Goa’s industrial safety framework could receive a new set of practical recommendations as the Fire and Security Association of India (FSAI) prepares a white paper for the state’s Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers, focusing on low- and medium-hazard industries.
The document will consolidate industry suggestions and operational learnings and is intended to support a collaborative, risk-based approach to workplace safety. FSAI Goa president Anand Ramakrishnan announced the initiative while speaking at a one-day seminar on industrial safety and compliance held at Verna industrial estate.
The proposed roadmap will cover safety self-assessment, technical awareness programmes, worker and contractor engagement, emergency preparedness and continuing interaction between industries and competent authorities, Ramakrishnan said. The recommendations are expected to provide practical inputs to the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers.
FSAI Goa said the initiative aims to improve industrial safety, strengthen compliance and encourage a sustainable safety culture across workplaces. The focus on low- and medium-hazard units is significant because these facilities form a broad part of the industrial operating environment but may have varying levels of access to technical safety expertise and structured emergency preparedness, although the supplied report does not provide a detailed assessment of current compliance levels.
The seminar brought together industry leaders, regulatory representatives, safety professionals and students to discuss the implementation of industrial safety requirements and ways to build a stronger culture of prevention. Chief Inspector of Factories and Boilers Anant Pangam and former Director of the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services Ashok Menon attended the event and offered guidance on best practices, collaboration and follow-up action.
Ramakrishnan stressed the importance of bringing industry and government authorities together to improve workplace safety. The proposed approach would place greater emphasis on ongoing engagement and risk-based assessment rather than treating compliance as a one-time administrative exercise. The report does not state whether the white paper will carry mandatory requirements or specify a timeline for adoption by the state government.
GCCI president Pratima Dhond said the industry body was open to working with the government, FSAI and other organisations, including non-governmental organisations, to develop training plans for industrial premises and workers across sectors. Such cooperation would involve industry bodies, regulators, safety professionals and workers in a framework that the participants described as focused on prevention and preparedness.
The types of industries identified for discussion included light manufacturing, chemical factories, agro-fertiliser production, paint and coating units, automobile engineering and servicing, plastic moulding, injection moulding and extrusion units, as well as shipbuilding and ship repair. These sectors can involve different operational risks, making the proposed consolidation of guidance relevant to both factory management and regulatory inspection.
The next step is the preparation of the FSAI white paper, which will compile the recommendations and learnings discussed by participants. The document is expected to be shared as practical input with GCCI and the Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers for consideration in strengthening industrial safety and compliance in Goa.
