EMPLOYEE SAFETY
Amazon and other US companies in crosshairs on warehouse safety
The warehouse sector has tripled in employment but doubled injury rates due to productivity targets, injuring workers like Keith Williams. The Warehouse Worker Protection Act seeks regulation. California fined Amazon $6 million for non-disclosure. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposes it. Emma Greenman supports state laws. Technology compounds workload while Amazon disputes having quotas and claims equitable management.
Chandigarh allows registered shops to open round-the-clock on all 365 days
In Chandigarh, shops can now operate 24/7, with special provisions for female employees' safety and well-being. The move simplifies labour laws, benefits traders, and ensures compliance with regulations. Female employees receive additional safety measures, including transportation and self-defence workshops, promoting a secure work environment.
Aligning business goals and decoding employee behaviour: A modern strategy for MSMEs
Alignment between business goals and employee behaviour is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process that requires continuous attention and adjustment.
Amazon admits to safety lapses, assures Govt of corrective action
Amazon India has acknowledged lapses in workplace safety at its warehouse in the National Capital Region. In its communication to the central labour commissioner, the company admitted to breaching workplace safety standards on May 16, 2024, at its Manesar warehouse and committed to taking immediate corrective measures. Responding comprehensively to the central labour ministry's inquiry, as reported by ET, Amazon India clarified that one of the employees at the facility led a small group of employees and associates in a pledge following scheduled breaks, perceiving it as a motivational activity for the team.
South Korea begins search for answers after battery plant fire kills 22
Following a devastating fire at a lithium battery factory in South Korea that claimed the lives of 22 workers with one still missing, urgent safety inspections have been ordered at high-risk industrial sites. The blaze, which erupted in a warehouse containing 35,000 lithium batteries, resulted in toxic smoke, likely causing the workers to lose consciousness and perish within seconds. The majority of the victims were temporary workers from China, prompting investigations into safety regulations and training practices for foreign laborers.
Dead mouse found in Ahmedabad eatery's sambar sparks outrage: Health officials respond
A customer found a dead mouse in sambar at an Ahmedabad eatery, sparking outrage on social media. This incident follows recent food safety concerns, including a human finger in ice cream and a dead mouse in Hershey’s syrup. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) issued a notice to the restaurant, highlighting severe health violations. Food safety officer Bhavin Joshi urged local businesses to maintain strict hygiene to prevent such incidents.
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Ilya Sutskever’s new startup is the latest of many AI ventures coming out of Big Tech
Ilya Sutskever left OpenAI last month and is launching his own startup soon. This is the latest in a larger trend of professionals leaving tech titans to establish their own startups, pursue their own goals and avoid commercialisation of products.
1.52 lakh safety category posts vacant, says Railways in RTI reply
The Indian Railways faces a significant vacancy of over 1.5 lakh posts out of around 10 lakh sanctioned under the safety category, according to the Railway Ministry's response to an RTI application. This includes critical roles like train drivers and signal maintainers crucial for safe train operations.
Air India Express completes IATA's operational safety audit
Air India Express, the budget carrier of Tata Group, announced on Monday the successful completion of its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global trade association for airlines. Enhancing airline operational safety and improving efficiency are the primary objectives of IOSA registration. The audit evaluates various aspects including corporate organization, management, flight operations, operational control, and flight dispatch, among others.
Paytm Bank slows down in Fastag lane; q-comm in soup over food safety
Happy Friday! Banks are gaining ground in the toll payments space as Paytm Payments Bank’s market share continues to plummet. This and more in today’s Morning Dispatch.
Walmart opposes adding panic buttons to stores
Walmart opposes legislation requiring panic buttons in stores, citing potential for false alarms, despite New York State Senate passing a bill that would mandate big retail chains to implement them. Walmart's executive VP of corporate affairs expressed concerns over the practicality of installing panic buttons in all of its 4,700 stores nationwide. The legislation, if signed by Governor Hochul, would also require violence prevention training for retail employees.
Australian watchdog drops court fight with X over violent posts
Australia's online watchdog on Wednesday dropped a legal effort to force Elon Musk's X to remove posts depicting the violent stabbing of a Sydney priest. The watchdog had ordered Musk's company to globally remove about 65 video and audio clips of the April 15 non-fatal attack in a church.
Section 144 imposed around Delhi airport; drones, laser beams banned
Delhi Police have imposed prohibitory orders banning drone and laser beam activities near the approach path of flights to Indira Gandhi International Airport due to VVIP aircraft movement and political events. The orders come into force from June 1 to July 30 to prevent distractions to pilots and potential safety risks. Violators face legal consequences.
ONGC cuts offshore helicopter sorties during monsoon to avoid accidents
India's top oil and gas producer, ONGC, has reduced helicopter sorties to its offshore installations in the Arabian Sea for three months to prevent deadly accidents during the monsoon season. The temporary measure, which is only in effect from June to August, aims to reduce the number of helicopters needed to transport personnel and material to the installations. ONGC does not respond to an email asking why it is following a 21-day cycle when internationally the 28-day cycle is followed.
Boeing set to deliver plan to regulators on upgrading safety
A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board published in February found that four bolts securing the panel that blew off were missing. "Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements," FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said on February 28.
ET Road Safety & Safer Mobility Forum 2024: Steering a smarter, safer, and sustainable supply chain by accelerating safety tech in logistics
The ET Road Safety & Safer Mobility Forum 2024 gears up for its third roundtable, focusing on ‘Enhancing Safety Standards in Modern Logistics and Supply Chain.’ This session will put intelligent AI solutions in the spotlight, showcasing how they can revolutionise safe practices within the ever-evolving logistics landscape. By prioritising both road and fleet safety, the forum aims to create a more secure and efficient supply chain ecosystem.
OpenAI dissolves high-profile safety team after chief scientist Ilya Sutskever’s exit
OpenAI dissolves safety team led by Ilya Sutskever and Jan Leike, integrating efforts for AI system safety goals. The team was formed less than a year ago, and recent departures at OpenAI have raised concerns about speed versus safety in AI development. The company has Jakub Pachocki appointed as chief scientist for AGI mission, replacing Sutskever.
As summer turns extreme, manufacturing firms go the extra mile to keep workers cool
As extreme summer heat leads to increased absenteeism and reduced productivity, manufacturing and engineering firms like Tata Steel, Larsen & Toubro, Nayara Energy, Thermax, and Maruti Suzuki are implementing measures to protect their employees. Initiatives include providing desert coolers, air-conditioned rest areas, and AC transportation, distributing rehydration salts, conducting medical check-ups, and offering doctor consultations. Tata Steel adjusts job schedules to minimize direct sunlight exposure, while L&T extends lunch breaks for outdoor workers.
Even traditional companies are adapting to Gen Z employees: Teamlease
Krishnendu Chatterjee discusses the impact of purpose-driven work values on individual and employer health, referencing Tom Rath's concept of 'working to live.' He emphasizes the importance of aligning organizational purpose with employee retention rates.
Amazon's self-driving robotaxi unit Zoox under investigation by US after 2 rear-end crashes
Both crashes happened during the daytime hours, and the motorcyclists suffered minor injuries. In both cases, the agency confirmed that each of the Amazon vehicles was operating in autonomous mode leading up to the crashes.
View: Why India struggles to keep its food safe
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India denounced as “false and malicious” news reports that linked the spice scandal to a recent 10-fold relaxation on maximum permissible limits of pesticide residue. The country has the most stringent norms, the regulator said, even though others clearly seem to think otherwise.
ET Road Safety & Safer Mobility Forum: Experts spotlight strategies for elevating employee well-being and operational efficiency in transportation
Global road fatalities dropped by 5%, but India saw a 15% rise. The ET Road Safety & Safer Mobility Forum discussed safety culture and technology's role in employee transportation. Leaders emphasized driver safety, tech integration, and collaborative efforts for a safer future.
Staff safety on India Inc radar in troubled West Asia
Indian companies are closely monitoring the safety of employees in Israel, a West Asian innovation hub, amid the intensifying Israel-Iran conflict. Sun Pharma, with a presence in Israel through its subsidiary Taro Pharmaceutical, is taking steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its employees and their families.
Iran-Israel conflict: India Inc closely watches developments to ensure safety of employees in West Asia
Sun Pharma, which operates in Israel through its subsidiary Taro Pharmaceutical, is actively monitoring the situation in the country and is taking all necessary steps to ensure safety and wellbeing of employees and their families, a company spokesperson said in an email response to ET.
Workplace injury reports show slight rise among top 1,000 listed companies
According to recent data from Prime Database, shared exclusively with ET, 268 companies reported 5,244 work-related injuries to white-collar employees in 2022-23, compared to 392 companies reporting 9,867 injuries to blue-collar workers during the financial year.
ET Road Safety & Safer Mobility Forum 2024: Navigating the path to employee well-being and operational efficiency in transportation
ET Road Safety & Safer Mobility Forum 2024, to explore and highlight innovative approaches and collaborative efforts driving employee well-being and operational efficiency in transportation safety across industries.
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