Tata Chemicals has opened a new safety training centre called Suraksha Gurukul at its Mithapur manufacturing site in Gujarat, offering virtual reality modules, driving simulators and hands-on training for employees, contractors, visitors and drivers.
The centre was inaugurated by Vikrant Deoras, Site and Manufacturing Head at Tata Chemicals Mithapur, in the presence of senior leadership, department heads and employees, according to the company.
Suraksha Gurukul was developed over two years and combines Tata Chemicals’ Golden Safety Rules with digital learning, simulator-based training, practical demonstrations, competency assessments and certification, the company said in its statement.
Vehicle driving simulators are a central feature. The training focuses on driver competency, hazard perception and defensive driving, allowing drivers to rehearse scenarios before entering operational areas at the plant. VR modules cover working at height, fire safety and emergency preparedness, per Chemical Processing.
The centre also houses a Safety Exhibition Gallery with equipment models, demonstrations, learning displays and workplace best practices. The full training journey covers classroom and digital learning, practical sessions, simulator and VR training, assessment and certification.
Vikrant Deoras, Site and Manufacturing Head, Tata Chemicals Mithapur, said: “Safety is a core part of how we operate at Tata Chemicals. Suraksha Gurukul brings together technology, practical training and site-specific learning to strengthen safety competence among our employees and partners. As we continue our journey towards Zero Harm, the centre will support a stronger and more proactive safety culture at the Mithapur site.”
The Safety, Civil, Electrical and Plant teams at Mithapur supported the centre’s development, and Tata Chemicals has framed the initiative as part of its site-wide Zero Harm programme. The company has reported 1.44 man-days per employee of safety training and 68% completion of its risk mitigation plan, according to its corporate disclosures.
The Mithapur site is Tata Chemicals’ oldest manufacturing hub and one of the largest inorganic chemicals complexes in Asia, producing soda ash, salt and other chemicals. India’s chemical industry, valued at over $220 billion, has seen renewed emphasis on operational safety, and simulator-based training is increasingly showing up at large manufacturers across sectors from automotive to petrochemicals.
