Surat – The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, and Aajeevika Bureau, organized an awareness session on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Samhati in Sarsana. The session focused on the theme “Impact of Air Pollution, Noise and Heat Stress on Workers’ Health.”
As per report, Chamber Minister Bijal Jariwala, in the welcome address, said that such initiatives guide industries and encourage them to be more responsible towards workers’ well-being.
ICMR technical officer Sanjay Kotadia highlighted that nearly 30 percent of workers in Surat are affected by the constant noise of embroidery and weaving machines. He cautioned that prolonged exposure to noise and excessive use of headphones could result in permanent hearing loss, stressing the need for preventive measures such as hearing protectors.
Technical assistant Mohammed Idrish Shaikh explained the causes of air pollution and its harmful impact on health, while Kunhal Shah, chairman of the Chamber’s Environment Committee, noted that the use of coal and noisy machinery in industries severely affects workers in ways that may not be immediately apparent but pose long-term risks.
Programme officer Parul Vats and information officer Ajay Neerje from the National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, shared details of environmental information and awareness programmes aimed at improving workplace safety and health standards.
The event witnessed the participation of SGCCI honorary treasurer Mitesh Modi, representatives from the industrial sector, professionals, and a large number of workers. The session was moderated by Deputy Secretary Pollik Desai.
