National Safety Day 2024 in India: Focus on Safety Leadership for ESG Excellence
Safety is not just a priority, it’s a responsibility. National Safety Day 2024 is a reminder to all of us that we have a duty to keep ourselves and others safe.
National Safety Day 2024 in India is a call to action for individuals, organizations, and governments to work together towards creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone.
1. National Safety Day 2024 in India:
National Safety Day is celebrated on 4th March every year in India to promote safety, health, and environmental practices in the workplace, homes, and communities.
The National Safety Council of India (NSCI) started this initiative in 1972 to encourage individuals and organizations to take proactive measures to prevent accidents and injuries.
2. The Significance of the National Safety Day Celebration:
Some of the significant reasons for celebrating National Safety Day are:
- It provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of safety in our daily lives. It reminds us that accidents and injuries can happen anywhere and anytime, but with the right safety measures in place, we can prevent them from occurring.
- It highlights the efforts made by various organizations to create a culture of safety in India. This includes implementing safety policies, providing safety training, and adopting safety equipment to prevent accidents and injuries.
- Also, this day is a call to action (although it requires every day not only just on this day) for individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to work together towards creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone.
3. History of National Safety Day:
As explained above we celebrate National Safety Day in India each year on 4th March. But a question comes to mind; why 4th March? We must look back in time to understand the history and get the answer to this question.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India (GOI) organised a conference on Industrial Safety in Delhi from 11th to 13th December 1965 with the President of India Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan in attendance.
There was a consensus in favour of setting up National and State Safety Councils to promote safety awareness in the country by the participating members in the conference including but not limited to the Government of India (GOI), State Governments, Employers’ Organisations, Trade Unions and other Institutions.
Following this event, the 24th Session of the Standing Labour Committee accepted the proposal concerning the constitution of the National Safety Council (NSC) in February 1966.
Accordingly, National Safety Council (NSC) was set up on 4th March 1966 by the Ministry of Labour, Government of India and registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
The National Safety Day program was established on 4th March 1972 to commemorate the founding anniversary of the National Safety Council and since then is celebrated every year on this day.
4. The Objectives of National Safety Day:
- Promote safety, health and environmental awareness in the workplace, homes and communities.
- to take Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) movement to different parts of the country.
- To ensure the participation of different industrial sectors at different levels.
- To bring into the fold of voluntary Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) movement sectors, which have not so far been statutorily covered.
- To remind employers, employees and others concerned of their responsibility in making the workplace safer.
- To promote the development of need-based activities, self-compliance with statutory requirements and professional SHE management systems at workplaces.
5. What is the Theme of National Safety Day 2024:
Each year, National Safety Day is celebrated with a theme. The first National Safety Day (NSD) campaign was launched in 1972 and has been held annually since then.
Although the name is National Safety Day, March 4, but the safety awareness campaign is organized for a week from March 4 to 10.
The campaign includes raising awareness among workers, the community, and schools, organizing safety posters and slogan competitions, safety demonstrations and many other participative activities throughout the nation.
This year is the 53rd campaign and the theme of the National Safety Day 2024 is “Focus on Safety Leadership for ESG Excellence“
Previous year (i.e. 52nd) campaign and the theme of the National Safety Day 2023 was “Our Aim – Zero Harm”.
6. Purpose of National Safety Day Theme 2024:
National Safety Day serves as a pivotal moment to raise awareness and reaffirm our commitment to fostering a robust safety culture within workplaces and communities nationwide.
As explained in the National Safety Council’s (NSC’s) circular; this year’s theme has been derived to align the NSC’s activities towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). To keep the workers safe and protect the environment which is reflected in Goal No. 9 of SDG and mainly focuses on “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”.
The 2024 theme, “Focus on Safety Leadership for ESG Excellence” marks a significant shift in approach, emphasizing the critical role of proactive leadership in driving sustainable safety practices.
Let’s break down the key elements of this theme:
6.1 Safety Leadership:
The theme moves beyond simple awareness and places the onus on leaders at all levels to champion safety. This translates into setting clear expectations, providing resources, empowering employees, and actively demonstrating that safety is a non-negotiable priority.
6.2 ESG Excellence:
ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance. It’s a framework for companies and organizations to measure their impact on the environment, their social responsibility efforts, and the effectiveness of their governance structures. By linking safety leadership with ESG, we recognize that workplace safety is essential to achieving broader sustainability goals.
6.3 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
The United Nations Development Programme’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a global blueprint for a more equitable and sustainable future. The 2024 National Safety Day theme aligns beautifully with SDG no. 9 i.e. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
Building resilient infrastructure, promoting innovation and ensuring sustainable industrialization are impossible without prioritizing worker safety and environmental protection. Safety leadership is essential for building industries that serve society responsibly.
7. Why Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Matters:
Traditionally, safety initiatives were often viewed in isolation. The 2024 theme underscores the interconnectedness of safety with environmental stewardship, social responsibility and overall organizational success. Key benefits of this approach includes:
7.1 Reduced workplace injuries and fatalities
Proactive safety leadership can foster a culture where risks are identified and addressed, leading to fewer incidents and healthier workers.
7.2 Environmental Protection:
Companies with robust safety cultures are more likely to implement sustainable practices that minimize environmental impact.
7.3 Enhanced Social Reputation:
Companies that prioritize safety and ESG principles are seen as responsible corporate citizens, boosting their image and attracting socially conscious talent and customers.
7.4 Long-term Sustainability:
By integrating safety into ESG frameworks, organizations position themselves for resilience and long-term success in a world increasingly focused on responsible business practices.
8. Activities for Celebrating National Safety Day 2024:
National Safety Council has suggested several activities which can be performed throughout the campaign week (04th March to 10th March). Some of the activities are:
- Organizing Public Functions, Seminars, discussions and debates around safety measures, issuing appeals/messages.
- Organizing One-act play/drama, songs, and encouraging kids to participate in them.
- Organizing Safety competitions – Essays, Slogans, Posters, Housekeeping, Safety Performance, etc.
- Organising emergency drills.
- Inviting eminent guest speakers to share their valuable knowledge on the importance of following safety protocols.
- Organizing Community Awareness Programmes.
- Advertisement of Safety on local T.V. channels and local newspapers.
- Writing articles on the importance of safety in local newspapers.
National Safety Day 2024 is an opportunity to create awareness about the importance of Safety, Health and Environmental aspects as well as security at workplaces, on roads, at public places, in our community, at home and during emergencies.
Creating a safety culture is crucial to ensure that safety becomes a part of not only the organizational culture but the way we live at home and in society. Therefore, it is essential to work together towards creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone.
Click the link to read more topics on 2024 Calendar and Important Days for HSE Professionals.
For future updates, suggestion and discussion, please connect with us on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.
My name is Brijesh Kumar and I am a freelance HSE professional, who is committed to helping organizations to cultivate a proactive safety culture and ensure compliance with industry standards. With a Master’s degree, NEBOSH qualification, a mechanical engineering background and over two decades of hands-on experience, we offer tailored solutions to address your unique HSE challenges. To know more about our HSE Services, please visit the About Us or HSE Services webpage.
Leave a Reply