Case Studies

I understand that you have a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery. You now use the skills and knowledge gained from your medical studies to work as a Factory Medical Officer (FMO). What motivated this decision?
My decision to work as a FMO reflects my wish to use my medical expertise to have a meaningful impact on workplace health and safety. I use my specialised occupational health knowledge and general medical expertise to promote the wellbeing of employees and support the overall health of the organisation. The positive impact my work has is a source of immense personal satisfaction. Using my training in this way has also helped me continue to develop professionally too. By choosing this path, I am not just providing medical care but am actively shaping a safer and healthier industrial environment. I am delighted that my role gives me the opportunity to make such an impactful contribution to society.

What does your role as FMO entail?
As a FMO my work is focused on ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of factory employees. To achieve this I have a variety of responsibilities including:

Primary responsibilities:

• Medical care and first aid
• Occupational health monitoring
• Health education and promotion
• Emergency preparedness

Safety and compliance responsibilities

• Workplace safety inspections
• Regulatory compliance
• Health risk assessments

Administrative and collaborative duties

• Policy development and review
• Incident investigation

Specialised contributions

• Mental health support
• Environmental health oversight

By fulfilling these duties, I am not only ensuring compliance but am also helping to create a supportive environment where employees feel valued, safe and cared for, which ultimately contributes to their wellbeing and organisational success.

You work for one of the largest primary producers of Aluminium in Asia. Can you tell us a little about the company and its approach to health and safety?
My employer  is an industry leader in the manufacture of aluminium and copper. The organisation places a strong emphasis on health and safety across all its operations in India. Its safety and occupational health policy, underscores its commitment by integrating safety and health considerations into every aspect of its business.

Key features of this safety and occupational health policy include:

• Zero harm commitment: The company is dedicated to ensuring that all its employees, contractors and visitors operate in a safe environment, striving for zero incidents and injuries.
• Compliance and beyond: The company not only adheres to all relevant health and safety laws and regulations but also implements best practices to exceed standard compliance requirements.
• Continuous improvement: Regular assessments and audits are conducted to identify potential hazards, with proactive measures taken to mitigate risks.
• Training and awareness: Employees receive regular training to stay informed about safety protocols, emergency procedures and the importance of maintaining a safe workplace.
• Stakeholder engagement: The company actively involves all its stakeholders, including employees, contractors and the community, in its health and safety initiatives to foster a culture of safety.

In addition to its overarching safety and occupational health policy, the company strives to address specific aspects of workplace safety. For instance, the alcohol and contraband policy enforces a zero-tolerance stance on the use or possession of alcohol and illegal substances within work areas. These comprehensive policies and proactive measures reflect the organisation's unwavering commitment to health and safety which aim to create a safe and healthy workplace for all.

Do you have much interaction with health and safety colleagues in the organisation?
Yes, as a FMO, I find collaboration with my health and safety colleagues is critical. Some of the key areas where we work together include:

• Hazard identification and risk assessment: I collaborate with safety officers to identify workplace hazards, such as exposure to chemicals, ergonomic risks, or machinery-related dangers. I provide medical insights into how these hazards might impact employee health and recommend mitigations.
• Incident investigation: we work together to investigate workplace accidents, injuries and near misses. I contribute to root cause analysis by providing medical perspectives on the effects of incidents and suggest preventive measures.
• Health and Safety Training: I partner with health and safety colleagues to develop and deliver training programs on first aid, emergency response, and occupational health risks. I also support awareness campaigns on topics such as personal protective equipment (PPE), stress management and hygiene.
• Policy Development: I help to formulate and update health and safety policies, ensuring alignment with medical and legal standards. I also provide guidance on integrating health considerations into safety protocols.
• Emergency Preparedness: we collaborate on emergency planning and associated training, including fire drills, evacuation protocols, and response strategies for chemical spills or medical emergencies.
• Regulatory Compliance: we work together to ensure compliance with legislation such as the Factories Act. Reports and documentation are jointly prepared for audits and inspections by government authorities.
• Health Surveillance and Data Analysis: Together we interpret health data to identify and address patterns, such as common injuries or illnesses, and adapt safety measures accordingly.
• Wellness Initiatives: I work with safety colleagues to promote wellness programs focused on physical and mental wellbeing at work.
• Environmental Health: we collaborate to monitor workplace conditions, such as air quality and noise, levels to ensure health standards are met.

Working together in this collaborative brings huge benefits for our organisation. We have found that by combining effort we can develop more comprehensive approaches to health and safety challenges, we foster a more proactive health and safety culture where issues are addressed before they escalate, and this leads to improved outcomes and increased compliance.

I find regular interaction with health and safety colleagues is essential for me to be effective in my role.

In 2024 you completed the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health with NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner 3S Life Safe Akademie. Can you share:

• Why you picked this qualification?

Taking the NEBOSH International General Certificate (IGC) was a strategic decision for me.

I knew it was a gold standard occupational safety and health qualification, recognised internationally by employers and professional bodies. I felt its content would complement my medical qualifications (MBBS, PGDHHM, and CCEPC) which focus on individual and public health. By combining this with the specialised knowledge of workplace safety gained from the IGC I felt I would have a formidable skill set for addressing occupational hazards.

The qualification’s content is very relevant to my current role as a FMO. A great deal of my time is spent working collaboratively with colleagues from the health and safety department and I felt that taking the IGC would strengthen my insight of their role and responsibilities.

I also believed that achieving the NEBOSH IGC would demonstrate my commitment to continuous learning and professional development, strengthening my credibility in the health and safety field. I like that this qualification is applicable across industries, from manufacturing and construction to healthcare and logistics. It equips you with transferable skills that can be used in various workplace environments.

• Your thoughts on studies?

The NEBOSH IGC is an enriching and transformative learning experience which gives you practical skills, global insights, and the confidence to lead health and safety initiatives. I found my IGC studies really complemented my previous medical and occupational health studies. The knowledge and skills I gained from taking the IGC helped to broaden my expertise and understanding which can only help me in my efforts to create safer workplaces.

I give my thanks to the 3S Life Safe Akademie team for guiding me throughout the course. They offered high-quality training, experienced instructors, and structured support which maximised my learning experience.

How taking the qualification has helped you?
Completing the IGC has been transformative for both my career and professional growth because it has helped me:

• Strengthen my expertise: It has enhanced my ability to address occupational health and safety challenges, complementing my medical background.
• Enhance my health and safety knowledge: by gaining a deeper knowledge of safety regulations I can work more effectively with the safety team on workplace safety and compliance matters 
• Improve my effectiveness in my current role: It has improved my decision-making skills and my ability to proactively lead safety initiatives.
• Broaden opportunities longer-term: having the IGC will open pathways for health and safety leadership roles both locally and internationally.

This qualification helps holders create safer and healthier workplaces and advance careers.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
The thing I enjoy most about being a FMO is the opportunity it gives me to make people’s lives better. This is a common thread that medicine and health and safety share and is what makes both disciplines appeal to me.

I like working with my health and safety colleagues to protect the wellbeing of employees, improve workplace safety, while ensuring our organisation is legally compliant. My role is rewarding, varied and fulfils my need to keep learning and growing.

Given your role, background, and experience, do you have any advice for H&S professionals on the health aspects of their role?
My advice for H&S professionals on the health aspects of their role would be:

• Approach health and safety holistically integrating both physical and mental health into the safety framework. Physical safety is critical, but mental wellbeing is just as important.
• Familiarise yourself with any health risks associated with your industry (e.g., exposure to chemicals, noise, repetitive strain injuries). Ensure relevant safety measures are identified and implemented to protect workers.
• Work closely with medical professionals to ensure that health initiatives align with best practices.
• Encourage routine health checks, vaccinations and health awareness programs as part of the workplace culture.
• Implement ergonomic assessments and solutions to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, which are common in physically demanding workplaces.
• Develop initiatives to address mental health, such as stress management workshops, counselling services, and promoting a supportive workplace culture.
• Continuously educate workers on health risks, proper handling of hazardous materials and first aid.
• Demonstrate a commitment to health and safety by modelling good practices and encouraging others to prioritise their health.

By focusing on both the physical and mental aspects of health, collaborating with medical professionals, and promoting proactive measures, H&S professionals can ensure a safer, healthier workplace for everyone.