@ Vikas Sharma | Sr Journalist
New Delhi – The International Copper Association of India (ICA India) in partnership with Chief Electrical Inspectorate Division of CEA and BIS organized the fifth edition of The National Workshop on Electrical Safety. This year the workshop focused on “Emerging Challenges in Electrical Safety”, and saw presentations and discussions on ways to promote a safety culture for an accident & injury free use of electricity. The workshop was inaugurated by Shri. Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Govt. of India, Shri. P S Mhaske, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority, Smt. Surina Ranjan, DG, BIS, Shri. Sanjeev Ranjan, MD, ICA-India and Shri. Ravindra Gupta, CE and CEI, Central Electricity Authority.
Elaborating on the subject Mr. Sanjeev Ranjan, Managing Director, International Copper Association India (ICA India) said, “Electricity is everywhere, and it affects every aspect of our lives. Awareness of electrical hazards is vital in reducing the increasing number of electrical fires, injuries, and deaths that occur every year. By understanding key electrical safety principles and following safe practices, many electrocutions and fire accidents can be prevented.” He further added, “We at ICA India promote the use of right size wiring for safer homes and workplaces through consumer and industry awareness initiatives on the electrical issues and risks and what better way to reach out to the masses than a platform like “National Workshop on Electricity Challenges in Electrical Safety .”
The seminar focused on electrical safety regulations and standards, electrical safety in high-rise buildings and hilly regions and the safety requirements for EV charging infrastructures. The workshop provided platform for interactive sessions between policy makers, law-enforcing bodies and other stakeholders. ICA India has state-of-the-art programs that address current safety trends and has always provided innovative training solutions for the electrical industry. With this campaign, ICA India now spreads awareness to drive the initiative of ‘Power for All’.
During workshop The safety standard IS: 732 (Code of Practice for Electrical Wiring Installations) was inaugurated by Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Secretary, MoP, Smt. Surina Rajan DG, BIS and Sh. P S Mhaske, Chairperson, CEA .The standard covers the dos and don’ts and safety measures to be taken by common people during lightening.
In the subsequent session of the workshop there was panel discussion around the need for improvement of the electrical safety environment in the country where CEA unveiled a safety handbook called ‘SACHET’ which discusses the dos and don’ts of safe use of electricity. CEA also announced a monthly awareness program called ‘SHRINKHLA’, wherein one awareness generation program will be conducted each month in a city/town of a selected state to sensitize the masses about electrical safety.
On the occasion Shri. P S Mhaske, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) said “CEA is committed in its endeavor to work towards the betterment of the electrical safety environment in India and as a part of this commitment every year, we organize the national workshop on electrical safety addressing different challenges related to electrical safety. This year we have not only discussed the emerging challenges in electrical safety but have also gone a step ahead by introducing the monthly awareness program called ‘SHRINKHLA’ to expand our reach to the larger mass.”
This workshop saw participation of about 140 delegates from across Ministry of Power, Chief Electrical Inspectorates, Public Works Department, Bureau of Indian Standards, and the industry at large. Efficient electrical infrastructure ensures better productivity consequently growing the economy. With this in mind ICA India along with CEA & BIS decided to take the initiative to sensitize all the stakeholders about the issues and ways to best implement the technology and technical practices available for laying the foundation of ‘Zero Tolerance’. The efforts will be towards the larger vision of electrical accident free industrial infrastructure.