The Goa government has said it will begin a new 'Boiler Attendant Course' to plug manpower gaps in hazardous industries.
The new course will be helmed by select ITIs in the State and was announced at the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Expo & Summit held earlier last week at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium.
The summit focused on aligning industrial growth with worker safety where Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stressed on industrial development resting on safe workplaces.
“Growth and safety are not trade-offs but are twins,” he told the delegates attending the two-day summit.
Over 800 participants, including industry leaders, safety professionals, and government officials participated in the summit where 65 exhibitors showcased protective gear, AI-based hazard prediction, gas detection, ergonomics, and connected safety technology.
ESIC officials pushed for full enrolment of organised and contract workers in social security schemes and highlighted medical benefits and accident compensation available under the law.
Accident prevention, fire safety, chemical handling, heat stress, mental health, and risks in sectors such as pharma, shipbuilding, tourism, and manufacturing were deliberated at the technical sessions.
The new OSH Code 2020 and “Safety Differently” approach were also discussed.
Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Pratima Dhond linked health and safety to productivity.
At one of the technical sessions, Dhond said: "Worker safety is a productivity issue. A healthy worker is 20% more productive. One accident costs lakhs and shuts production lines for days,” she said.
Dhond who currently heads GCCI, pledged sector-wise safety clinics, a Goa safety dashboard, and stronger safety culture led by CEOs.
The summit, was organised by the Chief Inspector of Factories & Boilers, which pledged to cut workplace incidents by half in three years using technology, training, and tripartite action.
