MUMBAI: Tata Group has formed a committee comprising CEOs from its major operating companies to enhance safety measures across its businesses. Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran stressed that safety has become a “top priority” for the airline-to-steel conglomerate, while recognising the need to strengthen safety protocols further as the $165-billion group expands into new areas. Addressing shareholder concerns about safety measures implemented in the aftermath of the Air India crash and prevention of accidents in the future, Chandrasekaran, at Indian Hotels’ annual general meeting on Monday, said: “Safety is a very big thing across the Tata Group. We have a group that we have formed with CEOs of major companies to focus on safety.” He added that “safety is reviewed at every board meeting”. Chandrasekaran noted that as the conglomerate experiences significant growth with expansion occurring both within existing businesses and through the addition of new enterprises, it has been ramping up efforts to enhance safety protocols across all operations. “For example, there is a chief safety officer at Indian Hotels (IHCL). So, in every company, safety has become a top priority. Further, Tata Group is expanding. Not only are individual companies like Indian Hotels expanding, but new companies are being added. The group is investing in high-end manufacturing and constructing 11 factories. So, we are aware of the need to focus on safety. This is something that we are addressing, and we need to do more.”

Indian Hotels owns the Taj chain and is the largest player in the country with over 300 hotels. In FY25, 13 of its employees and workers suffered from work-related injuries or ill-health, with no fatalities reported during that period. In FY24, there were no incidents of employees and workers experiencing any safety-related issues. Tata Steel reported 27 employees and workers suffered from work-related injuries or ill-health during FY25, with five fatalities occurring at its operations in India. In FY24, 18 employees and workers were affected by work-related injuries or ill-health, resulting in six fatalities. At Tata Steel’s annual shareholder meeting on July 2, Chandrasekaran stressed the importance of safety. He said: “The five fatalities are unacceptable to us. The first presentation at Tata Steel’s board meeting always focuses on safety, detailing the measures being taken and conducting a thorough analysis of each safety aspect. Our safety goal is to achieve zero harm, which includes zero fatalities.”