Safety Beyond Compliance: OSH
Safety Beyond Compliance: Goa CM Calls for Stronger Safety Culture at OSH India 2025
Posted by Niilesh waghela
Mumbai: Occupational safety and health are not just regulatory checkboxes but a moral responsibility tied to India’s economic growth and workforce resilience, said Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, at the inauguration of the 13th edition of OSH India Expo, South Asia’s largest occupational safety and health event, held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.
The three-day expo, running from September 16–18, 2025, has drawn remarkable participation, with 170+ exhibitors, 300+ brands, and over 1,500 products on display from 13 countries. The event has attracted 9,000+ visitors, 150+ delegates, and more than 50 speakers, reaffirming its stature as a central platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and industry collaboration in occupational safety.
Organized by Informa Markets in India, the expo carries the theme “Elevating HSE for a Globally Competitive Workforce”, reflecting the growing emphasis on health, safety, and environment (HSE) practices as integral to India’s industrial and economic future.
India’s PPE Market: A Growth Story
A key highlight of the event was the projection of India’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) market, which stood at USD 2.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.86%, touching USD 4.7 billion by 2033.
Dr. Sawant underscored that this growth reflects both a rising awareness of workplace safety and the strengthening of regulatory frameworks under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that initiatives such as the OSH Code 2020, Shram Suvidha Portal, and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana are not just policy measures but cornerstones of India’s vision for a safer workforce.
“In Goa, we have implemented factory health camps, worker safety training programs, and digital reforms in line with this national vision,” Dr. Sawant said. “A culture of safety is essential for sustainable growth. Let us work together to build a safer, stronger India aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.”
Voices from the Industry and Regulators
The event brought together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and safety advocates, all reinforcing the urgent need to embed safety as a cultural value rather than a mere statutory obligation.
Regulatory Perspective
Shri Ram Dahiphale, Additional Director, Directorate of Industrial Safety & Health (DISH), Government of Maharashtra, highlighted the department’s enforcement of the Factories Act, 1948 as a backbone for ensuring worker welfare.
“In factory environments, where people, machines, and materials intersect, risks are inevitable. Our role is to minimize those risks through regulations and by encouraging industry collaboration,” he said. “Platforms like OSH India amplify our efforts by spreading awareness, sharing knowledge, and inspiring action. Safer factories mean safer states, and ultimately a safer India.”
Industry Associations and Manufacturers
Shri Mahesh Kudav, President, Safety Appliances Manufacturers Association (SAMA), emphasized the organization’s nearly five decades of work in building India’s safety ecosystem.
“With the PPE market projected to double to ₹20,000 crore (USD 5 billion) within eight years, the role of MSMEs in driving this growth cannot be overstated,” Kudav said. “The focus must be on innovation, Make in India, and adherence to global standards. As legislation strengthens and risk awareness grows, SAMA is committed to fostering collaboration and technological adoption to improve workplace safety across industries.”
Corporate Commitment to Safety
Mr. Sanjeev Raina, Executive Director – Corp HSSE, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., stressed that safety should be viewed as transformational rather than transactional.
“Viksit Bharat rests on six fundamental pillars: health, education, environment, agriculture, technology, and infrastructure. Each of these must be integrated with safety,” Raina said. “True safety is built on sincerity, swift action, education, environmental responsibility, and the effective use of technology, always keeping the human being at the center.”
He emphasized that as India advances toward 2047, safety consciousness will not only enhance resilience but also ensure that growth remains pro-India, pro-people, and pro-planet.
Innovation, Startups, and Celebrating Excellence
OSH India 2025 also introduced several engaging initiatives that broaden the understanding of safety beyond equipment and compliance:
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Startup Pavilion – Showcased disruptive safety innovations by emerging enterprises.
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Innovation Zone – Offered a look at cutting-edge technologies driving HSE transformation.
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OSH Fashion Walk – Demonstrated how safety gear can combine utility with comfort and design.
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OSH Everywhere Campaign – Reinforced safety awareness in everyday life, beyond workplaces.
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OSH Gurukul Conference – Hosted thought leaders, academics, and practitioners for deep discussions on policy and practice.
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11th OSH India Awards – Celebrated organizations and individuals who demonstrated outstanding commitment to workplace safety.
These initiatives underscored that safety is not confined to heavy industries or factories but spans across construction, healthcare, transportation, and even the service sector.
Global Participation, Local Relevance
The expo’s international scope—with participants from 13 countries—reflects the interconnectedness of safety challenges and solutions. From advanced PPE technology to AI-driven monitoring systems, exhibitors showcased a spectrum of innovations catering to diverse sectors.
Yet, the emphasis remained firmly on India’s local context, where factors like rapid industrialization, growing MSME participation, and evolving labor laws make occupational safety a pressing priority.
NGOs and Social Impact
The presence of NGOs such as READ India highlighted the social dimension of safety, particularly its impact on worker families and communities. By addressing empowerment and awareness at grassroots levels, such organizations ensure that safety practices go beyond compliance to become embedded in societal consciousness.
The Road Ahead: Building a Culture of Safety
The recurring message across the sessions and interactions at OSH India 2025 was clear: India must transition from a compliance-driven safety culture to a values-driven safety culture.
The event closed its first day with optimism, reflecting how collective efforts from policymakers, regulators, manufacturers, corporates, and NGOs can converge to create a safer and more competitive workforce.
As the PPE market continues its upward trajectory and India positions itself as a global industrial hub, the integration of safety into the very fabric of development will be critical. The 13th OSH India Expo stands as both a platform and a symbol of this transformation—where compliance meets conscience, and safety becomes a cornerstone of Viksit Bharat.
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