National Safety Day – 4 March

National Safety Day (राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा दिवस) is celebrated on 4th March in India with the main aim of preventing industrial accidents and creating wise spread safety awareness. The day marks the founding day of the National Safety Council (NSC) which was founded on 4th March 1966, by the Ministry of Labour. The National Safety Council was set up to generate, develop and sustain a voluntary movement on Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) at the national level.

The theme for National Safety Day 2023 was “Our Aim – Zero Harm”.

The National Safety Day began to be observed as a national annual event in 1972 taking care of three core areas of the labor community i.e. safety, health, and environment (SHE). The main objective of observing the day is to reduce the rate of industrial accidents and to assure safety through legislation of labor and practical measures in all three core areas.

The National Safety Council of India carries out various activities like organizing and conducting specialized training courses, conferences, seminars & workshops; conducting consultancy studies such as safety audits, hazard evaluation & risk assessment; designing and developing HSE promotional materials & publications; facilitating organizations in celebrating various campaigns e.g. Safety Day, Fire Service Week, World Environment Day.

National Safety Week (4-10 March) or National Safety Day (4 March) is celebrated by various government, non-government institutions as well as health departments, and various industrial organizations. They make people aware of national security through various programs and different promotional materials. Further, these programs are made available to people through various electronic media magazines, newspapers, and other industrial magazines. Various essay and debate competitions, safety prize distribution, seminars, banner exhibitions, sports competitions, with respect to safety, health, and environment are organized.

People are made aware of their own safety, so everyone should take special care of security-related matters and understand their importance. People are made aware of many ways of protection so that they can defend themselves in adverse situations. They are also made aware of safety in the industrial sector, women’s safety, road safety, protection from diseases caused by adulterated foods.

Many PSUs like SAIL, BHEL, HPCL, ONGC, etc organize safety programs for workers at industrial units nationwide on the occasion of National Safety Day. Various training programs are organized for industrial workers on the issue of safety so that they can understand their responsibilities better. In this training, they are given knowledge of dealing with various machines, chemical and electrical risks, and various safety equipment like fire extinguishers, first aid, etc.

Objectives

to take the Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) movement to different parts of the country.
to achieve the participation of major players in different industrial sectors at different levels.
to promote the use of a participative approach by employers by involving their employees in SHE activities.
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to promote the development of need-based activities, self-compliance with statutory requirements, and professional SHE management systems at workplaces.
to bring into the fold of voluntary SHE movement sectors, which have not so far been statutorily covered.
to remind employers, employees, and others concerned about their responsibility in making the workplace safer.
In summary, the above objectives are part of an overall goal of creating and strengthening SHE culture in the workplace and integrating the same with the work culture.
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Activities

Public Functions, Seminars, discussions, and debates, issuing appeals/messages.
Release of sports films on SHE issues.
Participation of the Union Labour Minister and top officials of the Ministry of Labour; NSC Chairman and Senior Officials; Senior Executives from Industry; National level Trade Union Leaders and Eminent Personalities from institutions/NGOs and public.
Doordarshan’s National Network and regional kendras, All India Radio stations, and the national/regional press providing coverage to the important functions/ activities held during the week.
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Council’s Chapters, State Factory Inspectorates, and Industry Associations bring out supplements in English and regional language newspapers.
Administration of Safety Pledge by the employees. The model text of the Safety Pledge designed, developed, and distributed by the NSC.
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The unfurling of the NSD Flag.
Pinning of the NSD badge on employees.
Banners displayed at strategic locations in the units.
Safety competitions – Essay, Slogans, Posters, Housekeeping, Safety Performance, etc.
Safety suggestions.
Exhibitions.
One-act play/drama, songs, quawalis.
Training Programmes/Workshops/Seminars, etc.
Screening of safety films in units/employee colonies.
Practical demonstrations on PPE/Fire Fighting, etc.
Organizing emergency drills.
Display of Mobile Exhibition.
Holding award functions.
Invite eminent guest speakers.
Community Awareness Programmes.