R. Lakshmanan
Head of Workplace Environment Health Safety & Security
Chennai,TN
Summary
Member of National Safety Council - Chennai Chapter & Holding globally recognized EHS Cert IOSH (UK) Qualified with proven expertise in implementing EHS management systems, risk assessments, regulatory compliance and benchmarking industry best practices across manufacturing, greenfield, DC operation and Telecom sectors. Areas of Expertise:
-Safety and Environmental Risk Assessments
-ISO45001 &14001 standards implementation and compliance
-Construction and Design Safety
-Fire and Life Safety
-Incident Management
-EHS Education &Training
-Regulatory and law compliance
-Crisis Management
-Emergency Preparedness and Response
-Construction Safety Management
-Contractor Safety Management
-Developing safety engineering standards for high-risk machinery
-Fire protection system operation & maintenance
-Powered Material Handling Equipment Safety
-Process Safety Management
-Fleet and On-Road Safety Management
-NFPA101 Life Safety Code compliance
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
6
6
Certifications
5
5
Languages
Work History
South -Region EHS Senior Manager
ST Telemedia Global Data Centers
10.2023 - Current
- Coordinated audits across a region of nine data centers in the South region (Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai) operations, DCs, and office fire safety facilities to ensure adherence to established regulations while identifying areas for improvement within EHS processes.
- Conduct daily safety walkthrough to identify potential hazards and risks in the workplace, ensuring a safe environment for all employees.
- Coordinate daily sync-up meetings with the Facility Manager and Security teams to address Environment Health & Safety related concerns and maintain a strong safety culture.
- Sync up with the RSOC team to exchange information on the travelers' tracker, staying aware of potential risks, and ensuring employee safety.
- Update the work assignment tracker daily to facilitate efficient coordination and allocation of resources for EHS tasks.
- Keep EHS injury metrics up to date to closely monitor safety performance, and identify areas for improvement.
- Conducted thorough accident investigations to identify root causes and prevent future occurrences.
- Collaborate with the HR team to conduct a new hire safety orientation, covering information on safe assembly areas, fire exit doors, evacuation routes, emergency contacts, and ergonomics consultation.
- Conduct monthly workplace inspections at office workspaces, report findings and corrective actions, and organize various mock drills: fire, lift entrapment, and electrical shock.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish and maintain a safe work environment, fostering a culture of safety throughout the organization.
- Served as the ESG reporting SPOC for the entire organization regarding BRSR, TCFD, and CPD.
- Oversaw contractor selection process from a safety perspective, evaluating prospective vendors'' capabilities in maintaining a safe working environment during projects execution phase.
- Served on ISO 45K implementation from scratch, successfully certified ISO 4K in the region.
- Collaborated with management to develop company-wide safety policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Established emergency response plans, ensuring preparedness in the event of a crisis or disaster.
- Reduced environmental impact by implementing sustainable waste management and pollution control practices.
- Customized mental well-being, ergonomics, and safety training materials for different learning styles, increasing engagement and retention.
- Provide regular updates to the EHS team regarding foreign travelers to India, monitoring their safety and well-being during their stay.
- Monitored legislative updates relating to workplace health and safety, ensuring ongoing compliance with regulations: OSHA, BOCW, and the Fire Safety Act.
- Assessed new equipment acquisitions for potential hazards before integration into the workplace environment.
TN State - HSSE Head - Circle HSSEM
Summit Digitel - Brook Field
01.2021 - 10.2023
- Evaluated vendor performance regarding their adherence to environmentally friendly practices, contributing to more sustainable supply chain relationships.
- Served as an internal and external ambassador for the organization''s environmental initiatives, raising awareness of sustainability efforts and garnering support from stakeholders.
- Coordinated with regulatory agencies to ensure projects met all necessary requirements and maintained clear communication channels.
- Facilitated the integration of green building principles into construction projects, reducing their overall ecological footprint across TN state.
India Unit -HSSW Manager
Mott MacDonald Private
12.2019 - 12.2020
- Reporting level to the India Unit MD and HSSE regional head, working closely with the HSSE regional manager to ensure global and regional health and safety standards are implemented.
- Develop and maintain the ERP of all branch offices & “Worked with Facility Manager to ensure office safety, ergonomics, fire safety drills, employee well-being, and canteen safety.” (Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai).
- Conducted thorough audits of existing safety projects across India and Bangladesh, identifying gaps in coverage that needed addressing.
- Provide HSSE training and awareness programs for employees.
- Coordinates with major contractors and clients: L&T, NCC, KPTL, DFCC, Reckitt Benckiser, Tata Cancer Care, Hindalco, ADB, and WB-funded projects. Provided expert advice on best practices for health and safety, helping the company avoid costly fines or legal penalties due to noncompliance.
- Ensured compliance with environmental legislation by implementing company-wide policies and procedures.
- Facilitated cross-departmental communication regarding safety matters, ensuring a consistent approach to maintaining a safe work environment.
Nagpur Cluster HSSE Lead & Engineer Role
Larsen & Toubro Limited
09.2006 - 01.2017
- Cover of the four states project: Chhattisgarh, Mumbai, MP, and Gujarat under various clients - PGCIL, MSETCL, MPPTCL, GMR. JINDAL Power, Avanta Power.
- Led and managed the Nagpur Cluster HSSE team of 9 HSSE engineers and 46 safety stewards.
- Lead cross-functional projects to drive process improvements within the cluster, enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Maintained strict adherence to regulatory standards while managing multiple ongoing projects concurrently, mitigating any potential compliance risks.
- Built a high-performing EHS team by recruiting and retaining top talent, resulting in increased productivity and cluster success.
- Manage the HSSE budget and resources for the Nagpur Cluster projects.
- From September 2006 to August 2009, I played the role of Project EHS Engineer at CH, Hyderabad, for TL and Substation Projects.
Diploma Trainee
Friends Engineering Works
05.2005 - 08.2006
- Learned new materials, processes, and programs quickly.
- Attended training courses to build understanding of processes, techniques, and industry.
- Participated in on-the-job training, working closely with supervisors and coworkers and asking appropriate questions.
- Supported departmental tasks to increase understanding of industry processes.
- Serve to ensure compliance with occupational health hazards in the plant.
Education
No Degree - SAFETY & SECURITY MANAGEMENT
ADVANCE DIPLOMA IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY & SECURITY MANAGEMENT
NAGPUR 04.2001 -
No Degree - Occupational Health And Safety
NEBOSH CERTIFICATE
Delhi, India 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Technology - Mechanical Engineering
IGNOU
Chennai, India 04.2001 -
No Degree - Mechanical Engineering
DIPLOMA IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CHENNAI 04.2001 -
Skills
Contractor Management
Permitting Process
Risk Assessments
Health and Safety Audits
Workplace inspections
Hazard Identification
Accident Prevention
First Aid Training, Mock Drills
Safety audits
Accident investigation
Confined Space Entry
Safety,Mental Well being, Ergonomics Training
Strategic planning
Certification
Lead Auditor ISO 45001
Timeline
Blanchard Management Essentials
07-2025
South -Region EHS Senior Manager
ST Telemedia Global Data Centers
10.2023 - Current
Fire Safety Management-ITCILO
02-2023
TN State - HSSE Head - Circle HSSEM
Summit Digitel - Brook Field
01.2021 - 10.2023
India Unit -HSSW Manager
Mott MacDonald Private
12.2019 - 12.2020
EHS - Environmental Health and Safety Professional -Certified IOSH
12-2019
Dale Carnegie Training -Leadership Skills
02-2018
Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies -Executive Leadership Program
11-2016
Nagpur Cluster HSSE Lead & Engineer Role
Larsen & Toubro Limited
09.2006 - 01.2017
Diploma Trainee
Friends Engineering Works
05.2005 - 08.2006
No Degree - SAFETY & SECURITY MANAGEMENT
ADVANCE DIPLOMA IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY & SECURITY MANAGEMENT
04.2001 -
No Degree - Occupational Health And Safety
NEBOSH CERTIFICATE
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Technology - Mechanical Engineering
IGNOU
04.2001 -
No Degree - Mechanical Engineering
DIPLOMA IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
04.2001 -