MANAGEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AT STATE LEVEL

Management of safety and health at the state level is more complex than at the unit level. At unit level the problems are relatively simple and unit specific depending upon the type of industry. However at the state level the management of safety and health is not unit or industry specific and the instruments such as policies, legislation, etc. are required to be more comprehensive to take care of safety and health issues in all type of occupations. Apart from the Factories Act 1948, there are other legislations for providing a better work environment, safety, health and welfare facilities. These legislations are enforced by various state government agencies such as Directorate of Factories and Boilers, Labour commissioner, etc.

Education and training plays an important role in management of safety and health at state level and thus cannot be neglected. Non-government organizations (NGOs), voluntary organization’s, institutions and agencies engaged in safety and health are contributing in their own way towards the objective for giving the workers a safe and healthy work environment.

Safety and health at work is governed by variety of statutes in the state depending on the nature of work place, manufacturing activity and specific aspects of safety and health. Some of the important statutes are given below :

1. The Factories Act 1948

2. The Kerala State Factories Rules

3. Indian Boilers Act 1923

4. Kerala Boilers Rules

5. Indian Boilers Regulations

6. Dangerous machines (Regulations) Act

7. Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulations) Act

8. Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals

Rules 1989

9. Major Industrial Accident Hazards (Kerala) Rules, 1993

10. Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulation

11. Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Rules

12. Building and other construction workers Act

13. Indian Electricity Act

14. Indian Electricity Rules

15. Indian Explosives Act

16. The Petroleum Act

17. Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels Rules

There are different departments of Central Government and State Government entrusted with the responsibility of enforcement of these statutes. the efforts of the enforcement agencies are also supplemented by other organization’s such as training and research institutions, employers associations, employees associations, etc. in promoting occupational safety and health in the state.

8.1 DEPARTMENT OF FACTORIES AND BOILERS:

This department, under the Department of Labour and Rehabilitation at State Secretariat is looking after safety, health and welfare of workers employed in factories. The department is headed by Director, Factories and Boilers. In the state of Kerala, the Factories and Boilers are under the same Directorate unlike many other states in the country where the Boilers are looked after by the Chief Inspector of Boilers and the factories are looked after by the Chief Inspector of Factories. Thus in the state of Kerala the Directorate of Factories have to look after the enforcement of Factories Act 1948 as well as the Indian Boilers Act 1923. The inspectors with mechanical engineering background are also Boiler Inspectors.

8.1.1 Organization :

The organization functions under the Department of Labour and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Labour, Government of Kerala headed by Secretary (Labour). The Department of Labour and Rehabilitation is headed by Secretary (Labour) supported by Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary. Department of Labour and Rehabilitation is further divided into the Director of Factories and Boilers and Office of the Labour Commissioner. The Directorate of Factories and Boilers is headed by the Director and is assisted by 5 Joint Directors. One Joint Director(Medical) is exclusively for industrial hygiene and health. Out of Four Joint Directors one is stationed at Head Quarters and one each in the regions - Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Ammonia Plant FACT.. The Joint Directors are assisted by Senior Inspector of Factories, Inspector of Factories, Additional Inspector of Factories. The Inspector of Factories and Additional Inspector of Factories look after the respective areas allotted to them.The organisation is given below.

Legends :

8.1.2. Offices and Areas covered:

The state of Kerala is divided into 3 zones and 20 divisions. The zonal offices are located at Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode. Each divisional office is under the charge of one Inspector of Factories and Boilers and is assisted by Additional Inspector of Factories for the enforcement of statutes. The zonal offices are headed by the Joint Directors.

The state of Kerala has notified rules under the Factories Act for the Cashew industry and has a special officer for this industry in Kollam exclusively for the enforcement of Factories Act and Rules.

In addition to the above, the Directorate has a Technical Officer (Chemical) alongwith the Chemical Inspector at the state level. The Chemical Inspector and the Medical Officer assists the Joint Director in the 3 zonal offices. The directorate also has a safety cell.

8.1.3. Strength of the Directorate :

The Directorate is equipped with trained and experienced personnel Details are as given below :

Director of Factories Boilers - 1

Joint Director Factories Boilers - 4

Joint Director (Factorie4s Boilers (Medical) - 1

Sr. Inspectors - 8

Additional Inspectors - 23

Specialist Inspector:

(a) Medical - 4

(b) Chemical - 5

The directorate also has administrative setup as given below:

Administrative Officer - 1

Finance Officer - 1

Sr. Superintendent - 1

Head Statistician - 1

In addition to the above, the directorate also has supporting administrative and technical staff - head draughts man, librarian, chemist, accountant, typist, assistants, drivers, peons, etc.

8.1.4. Activities :

The different activities undertaken by the department are given below

8.1.4.1 Enforcement :

The Directorate enforces provisions contained in the following statutes:

(a) The Factories Act, 1948 and the Kerala State Factories rules

(b) The Indian Boilers Act 1923 and the Kerala Boiler Rules
(c) Payment of Wages Act

(d) Maternity Benefit Act
(e) Dangerous Machines (Regulations) Act

(F) The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules 1989

(g) Major Industrial Accidents Hazards (Kerala) Rules 1993

In addition, a separate office of Special Officer Cashew nut Industry is established at Kollam under this directorate for enforcing provisions of various statutes in cashew nut processing factories.

Inspection of processing factories, identification of unregistered factories, investigation of accidents, approval of plans, attending to complaints are some of the activities undertaken for effective implementation of statutory provisions.

8.1.4.2 Education and Training :

The Directorate also conducts education and training programs for increasing safety and health awareness amongst various target group from factories. Seminars and workshops are also organized to deliberate and discuss issues of safety and health and to come out with practicable solutions to the problems.

8.1.4.3Technical Advice and studies :

The Directorate renders technical and advisory services in the field of safety, industrial hygiene and occupational health. A separate cell is established, headed by Joint Director (Medical) to undertake these activities. Investigation into major accident is also carried out by this cell. Sometimes studies are also carried out in order to assess the statutes of safety and health at workplace.

8.1.4.4 Promotional activities :

In addition, the Directorate is also involved in organizing industry-enforcement authority meet, safety day celebrations, exhibitions etc. in order to promote workplace safety and health in factories.

8.1.5 Inspection activities :

The state of Kerala has a total of 17124 registered factories out of which 5192 are registered under Section 2(m) and 11932 are registered under section 85 of the Factories Act 1948. The inspectors from directorate inspected 4612 factories registered under section 2(m) and 10196 factories registered under section 85 during the year 1998.

8.1.6 Prosecutions and convictions :

The chapter 10 of the Factories Act provides for penalties and procedures for violation of the provisions. The analysis shows that the prosecutions have been carried out under the section 92 of the Factories Act. The section 92 of the Factories Act speaks about the general penalties for offences.

During the year 1998, 106 factories registered under section 2(m) and 73 factories registered under section 85 were prosecuted. There were 28 convictions under section 92 and fines of Rs.51,950/- were collected from factories registered under section 2(m). There were 23 convictions of the factories registered under section 85 and fines of Rs.1,68,250/- were collected. There were no penalty such as imprisonment under section 92 or section 96(A). The directorate also issued prohibition notices under section 40(2) section 87A to 3 factories registered under section 2(m) and 2 factories registered under section 85. Improvement notices under section 40(1) were issued to 4 factories registered under section 2(m) and 3 factories registered under section 85. Orders calling for test reports were issued under section 39 to 9 factories registered under section 2(m) and 1 factory registered under section 85.

8.2 OFFICE OF THE LABOUR COMMISSIONER :

This is another important department to protect the interest of workers for matters related to other than safety and health. The main objective of the department is to

1.Look after the welfare of the workers

2.To see that the facilities as per various statutes are made available to the workers

3.To look after the labour disputes and industrial relations

4.Registration of trade unions

5.To see functioning of various committees formed for the workers engaged in different occupations

6.To see the functioning of the Welfare boards

7.To carry out inspections, prosecutions and convictions for the violation of the provisions of various Acts enforced by the Labour Commissioner

8.To implement pension schemes for workers working in different occupations

9.To implement group insurance scheme

8.2.1 Organization structure:

The department is headed by the Labour commissioner and supported by 2 Additional Labour Commissioners - internal reform and enforcement. The Additional Labour Commissioners are assisted by 3 Regional Labour Commissioners in 3 regions in the state of Kerala and 4 Joint Labour Commissioners 1 each for Hydel electric project, Kakkad, Super Thermal Power Project, Kayam kulam, Ammonia Plant FACT, Lower Periyar Project, Idukki.. The Joint Labour Commissioners are supported by the Deputy Labour Commissioners and District Labour Officers and Assistant Labour Officers. The organisation structure is given below :

8.2.2 Activities:

The major activity of this department is to see the welfare of the labour working in all the occupations in the state of Kerala. The activities include enforcement of the following Acts:

Minimum Wages Act

Workmen Compensation Act

Shop and Commercial Establishment Act

Contract Labour Act

Bidi and Cigar Workers Act

Kerala Cultural Workers Act

National and Festival Holidays Act

Payment of Wages Act

Equal Remuneration Act

Motor Transport Workers Act

Head Load Workers Act

Maternity Benefit Act

Child Labour Act

Casual and Badli Workers Act

Inter-state Migrant Workers Act

The enforcement of the above Act aims to make available all the benefits to the workers engaged in different occupations and maintain the environment of peace and harmony in the industrial, construction and service sectors.

8.2.3 Offices and Areas covered :

The state of Kerala is divided into 3 zones viz. Kollam, Ernakulam and Kozhikode and each zone is looked after by Regional Joint Labour Commissioner. There is also a Chief Plantation Inspector stationed in Kottayam. The 4 Joint Labour Commissioners are exclusively looking after the 4 projects/plants each - Hydel electric project, Kakkad, Super Thermal Power Project, Kayam kulam, Ammonia Plant FACT, Lower Periyar Project, Idukki.

8.2.4 Inspections, prosecutions and convictions :

The department enforces various Acts for the welfare of people engaged in various occupations. The details of the inspections made under each Act, number of prosecutions and convictions for violation of various provisions of the Act for the year 1995-96 are given in Table - 1.

TABLE - 1

In addition to the state government agencies, the Directorate of Factories Boilers and Labour Commissioner which enforce the various statutes, there are other organization’s, institutions, agencies to supplement the efforts required to provide health services, training, education and awareness.

Some of such organizations, institutions, agencies identified in the state of Kerala are given below with their brief objective, areas covered and contract persons.

8.3 SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

Kerala State Committee on Science Technology was constituted in 1972 under the Government of Kerala which was latter reconstituted as Science, Technology and Environment Committee in 1984. The committee is headed by a Scientist/technologist Chairman who function directly under the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister. The other members of the committee belong to different disciplines and various departments and scientific organizations connected with the State Government, Central Government and eminent scientists and technologists attached to universities and such other academic institutions. STEC plays the role of a catalyst in bringing together the RD centres and concerned user agencies to identify field problems which can lead to ST solution. The main objective of the committee is to have constant review of scientific and technological policies in relation to the objectives of the successive five year plans. The committee is also responsible for the promotion of administrative autonomy for the state owned Research Laboratories and Research Institutes.

The main functions of Science, Technology and Environment committee are:

1. To advise Government on how to employ Science and Technology as
an effective instrument for social and economic change.

2. To identify and eliminate the existing bottlenecks of development by selecting and employing appropriate technology for industrialization in the corporate sector.

3. To foster, promote and sustain a spirit of Scientific enquiry and innovative entrepreneurship by properly planning and co-ordinating all activities in science, engineering and technology in the State in all its aspects.

4. To plan for quicker acquisition and wider dissemination of scientific and technological knowledge for the improvement of traditional industries.

5. To initiate and encourage planned programmes to train scientists and technologists to handle special problems in agriculture, industry and allied fields.

6. To monitor, guide and co-ordinate research activities etc.

7. To identify areas for application of science and technology to the development needs, objectives and goals of the State.

8. To advise Government in the preparation of Science and Technology Plans to the development needs, objectives and goals of the State.

9. To advise Government on all environment issues especially water and air pollution control, wildlife conservation, creation of environmental awareness through education, dissemination of information relating to environmental aspects, research and field action through specific projects, clearing of industrial and other developmental projects from the environmental angle.

Environmental activities are carried out by the Environmental wing of the Science, Technology and Environment Committee. This wing has a hospital waste and hazardous waste management committee and competent with monitoring working environment, training and education and workplace inspection. Some of the activities carried out by the wing during the last few years are :

1. Coastal Zone Management plan.

2. Environmental Awareness Champaign.

3. Study of urban waste.

4. Environmental Impact Assessment.

5. Bio village project.

Science, Technology and Environment Committee has a well maintained library having more than two thousand publications in the field of Science, Technology and Environment. Beside these publications library has well collection of video cassettes and films. The committee has also been publishing a number of booklet/brochures on environment. The organisation is headed by the Director.

8.3.1 Pollution Control Board:

Kerala State Pollution Control Board was set up in 1974 under Health Family Welfare Department, Government of Kerala. The Board is a statutory authority for planning, supervising and implementing comprehensive programmes for prevention and control of pollution in the State of Kerala. The board with its Head Office at Thiruvananthapuram has regional and district offices and headed by a Chairman.

The Board is the environmental protection authority and is responsible for controlling water, air, noise and land pollution for maintaining the wholesomeness of environment. The Board is competent in the areas of environmental protection, environmental monitoring, policy and standard, training educations, environmental legislations and laboratory analysis.

The statutory activities of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board are carried by more than 70 engineers and 50 scientist at time of reporting beside administrative support. The board has a library with good collection of publications, w ell equipped laboratory and mobile laboratory. The board has published a number of project report in the field of environmental protection beside regularly bring out quarterly newsletter on environmental activities. The Contact person is Member Secretary.

8.4 INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE DEPARTMENT

Industries and Commerce Department is comprised of three directorates namely Industries and Commerce Directorate, Handloom Directorate and Coir Directorate.

Except the coir sector, the industrial development plans in respect of all the other industrial sectors are implemented by the District Industrial centers headed by the General Managers or the Taluk officers under the control of General Managers of respective District Industrial centers. The developmental activities in the coir sector are undertaken by 10 Coir Project officers supervised by respective Project officers and 42 Coir Inspectorates under the control of the respective coir project officers. The department also takes care of OSH and other related issues especially in the coir and handloom sectors.

In the reporting year 1996-97 17,421 small scale industrial units were temporarily registered and 25,885 units were permanently registered. 41 sick industrial units were registered during the year 1996-97 and steps are taken to rehabilitate these units. 1236 units for female workers were also registered. in the same year. The Organization is headed by the Director.

8.5 DEPARTMENT OF EXPLOSIVE

The Department of Explosive is a department attached to the Ministry of Industrial Development, Government of India. The department with its head office at Nagpur has 5 Regional offices known as Circle Offices. Apart from regional offices there are a number of factory specific offices viz. at Bhandara attached to the Ordnance Factory. The Chief Controller of Explosives is the head of the department and function through circle offices. The Office of the Dy. Chief Controller of Explosive (Sub-Circle office), Ernakulam, Kerala was set up in 1981 and functions under the administrative control of the Regional Office at Chennai.

The Department of Explosive is entrusted with the administration of the Explosive Act, 1884, Petroleum Act, 1934 and Inflammable Substances Act, 1952. The sub-circle office at Ernakulam is a field office to carry out inspection of the various licensed and unlicensed premises coming under the preview of the acts and rules thereunder. Beside these activities it has additional responsibilities pertaining to grant of licenses in respect of the transportation of hazardous chemicals under Petroleum Rules, 1976. The sub-circle office is also competent in the areas of chemical safety, fire protection, training and education and workplaces inspection.

All these activities of the sub-circle office are carried out by the technical officers who are supported by the administrative staff. It has also a technical library for reference materials. The contact person is the Head of Office.

8.6 ELECTRICAL INSPECTORATE DEPARTMENT

Electrical Inspectorate Department is a separate agency of the Government was formed by the Government of Kerala in G.O(MS) No. 28/68/PW in 1968. The department with its headquarter headed by Chief Electrical Inspectorate has the District offices in every district in the State. The department has also a Meter Testing and Standard Laboratory at Thiruvananthapuram and 3 regional Testing Laboratories attached to the District Offices at Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode.

The main functions of the department are :

1. Technical Inspection such as Inspections of Electrical Installations of the licenses and K.S.E. Board under Rule 29 of the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956. Annual Inspections of all H.V. Consumer’s Installations and K.S.E. Board, Power Station, Sub-station etc.

2. Inspection of the account relating to the Electricity duty : Exercising the duties and functions of the Inspecting officers under Kerala State Electricity Duty Act, 1963 and the rules issued thereunder.

3. Issue of Competency Certificate, licenses etc., such as issue of Electrical Contractors License and Competency Certificate and permits to supervisors and wireman, issue of ‘C’

The Chief Electrical Inspector to Government of Kerala is a member of the Central Electricity Board, ETD Power. He is also member of the panel for examining documents of International Electro Technical Commission. The contact person is the Chief Electrical Inspector.

8.7 PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Department of Health Services functions under the administrative control of Health Family Welfare Department of Government of Kerala. The department is headed by Director of Health Services and has 14 District General Hospitals, 36 Taluk hospitals, 8 women and children hospitals, 3 mental hospitals, 3 Leprosy Sanitorium, 3 Sanitorium for chest disease, 51 Community Health Centers, 924 primarily Health Centers and 53 all type of dispensary. There are 3 T.B. Hospitals having beds 774 also functions under the department.

The main function of the department is public health care in a wholesome manner and the attainment of Family Welfare including maternal and child health care. The activities of the department centered round the programmes oriented towards preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitation aspect of public health. To carry out these activities a five tier delivery system function with Government dispensaries and those converted as a new Public Health Center to serve the population. Block primary Health Centers, Taluk headquarter Hospitals, Community Health Centers and Government Hospitals provide health services and treatment at different tier delivery system. Certain institutions function exclusively for special treatment of the cases of Leprosy, T.B., Mental disease etc. Beside these, the department also functions for the control of communicable disease, rendering of family welfare services including mental and child health services, implementation of national control/eradication programmes.

8.8 EMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE AND WORKMEN COMPENSATION DEPARTMENT

The Insurance Medical Services Department was earlier a part of Health Department. It started functioning as a independent department from 1^st April 1985 and all the ESI hospitals and dispensaries are now functioning under this department. The Insurance Medical services department is headed by the Director. The main aim of ESI is to provide all the facilities available under the ESI scheme to the workers. Approximately 5.24 lakh workers and their families have been benefited by the scheme so far.

In Kerala there are 13 ESIC hospitals, 136 dispensaries, 14 part-time dispensaries, 14 homeopathy units, 10 ayurvedic units for providing medical and financial assistance to the workers. Apart from this, an rehabilitation center attached to Perurkkada ESI hospital, blood bank attached to Ashram hospital, a cancer detection unit attached to Udyogmandal ESI hospital and an allergy/immuno-therapy clinic are operational. In order to make ESI scheme operational 51 local offices in Kerala and one regional office in Trichur are functioning.

In the reporting year 1996-97 5 ,24,003 workers were insured. 25,90,614 families and 22,82,376 workers were benefited from these dispensaries and 32,167 workers and their families were admitted in different hospitals. The Organization is headed by the Director.

8.9 FIRE BRIGADE

Kerala Fire Force was set up in 1963 under the Home Department, Government of Kerala to prevent the loss of life and property from the fire hazard. Beside the State Head Quarter at Thiruvananthapuram the Kerala Fire Force has 3 Regional offices at Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and KKD. It has also District Head Quarters station at every district in the State.

Kerala Fire Force is responsible for fire protection and rescue operation. These activities are carried out by 3018 technical officials supported by 142 administrative officials. The contact person is Commandant General.

8.10 EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATIONS

8.10.1 Confederation of Indian Industry

Confederation of Indian Industry - Kerala Chapter, Cochin was set up in 1885 under the Confederation of Indian Industry to advice the industries on various industry related issues. The association has State level Council with various sectoral panels.

The main aim of Confederation of Indian Industry is to advice the industry on all key relevant issues including occupational safety and health. The association is competent in the areas of technical guidance and training education. The association has in-house faculty for conducting training programmes and workshop. The contact person is the Executive Officer.

8.10.2 Kerala State Productivity Council

Kerala State Productivity Council was set up in 1959. It is a registered society having Government, Management and Labour as its members, and Minister of Industries of the Government of Kerala as president (ex-officio).

The aims of the council are to increase productivity by adopting productivity technique and by preventing occupational accident and diseases by providing Industrial Engineering Services such as work study, method study, job evaluation etc., and by training programmes and workshops. The council is competent with chemical safety, machine safety, fire protection, workplace inspection and training education. In relation to occupational safety and health activities the council provide technical guidance and training education. These activities are carried out by the professional and technical consultant supported by the administrative staff.

The council is equipped with the library having well collection of reference publications in the field of industrial safety health and reading room, training room and a conference hall. The council has also produced a number of materials on the above field. The organisation is headed by the Director.

8.10.3 Kerala Management Association:

Kerala management association was set up in 1956. The association is a single body and affiliated to All India Management Association, New Delhi. It is headed by a president.

The objectives of the association are management development and training education in the areas related to industrial relations, safety, health, environment, etc. The association address the economic sectors of manufacturing, transport, construction, electricity, gas water, financing, insurance, real estate and business services, social and personal services. The association is competent with the training education and information. It has library facilities and publish a quarterly journal. The contact person is the Executive Director.

8.11 EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATIONS (RECOGNISED BY STATE GOVERNMENT)

Ernakulam District Construction Workers Union was established in 1972 under the Indian National Trade Union Congress. It is a workers association engaged in construction sector. It has 14 member committee with general convener and joint convener on Occupational Safety and Health.

The association is competent in workplace inspection, occupational accident and occupational disease statistics. It conduct medical examination of the workers through health supervisors in connection of occupational safety and health. The association holds meetings and visits worksite every month. It regularly bring out periodical in this field. The contact person is the President.

8.12 NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION:

8.12.1 Loss Prevention Association of India Ltd

Loss Prevention Association of India Ltd It was established in 1978 with a aim to promote safety and loss control through education training and consultancy. LPA has been providing safety consultancy and advisory services to various organizations through professionals with expertise in the various technological aspect of loss prevention as well as in the field of mass communication.

The Association work involved both the educational and engineering aspect of safety. The main broad objectives of the association are :

* To publicize cause and magnitude of losses and create an awareness of the need

for loss prevention.

*To provide education, training, consultancy and advisory services.

* To build and maintain a data bank on loss prevention.

The Association is competent in the areas of Chemical Safety, Fire protection, Training education, Work place inspection Fire investigation.

Loss Prevention Association of India Ltd The association has produced over 15 films on various aspects of safety beside some safety posters. The association has well maintained library with good collection of publications on OSH. The contact person is the Officer Incharge.

8.12.2 National Safety Council of India, Kerala Chapter

National Safety Council of India, Kerala Chapter was established in 1968 under National Safety Council of India, Mumbai. The council is a tripartite body comprised of Government, Employer and Employee. The council is headed by a chairman.

The main objectives of the council are to make safety consciousness in industries and among the public by preventing accident including occupational accident and diseases. The activities of the council related to occupational safety and health are mainly accident investigation, safety equipment certification, technical guidance, training and education and workplace inspection.

The council is equipped with a well maintained library. It has also collection of Industrial Safety News and Industrial Safety Chronicle published by National Safety Council, Mumbai beside Suraksha quarterly journal produced by the council. The contact person is the Treasurer.

8.12.3 Indian Aluminium Company Ltd INDAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CENTRE

The Indian Aluminium Company Ltd The company has shown great concern over the health issues of its employees and therefore has set up an health center.

The INDAL Occupational Health Service Center, Cochin under the Indian Aluminium Company Ltd

The basic objectives of the center are to protect, maintain and promote the health of each and every employee by ensuring a health and hazard free work environment. The center is competent in the areas of training and education, laboratory analysis, occupational hygiene, occupational medicine, accident investigation and work place inspection.

The center is well equipped with the facilities of training room, chemical laboratory for analysis and library. Library has unique collection of more than 1000 publications on OSH. The center has both health professionals as well as technicians for carrying out the above activities. The contact person is the Manager (OSH).

8.13 INSTITUTIONS

8.13.1 Manpower Utilization and Safety Training Institute (MUSTI)

Manpower Utilization and Safety Training Institute (MUSTI) was setup in 1988. The Institute is a registered and non-profitable charitable society and only approved institute in all India level by Directorate General Factory Advice Service Labour Institutes (DGFASLI) for conducting specialized training course for prevention of chemical accident for supervisors of factories involving hazardous process as stipulated under Section 41-c(b) of Factories Act. The Directorate of Factories and Boilers, Govt. of Kerala has also approved the Institute to conduct specialized training programme on Workers Health and Safety at Work.

The Institute’s objectives are imparting training in various areas of human endeavour to develop positive attitude and motivate personnel engaged in production and related activities. The institute is competent in the occupational safety and health areas of chemical safety, occupational hygiene, fire protection, machine safety, training education, technical guidance and workplace inspection.

The Institute is equipped with the facilities of training room and library. It’s activities are carried out by faculty member on various disciplines supported by administrative officials. The institute has produced a large number of course manuals and course text books for specific training programmes. The contact person is the Executive Director.

8.13.2 Central Board for Workers Education

Regional Directorate, Central Board for Workers Education, Kochi, is a tripartite society and was established in 1958 by Ministry of Labour, Government of India to undertake workers education activities. The headquarter of the Board is located at Nagpur, Maharashtra.

The main objectives of the Board are to conduct training programmes on topics which help to improve the quality of worklife and to develop a positive attitude among all sections of employees.

The Regional Directorate is carrying out its activities through professional and education officers and is equipped with Library and training room facilities. Monographs, periodicals etc., on Occupational Safety Health are being published by the Regional Directorate.

8.13.3 Kuttukaran Institute for H.R.D.

Kuttukaran Institute for H.R.D. was set up in 1987 under the Kuttukaran Group of organisation. It is a non-government organisation and headed by a Director. The institute carry out its activities through school of management, school of automobile engineering, school of computer technology, institute of hotel management and school of fashion technology.

The objectives of the Institute are to provide excellent education to promote health, safety and occupational hygiene among the public. It has a committee on occupational safety and health. The institute is competent with the accident investigation, medical examination, training education, information and policy standard. In the occupational safety and health field the institute conducts periodical medical examinations among employees and students, arranging blood groupings and blood donation, conducts training programmes among student, staff and employees of various organisation.

The Institute is well equipped with the library, laboratory, training rooms and audio visual aids. It has also developed data base on occupational hazard surveys. The organisation is headed by the Director.