Article Text
Abstract
Changes in business narratives have been at pace, during the last few decades. Improved corporate governance, shift of focus from traditional economic performance to GRI mandated economic, environmental and social performances, commonly referred as ‘triple bottom line’ have brought perspective changes in the corporate world, globally.
While sharp awareness and concerted efforts on environmental front keep on gathering steam, it has become significant to substantiate and support the need to protect the people from the sources of immediate and acute harm. This is, in a way, influencing the alignment and advancement of ‘VISION ZERO’ with far reaching positive consequences across the industrial and service sectors, obviously in varying degrees.
Study of ‘Sustainability reports’ of the organisational journey have shown significant differences within various sectors and across the enterprises, mostly driven by strong leadership commitments towards HSE. These organisations have tracked the journey in tandem with business objectives and goals, while some of the entities displayed the need of granting more time and support to catch-up.
Construction industry, which contributes around 7% to 10% of GDP, is among the most risky businesses as per several studies across the globe. Emerging economies with increasingly higher share of GDP, have registered enhanced contribution of incident and injuries.
Several challenges, including demographics and infrastructure related aspects, spanning from organisational factors to people related issues, impact the journey. At micro levels, local management, equipment and crew, fitness and suitability of all for the specific worksites, hugely matters.
Journey forward for higher level of achievement shall naturally be dependent on multiple factor, primarily though on sustained leadership from government, industry and labour organisations.