PROJECT WORK

TOPIC: Occupational Health & Safety of Workers at SFII (Shriram Fuel

Injection Industries)
Stream: Human Resources (Management of Industrial Relations)
Location: Shriram Fuel Injection Industries,
Usha International Hyderabad
Duration: 2-12-2010 --- 15-1-2011
Purpose of the Study:
The objective under the study is to analyse and understand the safety and health
measures adopted in manufacturing units, like SFII involved in producing
automobile components like Fuel injections.
The research is aimed at developing short cases by understanding the situations
in relation to occupational health and safety of workers. Cases have been
developed primarily through observation, secondary data (worker communication
form) and informal interaction with the workers. The underlying aim to develop
cases is dual perspective. On one hand it can be used for classroom discussion to
develop analytical thinking and on the other to the Organisation to use the cases
as a safety guide to an extent.
Safety and Quality are two pillars of any manufacturing unit to evolve and sustain
for a long period. SFII has been in existence for over 3 decades and renowned for
minimal accidents and health concern taken by it.

Methodology:
1. The initial days were spent in getting to know the company. Arriving to the
topic took some time and followed by a thorough inspection of files relating
to safety and occupational health. The secondary information so obtained
gave an outlook how a manufacturing unit maintains and documents safety
related issues.
 2. The majority of the time was spent in the delivery valves unit of SFII which
had about 5 major operations (end product: Delivery Valves) and having
about 45 workers in two shifts every day.
3. Being a non-engineering graduate, I took time to get used to the operations
and understand what is happening over there.
4. On the basis of my understanding, I developed a 4 scale schedule
(questionnaire which the interviewer fills in as per the respondents answer
for multiple choice questions) and conducted survey for the entire
population of the department I was working on (delivery valves).
5. The findings were converted into bar graphs for easier understanding.

Findings of the study:

1. Workers are pretty satisfied with the safety measures taken by SFII.
2. SFII has gone a step ahead in conducting safety meetings on a more
frequent basis than the state factories act mandate.
3. Innovation and Creativity is encouraged to bring out solutions to various
safety and health related issues. It has been observed that many practical
problems like oil spillage, minor injuries have been diagnosed and solved by
the workers themselves with positive support of the management.
4. There is appreciative participation of workers in management and in safety
committee affairs.
5. Majority agree that training on safety is sufficient, while a minority
preferred bit more.
6. Minor suggestions were made in relation to postures adopted, habits
counselling, etc.

Research limitations:
I was given access only to one department of the manufacturing unit i.e., delivery
valves. This department has about 45 workers (in total of about 500 workers in
the entire SFII). Hence this is a major limitation and the entire population of the
department have been involved in the survey.
Practical Implications:
Development of Cases: I have developed short cases as a part of my study
in addition to a survey done on a small population.
These cases can act as a tool in safety committee meetings and future trainings as
they contain real life and hypothetical situations concerning safety and
occupational health. It would impart a 360 degree approach to view the case.
Case study is an interesting learning mode for students. Such cases can be
discussed in the class for analytical enhancement of students.
The survey conducted will help the management of SFII to understand
where they stand in their workers point of view towards safety and health
concern.
My project will assist other management or research scholars to adapt a
new way of work in the field of study.

Student profile:
Hasil Gora (Regd# 09H71E0012)
II yr, MBA (HR & Marketing)
DVR & Dr.HS MIC College of Technology, Kanchikacharla
Mobile: 9949863777
Email: hasilgora@gmail.com