Bhubaneswar: Work plays a central role in people’s lives. Therefore, work environments should be safe and healthy. Yet this is not the case for many workers. Every day workers all over the world are faced with a multitude of health hazards and even there are instances of fatal injuries. This, of course, prompted a number of legislations by government and a series of collective and concerted actions by industry stakeholders. Even so, we cannot afford to let up on our efforts. Workplace safety and health cannot be compromised and it needs to be given always a top priority, said Governor Dr. S.C. Jamir.
Inaugurating International Symposium on occupational Safety and Health-2018 “Vision Zero-From Problems to Practical Solutions” at Mayfair Convention, Bhubaneswar Governor said India’s construction and manufacturing industry is the country’s second largest employer and contributor to economic activity, after agriculture. But there is a darker side to this explosive growth. This industry is also one of the most dangerous. Because of the nature of the work, occupational hazards and exposures in construction and manufacturing are quite different from those in other industries. The Sector must be more prompt and prepared to ensure safety of those who work in its lowest rungs. Despite a decline in overall injuries thanks to continual prevention and intervention efforts, workers in the industry are still at high risk.
Occupational safety and health is a discipline with a broad scope involving many specialized fields. In its broadest sense, it should aim at: the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations; the prevention among workers of adverse effects on health caused by their  working conditions; the protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health; the placing and maintenance of workers in an occupational environment adapted to physical and mental needs; the adaption of work to humans, Governor added. This International symposium has been organized by the Labour and ESI Department, Government of Odisha in collaboration with German Social Accident Insurance and International Social Security Association.  Anu Garg, Principal Secretary, Labour and ESI Department, Prof. H.C. Karl-Heinz Noetel, President ISSA Construction Company, Germany, Er. K. Mohapatra, Director of Factories and Boilers, B.K. Sahu Former Insurance Commissioner, ESIC among others spoke in inaugural session. Governor released Souvenir and Safety Hand Book on Prevention on the occasion.