Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in the manufacturing sector, driven by product innovations. Their significance extends beyond economic contributions, as they create jobs, foster local impact, and drive healthy competition. However, sustainable growth demands a transition toward larger organizations, necessitating robust production systems that address increased requirements while ensuring health, safety, and environmental compliance.
While large industrial corporations typically operate mature Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) management systems, SMEs face challenges. Allocating comparable resources for HSE implementation is difficult when their primary focus remains business growth.
In our quest for insights, we sat down with Faisal Majeed—an accomplished HSE professional with an impressive 18-year track record. His expertise extends across multinational corporations, spanning diverse geographies. From the bustling markets of the Middle East to the vibrant landscapes of Africa, Turkey, North America, and South America, Mr. Majeed has navigated regional and global HSE compliance with finesse. His career stands as a testament to the critical role HSE plays in safeguarding workplaces worldwide.
Why Prioritize HSE for SME’s?
When asked about the importance of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) for SMEs, Mr. Majeed emphasized its critical role in safeguarding businesses.
- Accident Prevention: HSE systems safeguard SMEs by identifying hazards and implementing preventive measures. Protecting the workforce reduces financial losses that could otherwise jeopardize the business.
- Legal Compliance: Implementing an HSE system ensures adherence to local and international regulations, avoiding penalties and legal disputes.
- Resource Efficiency: Efficient resource use directly impacts the company’s bottom line. Cost savings from optimized energy and resource utilization contribute to long-term financial success.
- Stakeholder Impact: An effective HSE Management System enhances SMEs’ reputation and competitiveness. It resonates positively with customers, suppliers, investors, and employees.
How can SMEs have worldclass HSE Systems?
Mr. Majeed responded that SMEs often lack the budget and resources for complex safety solutions. However, hiring experienced HSE consultants familiar with world-class systems can bridge this gap. These consultants tailor scaled-down worldclass HSE programs to match SME needs while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Mr. Majeed
How can SMEs leverage AI for HSE Compliance?
In further conversation with Faisal Majeed on the use of AI in modern tools, Mr. Majeed shared his knowledge and skills of implementing AI solutions in the workplace. Mr. Majeed confirmed that Multinationals are now abandoning the traditional HSE management systems in favor of modern solutions. These cutting-edge systems incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT), and Wearable Technologies. The distinguishing feature of AI-enabled HSE solutions lies in their capacity to learn, adapt, and autonomously respond. While initial costs may seem high, rapid adoption and startup innovations are driving affordability. This rapid adoption will make this more cost effective and accessible for SMEs. Also, when taken into consideration the costs of workplace injury compensation and rising insurance premiums, Return on Investment on such system is justified and rather contributed to bottom-line of the company.
A renowned Pharma and Healthcare MNCs, where Mr. Majeed currently works, have piloted AI and Computer Image-enabled HSE solutions. These systems identify unsafe behaviors and patterns that routine inspections often miss. Balancing privacy and safety, they prevent life-changing injuries or fatalities. In deploying such solutions, involving employees ensures successful implementation.
Mr. Majeed is part of efforts in founding and funding such Modern HSE software startups that automate risk assessments, incident reporting, and compliance tracking. By digitizing these tasks, it streamlines operations, reduces manual effort, and optimizes resources. These solutions can bring in much needed step change in HSE compliance for SMEs, as cost-effective AI solutions would allow seamless integration of safety and resilience from the outset of SME.
Mr. Majeed’s conviction is clear: AI-driven HSE management solutions aren’t a luxury; they’re an essential investment for SMEs aiming to thrive in a dynamic world and build resilience for the future.
