational Health & Safety published by Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), an autonomous organisation set up in 1988 under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, the preamble makes the following statement: “The lackadaisical attitude of the Indian policy makers has made the situation even worse. The enforcement of legislative measures and their active implementation is also very poor. So the need arises to develop a proper infrastructural status in India for occupational health and safety.”

But gradually some awareness is creeping in, especially in the organised sector. The constriction industry in urban areas is now seen complying with basic regulations, providing workers with PPE – personal protective equipment – safety helmets, apparel and harnesses, etc. According to a recent report, “Personal Protective Equipment Market by Type (Hand & arm protection, Protective Clothing, Foot & leg protection, Eye & face protection, Head protection, and Others) by Application (Construction & Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Firefighting, Mining, Food Industry, and Others) – Global Forecasts to 2020”, published by MarketsandMarkets, The PPE market size by value is projected to reach USD 52.4 billion by 2020, with a CAGR of 6.8% between 2015 and 2020. While the US, expectedly is the key market for PPE, the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for PPE during this period.

The increasing demand to work in risky environment, such as erection, repair, demolition, structural or routine maintenance, painting, land clearing, and earth moving, trenching, digging, boring, drilling, blasting, and concreting demands the use of PPE. The government has made mandatory policies for construction and manufacturing industry to follow the safety standard equipment to reduce accidents and uncertainties in industries. Oil and gas is the other key application area of PPE. The industry exposed to serious life threatening hazards. The stringent safety norms in the developed nations of Europe and North America drive the market for PPE. Moreover, the growing oil and gas industry in the Asia-Pacific region drives the market for PPE.

The growing awareness is also evident from the companies entering the segment, and events catering to the PPE and safety systems sectors. UBM India successfully conducted OSH India 2015 in November at Mumbai, the event, now in its 4th edition, witnessing 30% increase in visitors over previous year. The two-day show on Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) brought together internationally renowned exhibitors, consultants, business experts and key government officials on one common platform, to discuss global best practices and seek solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in workplace safety and health.

Speaking on the successful edition of the expo, Mr Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India Pvt Ltd, said, “The awareness around the significance of occupational health and safety compliances amongst Indian organisations has seen an immense rise over the years. With consistent emphasis by governments on developing infrastructure and providing workplace safety coupled with the rise in global investments in the sector, there lies a huge opportunity for the suppliers and service providers from across the world to showcase their product and solution offerings. Through OSH India, we provided the right platform to the industry to realise this opportunity.”

Among the dignitaries present at the inaugural ceremony of OSH India 2015 were Chief Guest Jayendra M Motghare, Director – Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, Ministry of Labour, Government of Maharashtra; Dr Avneesh Singh, Director General, Directorate General Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India; Dr Anup Rakshit, Executive Director, Indian Technical Textile Association, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India; Mr Varun Budhiraja, Director, Euro Safety Footwear India Pvt Ltd; Ms Kirsty Iliffe – IOSH Framework Strand Leader and Mr Reinhold Eisenbarth, Regional Segment Manager, Minning, Middle East/Africa/South west Asia & Regional Marketing Manager, Drager South Africa Pty Ltd.

OSH India 2015, in addition to giving an opportunity to health and safety suppliers and service providers from across the world to showcase their innovations and knowledge amidst an industry landscape of vastly untapped India market, featured a two-day conference to drive occupational safety and health as a priority for companies, whilst reiterating the significance and business benefits of investing in health and safety of its workforce, in-turn, its own organisation and the economy at large.

The participation of leading exhibitors from across the industry re-affirmed the need and focus of OSH India as an industry event. These included Euro Safety Footwear (India) Pvt Ltd (also presenting partner); Acme Safetywears Limited, Acme Fabrik Plastic Co, BATA India Limited, Drager Safety India Pvt Ltd, Joseph Leslie & Co LLP, Jayco Safety Products Pvt Ltd, Karam Industries, Kimberly Clark Hygiene Products, Lifegear Safetech Pvt Ltd, Honeywell Safety Products, Rahman Industries Ltd, Venus Safety & Health Pvt Ltd, Shree Lalita, E I Dupont India Pvt Ltd, Arvind Limited, Fall Arrest Systems & Technologies Pvt Ltd, Teijin India Pvt Ltd, Mallcom safety Pvt Ltd and Sure Safety as key exhibitors; and IOSH and NEBOSH as workshop partners.

Another event, IFSEC India 2015, also organised by UBM India, was held in Delhi in December. The 9th International Fire & Security Exhibition and Conference (IFSEC) India Expo 2015 was inaugurated by Chief Guest Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister, Govt. of Delhi amidst an august industry gathering including dignitaries like the Guest of Honour Maninderjeet Singh Bitta, Chairman, All-India Anti-Terrorist Front and Muktesh Chander, Special CP (Traffic), Delhi Police.

“We need better security systems this is somewhat mandatory in the current scenario. This kind of shows gives us to choose from a wide spectrum under one roof. I surely could sense that there is interesting equipment displayed that could be seriously considered for home security and public safety net,” said Manish Sisodia while inaugurating the show.

In the age of smart technology, to match the pace of the smart cities, need for smart security is of utmost significance. Analysts are of the opinion that the rise in terrorist activities, growing crime rates, data thefts, remote monitoring, growth of public infrastructure, increasing IT spending, government initiatives and increasing security spending are all boosting markets for surveillance systems in India. Against this landscape, as part of the world’s leading portfolio of security and fire safety events, IFSEC India provides an opportunity to its exhibitors and visitors to learn about the latest technology and industry trends and discover the best solutions to keep their business and clients secure amongst a showcase of products like CCTV and video surveillance, bio metrics & RFID, integrated systems, access control, cyber security, integrated systems, physical security, perimeter protection, fire detection systems, intruder alarms and fire alarms on display.

Speaking on the launch, Yogesh Mudras said, “UBM India’s objective for IFSEC India 2015, an offshoot of IFSEC Global, which has a legacy of over 40 years, is to bring to the forefront this need and in response, the required solution offerings based on new technology to strengthen security in these establishments. Backed by the success of its past editions, we are sure the 2015 edition of IFSEC India which has today undoubtedly become the pre-eminent authority on the global security and fire industry, will exceed industry expectations.”

Over 300 companies from 20 different countries from the security and fire participated in the 2015 edition. Premier Plus partners included Aditya, Autocop, Dahua, Enter, Hi-Focus, Hikvision, Lookman, Secureye, Securico, Tech Smart, Uniview and Zebronics. Premier partners included Acsys, Advik, Avtron, Com-Sur, Godrej Security Solutions, Honeywell, Infinova, Keeper, Messung, Milestone, MR Impex, Nitgen, Ozone, Panasonic, Starex Global and Wavesight.

The event was supported by the Asian Professional Security Association (APSA), ASIS International, British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and Electronic Security Association of India (ESAI).