Remember Union Carbide’s Bhopal gas disaster in 1984? 500,000 people were immediately exposed to the poisonous gas, and 500,000+ are still suffering. How is India’s industrial safety situation right now? Let’s decode.
India is experiencing an infrastructure boom in 2025. It goes without saying that India is moving in the right direction to become a $5 trillion economy.
The construction sector alone employs over 51 million people, contributing to ₹2,670 billion to India’s GDP. But is India aware of industrial safety equally?
Key Takeaways
This article aims to throw some light on the difference between India’s infrastructure ambition and the ground reality, challenges, causes, and some potential solutions, focusing on electrical safety.
Facts and Figures About India’s Industrial Safety: Construction Sector Edition
Industrial safety in India is a complex issue to navigate because of the huge number of people involved. This category contains disguised employment, seasonal workers, and temporary staff. More than forty years have passed since Union Carbide’s Bhopal gas disaster; still, the aftereffects and ignorance are there. In 2024, more than 400 people were killed due to workplace safety negligence.
As per a report by the British Safety Council (BSC), nearly 80% of India’s workforce operates in unsafe conditions. On-site death rates are 20 times higher than in Britain, on average.
Electrical accidents have a lion’s share in these statistics, with approximately 12000 lives lost from electrocution. Electrical hazards make one of the ‘fatal four’ causes of accidents in the construction sector.
Why is safety always prioritized last?
The infrastructure sector of India is overly competitive, with foreign investors pouring in as well. But why is there a staunch disparity between growth and safety? Here are seven probable causes:
1. Short-term thinking and cost containment:
Even when there is visible growth, developers are nearsighted and contain the costs. Instead of choosing reputed suppliers and certified materials, they go with unbranded materials from unknown suppliers. This saves cost upfront, but developers end up paying more to resolve the accidents.
2. Regulatory gaps and lack of resources
In India, there are established safety regulations like the BOCW Act and the National Building Code. But there aren’t enough resources to put them into action. Sometimes, the basic literacy level is not there. Second, the number of people employed in the construction sector is huge. Third, there is no one to monitor the progress.
This leads to inconsistency.
3. Vulnerability of the workers
A major percentage of workers in the construction sector have limited knowledge about the need for safety rules in industries and the knowledge to follow them. Electrical technicians touch the wires with their naked hands, instead of using adequate safety equipment like an electrical mat.
4. Trust the traditional methods
The Indian infrastructure sector prefers traditional methods to embracing technology. In 2025, when artificial intelligence, smart sensors, and IoT sensors have gained quick traction, people will stay away from using them due to cost concerns. Sometimes, the resistance to change is also a factor.
5. Outdated wiring and no electrical inspection
Some people get extremely proud, saying they have been using the same wiring structure for 20 years and are saving costs. Often, there are no electrical inspections at industries that run on high-voltage machines. Outdated wires leak electricity, and workers easily get electrocuted when they are exposed to such high energy.
6. PPEs- another unnecessary expenditure
Personal Protective Equipment was popular during the COVID-19 period because people wanted to stay away from the contagious disease. Unfortunately, they ignore the aspects of personal safety when walking at a dangerous height or near high-voltage equipment.
PPEs are conceived as just another extra expenditure.
7. Overly smart technologies
The smarter the technologies, the more risks. India’s clean energy transition has unknowingly made workplaces unsafe:
- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Overheating, toxic gas release, or explosion
- Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI): High-voltage equipment, water logging, and mechanical wear.
- Rooftop Solar Systems: Live DC wiring on rooftops that remains energized after the grid shuts down.
Prioritizing industrial safety & health: Public initiatives
The Indian government has been active in popularizing the concept of Industrial safety. These are some ways in which they are doing so:
- The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has celebrated Electrical Safety Day on June 26. 2025. They have launched the “Suraksha Shakti” safety mascot and the Electrical Safety Handbook to raise awareness. They arranged for live streaming of the event.
- Revised safety building codes, NBC 2025 and NEC 2023, to modify the vision to sync with the advancements.
- Some leading infrastructure companies like Tata Steel and Schwing Stetter India have embraced automated solutions for their mining and construction operations.
How can you practice safety at work?
Prevention is better than cure, and the day you start is the right day. This is how you can practice safety at work:
Regular workplace audits
Arrange for timely safety audits for your industrial setup. You can also do it on your own by visually inspecting some safety equipment, like the electrical mats. Damaged electrical mats are worn out, curled at the edges, and may have pinholes on the surface.
Install warning signs
Protective equipment may fail in some cases. Especially if there is an elevation or slippery floors. Warning signs in those places speak volumes about safety even without saying a word.
Invest in basic PPEs
Basic protective equipment, like electrical mats for high voltage zones, helmets, and shoes, does not cost more. Moreover, certified equipment lasts so long that you get a good return on your investment.
Teach the workers
Teach the workers about the benefits of using safety measures and how they can maintain a safe working environment. You can show them self-help videos or arrange for some workplace activities to educate them on what to do during emergencies.
Conclusion: Safety begins with you
The infrastructure sector is one of the fastest-growing realms of the industrial sphere. Nevertheless, this is the area that reports the most cases of industrial accidents. Along with other valid reasons, the ‘it’s okay’ attitude does not allow people to see safety as a necessity rather than just another compliance standard to follow. Embracing simple safety measures at work like: mandating the PPEs, educating workers, and embracing technology can lead to a healthy workplace and business growth, equally.
Want to know more about electrical safety mats or want to share your own experiences with safety protocols? Join the conversation in the comments below. You can reach out to us directly for more information on selecting the right safety equipment for your specific needs.
