Bilaspur, India |South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) marked the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026 with a formal and well-attended program at its headquarters on April 28, 2026. This year’s global theme, “Let’s ensure a healthy psychosocial work environment,” guided the proceedings and highlighted the importance of mental well-being alongside physical safety in industrial workplaces.
The event began with the ceremonial hoisting of the safety flag by Harish Duhan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of SECL, in the presence of senior leadership including Director (Technical Operations) N. Franklin Jayakumar, Director (Human Resources) Biranchi Das, Director (Finance) D. Sunil Kumar, Chief Vigilance Officer Himanshu Jain, and Director (Technical – Planning & Projects) Ramesh Chandra Mahapatra. Department heads, labor union representatives, officers, and employees also participated in large numbers.
As part of the ceremony, dignitaries paid floral tributes at the workers’ memorial statue within the headquarters premises, acknowledging the contributions and sacrifices of the workforce.
In his keynote address, CMD Harish Duhan emphasized that safety must extend beyond machinery and mining operations to include the well-being of the workforce. “We must focus not only on mines and machines but also on the safety and health of our manpower,” he said. He stressed the need to create a positive and healthy work environment that fosters both productivity and employee satisfaction.
Duhan further noted that safety is not merely a procedural requirement but an integral part of organizational culture. He highlighted that every employee should feel secure not only physically but also mentally. Encouraging a holistic approach to well-being, he urged employees to incorporate regular physical exercise into their daily routines, stating that it plays a vital role in maintaining both physical and mental health.
He underscored that a strong psychosocial work environment is the foundation for sustainable productivity and organizational excellence. During the event, he also administered the official safety pledge to all employees present.
A message from the Chairman of Coal India Limited was read out by General Manager (Safety/Rescue) Prakash Rai, emphasizing the need for continuous implementation and improvement in safety and health practices across operations.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from SECL’s leadership and workforce to uphold the highest standards of workplace safety, with particular attention to mental health and psychosocial well-being in line with global priorities.
