To safeguard health and safety in the workplace
Ethical, safety and reputational risks can be mitigated through adoption of robust protocols and right systems
Creating a culture of safety and well-being among employees at all levels, may prevent accidents, mitigate costs, reduce operational downtime and enhance workforce productivity.
Investing in the future requires a steadfast commitment to ensuring the health and safety of the entire workforce, particularly in high-risk sectors like mining. At Vedanta, safeguarding our employees is not just a priority but a core value embedded in our ethos through the principle of Zero Harm. This commitment is reflected in organisation-wide health and safety protocols designed to identify and mitigate hazards effectively, ensuring a secure working environment.
Our safety-first approach is underpinned by robust systems and initiatives such as regular safety drills, awareness workshops, and external safety audits. Programmes like the Annual Mines Safety Fortnight, conducted in collaboration with regulatory authorities, emphasise preventive measures, employee well-being, and operational excellence. These efforts not only protect lives but also foster trust among stakeholders and reinforce Vedanta’s dedication to sustainable and responsible operations.
By integrating best practices, advanced technologies, and compliance frameworks at all operational levels, we create a culture of care that prioritises the well-being of every individual. This comprehensive approach ensures that health and safety remain at the forefront of our business strategy, enabling us to build a resilient workforce while delivering on our commitment to sustainable growth.
Safeguard employee health and well-being
Fosters positive relationships with all stakeholders
Strong H&S record makes us a responsible employer
Strengthens our reputation
Attracts and retains employees
Improves overall productivity & saves costs
Our strong commitment to creating a zero-harm environment is supported by strict health and safety protocols that are regularly updated to protect the well-being of our workforce. This dedication is reflected in the company's proactive approach to safety, which involves setting up dedicated feedback mechanisms to stay abreast of the latest advancements in safety practices. These mechanisms facilitate regular assessments and audits, allowing Vedanta to revise its safety protocols in alignment with evolving national and international standards, as well as learnings from industry peers.
Vedanta's health and safety practices are governed by its Safety Community of Practice (CoP), which ensures that all operations adhere to the highest standards. The Vedanta Sustainability Assurance Programme (VSAP) plays a pivotal role in this governance structure by conducting internal audits against 17 safety and 20 health and safety standards. This rigorous auditing process ensures that all operations are compliant with globally recognised certifications such as ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001. Furthermore, Vedanta aligns its practices with the guidelines set by the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), reinforcing its commitment to international best practices.
To enhance safety performance and prevent fatal injuries, Vedanta employs a comprehensive three-lever strategy:
In addition to these proactive measures, Vedanta adopts the Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM) for health and safety. ICAM is a structured method used to investigate incidents thoroughly, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to prevent future occurrences. This systematic approach allows Vedanta to learn from incidents, refine its safety protocols, and reinforce its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety across its operations.
Through integration of these strategies, Vedanta demonstrates its unwavering commitment to safety, ensuring that its operations not only meet but exceed international standards. Such dedication to safety is integral to Vedanta's broader sustainability goals, reflecting the company's vision of creating a safer, more responsible, and sustainable future for all stakeholders.
Health and Safety standards and protocol in alignment with ICMM and ISO 450001 or OHSAS 18001
Governance: Safety CoP governs this aim via the Vedanta Sustainability Assurance Programme (VSAP)
Internal auditing of health and safety standards by the VSAP
Health, Safety & Well-Being
Vedanta Aluminium
The "Suraksha Sarathi" road safety campaign reinforces Vedanta’s commitment to safety, enhancing the company’s reputation as a responsible corporate entity. It also demonstrates Vedanta’s continuous efforts to extend safety awareness beyond its immediate operations, contributing to a safer community and industry. It also demonstrates Vedanta’s continuous efforts to extend safety awareness beyond its immediate operations, contributing to a safer community and industry.
The "Suraksha Sarathi" road safety campaign reinforces Vedanta’s commitment to safety, enhancing the company’s reputation as a responsible corporate entity. It also demonstrates Vedanta’s continuous efforts to extend safety awareness beyond its immediate operations, contributing to a safer community and industry.
The campaign provides road safety education through engaging activities such as street plays, quizzes, and health check-up camps. It also distributes safety kits and empowers truck drivers with the knowledge to prioritise road safety.
The initiative is vital to reducing accidents, promoting road safety in rural and tribal regions, and raising awareness of the importance of traffic regulations. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that truck drivers, an integral part of Vedanta’s supply chain, operate safely, directly impacting the safety of the larger community.
The campaign is executed through collaboration with key stakeholders, including MCL, local transporters, and unions. Activities are held at coal loading points near Vedanta’s operations, with the third edition conducted at Samleswari Mines in Brajrajnagar. Regular follow-ups and participation from local officials ensure the programme’s sustainability and positive community impact.
The campaign benefits over 500 local drivers by empowering them with road safety knowledge, offering health check-ups, and distributing safety kits. Additionally, it strengthens community relationships by fostering collaboration between Vedanta, MCL, local transporters, and government officials.
Health, Safety & Well-Being
Cairn
The installation of 75 self-closing swing gates has significantly enhanced workplace safety at Vedanta, ensuring compliance with safety standards and reducing risks associated with work-at-height activities. This initiative strengthens operational excellence and reinforces the company’s commitment to a zero‑harm environment.
The project involves identifying high-risk areas, selecting appropriate specifications, sourcing reliable bidders, and installing self-closing gates to mitigate fall-related hazards at work-at-height locations. It ensures continuous protection by preventing accidental falls through automatic gate closure.
This project is critical for minimising workplace injuries, enhancing employee safety, and adhering to regulatory requirements. It addresses human errors inherent in traditional safety methods and provides a reliable, long-term solution for fall prevention.
The project is implemented to achieve zero injuries from work-at-height activities, align with global safety standards, and create a safer workplace for all employees. It reflects Vedanta’s commitment to sustainable practices and prioritising workforce health and safety.
Stakeholders, including employees and contractors, benefit from improved safety measures that prioritise their well-being. The project fosters trust and confidence in Vedanta’s proactive approach to workplace safety, contributing to a positive and secure work environment.
To provide equal opportunities and conducive work environment for all
Risk of operational, reputational and financial risk accounted
Organisations that foster diversity are better positioned to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges
Vedanta has made diversity and inclusion a cornerstone of its organisational ethos, striving to create a workplace that is equitable, inclusive, and representative of varied perspectives. The company has implemented progressive policies and initiatives to foster gender diversity, support underrepresented groups, and ensure equal opportunities for all the employees.
The company actively promotes women-led development through initiatives like targeted hiring, mentorship programmes, and accelerated career growth opportunities. Women are also breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated roles, such as managing aluminium potlines, forming India’s first all-women mining rescue team, and leading firefighting teams. Policies such as flexible work hours, year-long sabbaticals for childcare, spouse hiring, and financial aid for education ensure women can balance their personal and professional lives without compromising career growth.
Vedanta’s diversity initiatives extend beyond gender to include members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and individuals from underrepresented regions. The company has introduced groundbreaking policies like its transgender inclusion policy, which provides medical benefits such as gender reaffirmation leave and financial support for surgeries. Vedanta’s premises are designed to be accessible for specially abled individuals with ramps, braille-enabled elevators, text-to-speech software, and barrier-free facilities. These efforts aim to create a workplace where every individual feels valued and respected.
Vedanta’s Parenthood Policy is a standout initiative that supports new mothers with a 12-month sabbatical and flexible working hours post‑maternity leave. Over 91% of women return to work after maternity leave. New mothers are mentored by senior female colleagues who have successfully navigated similar life stages. Additionally, Vedanta offers parental leave to men, with 100% returning to work seamlessly.
To foster inclusivity at all levels, Vedanta launched ‘Samanvay,’ a gender sensitisation programme aimed at addressing unconscious biases and promoting inclusion within teams. The company also conducts workshops on diversity intelligence for leadership teams and employees to ensure alignment with its vision of inclusivity.
Vedanta’s Diversity Councils play an integral role in implementing and measuring diversity initiatives across the organisation. By integrating tools like Design Thinking and Open Space Technology into its strategy development process, Vedanta ensures that diversity is not just a policy but a lived experience within the organisation.
Through these efforts, Vedanta is redefining workplace norms in the natural resources sector by demonstrating that diversity drives innovation and inclusion fuels progress. By creating an environment where meritocracy thrives irrespective of gender, caste, religion, sexual orientation, or disability status, Vedanta is building a future where every individual has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to organisational success while achieving personal growth.
Labour Practices
VAL, Jharsuguda
This initiative significantly enhances Vedanta's reputation as a leader in diversity and inclusion within the manufacturing sector. It demonstrates the company's commitment to gender parity, setting a new industry benchmark with a fully women-operated potline. The project aligns with Vedanta's goal of achieving 30% women representation in its workforce by 2030, strengthening its position as an employer of choice for women in the metals and mining industry.
The project converts an entire smelter line (Potline 4) at Vedanta's Jharsuguda operations to be exclusively operated and maintained by women employees. It involves inducting 109 women across various operational roles in multiple phases, contributing to the production of 320.5 kt of aluminium annually.
This initiative is crucial as it breaks gender barriers in the manufacturing sector, particularly in metals and mining, where women representation has traditionally been low. It demonstrates that women can excel in core industrial roles, challenging societal norms and inspiring a new generation of women to pursue careers in manufacturing. The project also aligns with global efforts to promote gender equality in the workplace.
The project is being implemented in phases, with 109 women being inducted into various operational roles. Vedanta is providing comprehensive training and support to ensure these women are well-equipped to manage the potline effectively. The company is also creating an inclusive work environment, including personalised uniforms for female employees and policies that support work-life balance.
The metals and mining industry has traditionally leaned toward a workforce with a high percentage of male representation due to the nature of its operations. Vedanta Aluminium is actively challenging these norms by empowering women professionals and providing them opportunities in core industrial roles. For local communities, it creates new employment avenues for women, fostering economic independence and driving social empowerment. By focussing on gender diversity, Vedanta is building an equitable workplace while contributing to broader societal progress.
To provide equal opportunities and conducive work environment for all
Failure to adhere to evolving corporate governance and ethical standards can lead to legal penalties, reputational damage, and reduced investor confidence
Implementing robust governance frameworks for ethical business practices can enhance stakeholder trust and secure long-term operational licences
Vedanta places a strong emphasis on transparency and information sharing as fundamental pillars of effective communication, particularly in the realm of ESG governance. The company publishes a range of comprehensive ESG disclosures, including the Annual Integrated Report, Annual Sustainability Report, Annual TCFD and TNFD Climate Report, and the newly established Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR). These reports adhere to globally recognised standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and the International Integrated Reporting Framework (IR Framework), ensuring that stakeholders receive accurate, credible, and holistic insights into Vedanta's sustainability performance.
This year marks a significant milestone with the release of Vedanta’s 17th Sustainability Report, showcasing progress across economic, environmental, social, and governance dimensions. The report highlights Vedanta’s efforts to integrate sustainable practices into its operations while adapting to external changes and addressing material risks. By offering detailed updates on sustainability goals, governance enhancements, and operational impacts, these disclosures provide stakeholders – including employees, investors, customers, suppliers, lenders, communities, and governments – a clear understanding of Vedanta’s contributions to society and its value creation efforts.
Vedanta’s commitment to transparency is further reflected in its proactive approach to aligning internal policies with evolving global standards. The company benchmarks its practices against national regulations, industry frameworks, investor expectations, and peer organisations. This benchmarking has led to significant advancements such as the introduction of climate-linked variables in employee performance evaluations under its Long-Term Incentive Programmes. Additionally, internal mechanisms like the Vedanta Sustainability Assurance Programme (VSAP) are continuously refined to meet evolving standards.
The calibre of Vedanta's disclosures has earned upgraded ratings from multiple independent agencies, validating its progress in ESG governance and performance. These ratings provide impartial evaluations that confirm alignment with global expectations while reinforcing trust among stakeholders. By persistently measuring itself against international frameworks and enhancing its governance practices, Vedanta remains committed to driving sustainable growth and maintaining leadership in ESG excellence.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (CBCE) via framework of policies, standards, procedures, and obligations.
Governance: MAS, Company Secretariat, Group Sustainability
Overall score - 75/100
