Page 45 - CIJ June 2025-Digital Edition

FACILITY MANAGEMENT

security are all interrelated.” He Bridging the Divide presented with a recent startling
humorously, yet accurately agreed find: the theft of 900 engines
with an audience member and through Collaboration from Kia Motors over five years.
likened HR to the father of an While acknowledging the Whose fault was it? Col Ripu
organization, with safety finding its essential convergence, Lt Col Daman Singh’s answer was telling:
place among the ‘children’. Ajaydeep Singh admitted that at “everybody and nobody.” He
lower levels, there can sometimes attributed it to a “lack of mind set
First Responders & be a “clash of ego” between on how to do things and the way
Human Touch admin and security functions. A in which it is done… Do we keep
our eyes and ears open? Are we
common issue is the management
A key takeaway was the role and control of the sizeable FM focusing on what we have to?” Lt
of FM and security teams as first workforce, particularly during their Col Ajaydeep Singh echoed this,
responders. “The FM and security entry, exit and breaks. noting that “Plans are the first
team are the first responders – only Col Ripu Daman Singh observed casualty of war, worldwide.”
ones in the facility 24x7 – who can a lingering “tussle” at the plant Amber Chandratre offered a
cover every escape/safe route in level regarding whether safety crucial perspective, emphasizing
the office,” stated Col Ripu Daman or security is responsible for the need to move beyond fault-
Singh. automating headcount. However, finding to “finding facts” to identify
Nilesh Gokhale, Regional FM the overriding sentiment was one process gaps. He stressed a holistic
Lead-Central AMEA, Mondelez of collaboration. Col Ripu Daman view, considering infrastructure
India Foods Pvt. Ltd, emphasized Singh’s experience at Reliance (fences, smart cameras) and
the need for frequent training and Industries in Jamnagar vividly the challenges of monotonous
refresher courses for FM staff to illustrated this. Despite advanced manual vigilance, batting for
enhance their response capabilities. sensors and a NASA-like control greater reliance on technology and
Sonali Shidhaye, Facility Leader- room, human vigilance remains infrastructure readiness. Col Ripu
India Office Campus, Cummins crucial. Daman Singh further clarified that
India Ltd, highlighted Cummins’ Security officers driving in while technology provides data,
strong safety practices, noting that process areas keep windows open human intelligence is crucial for
facility personnel are trained to and ACs off to constantly smell for making logical conclusions.
ensure safety across all areas, from gas leaks or detect spillages. This Ultimately, the discussion
heavy engine plants to corporate showcases the critical cohesion converged on the ever-present
offices, preventing hazards like required between FM, security, insider threat. Col Ajaydeep Singh
water spillage or exposed wires. and safety. “FM + security + concluded that while automation
safety – cohesion between all 3
Amber Chandratre, Director- departments,” he stressed. transforms Facility Management,
the human element remains
Global Integrated Services- The very fact that this topic was a irreplaceable.
Facilities, Cummins India Region, significant part of a predominantly
highlighted this by noting the FM-led conference underlines Similarly, “any kind of security
unique role of security personnel the growing recognition of this issue is always human which points
who move into a facility during an cohesiveness. As Col Ajaydeep towards an insider which starts
emergency, while others evacuate. Singh put it, “everything that is off the entire chain of events.”
This reinforces that even with
The discussion also touched going right in the industry, factory, technological advancements, a
upon the nuances of security office area wherever you see, vigilant human interface, supported
across different domains, as Sagar it is built on the foundation of by robust training and seamless
Mendhule, Manager Training- HSE, convergence of FM and security. departmental collaboration, remains
BVG India Limited pointed out. Psychologically the employee the ultimate safeguard.
Regardless of the sector, a feels safe, and happy to work in a The conference reiterated that
particular place when both FM and
smart and sustainable approach security are working hand in hand for India’s industrial cleaning and
requires a thorough understanding at all times.” facility management sectors to truly
of risk, encompassing both smart thrive, safety and security must
technology and personal safety – Mindset and be seen not as separate entities,
from handling cleaning chemicals but as the integrated, foundational
to façade cleaning and the impact Technology pillars upon which efficiency,
of technology on human life. The panel and audience were sustainability and trust are built.
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