People who preach and practice as well are quite rare and fortunately for us Indians in Kuwait we have amongst us Mr. Ashok Garlapati, who was adjudged as the Safety Professional for the Year (SPY) 2010 by Region VI of American Society for Safety Engineers (ASSE). Mr. Ashok has been associated with ASSE –Kuwait Chapter over a decade at different positions as a Committee Head, Secretary, Vice President, President and currently serving the Chapter as an Advisory Committee member. In order to gain an insight into the efforts that he has put in, to be conferred upon this prestigious award, IIK had a friendly chat with this wonderful gentleman, while liberally munching on some delicious pakodas and dahi vadas prepared by his equally enthusiastic and energetic wife Mrs. Anita.
IIK: What are your specific areas of contribution that has resulted in you being adjudged as The Safety Professional of the year?
Mr. AG: ASSE, is a non-profit organization working with an objective of protecting people property and environment. The Society has laid down this Award program based on criteria with seven focused areas, on which an ASSE member is selected to receive this prestigious award. The criteria are well researched and well laid. To be considered for this award a person should be a member of ASSE and should have
i. Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in Technical Aspects and Operational Aspects,
ii. Services to ASSE at Chapter, Region and International level,
iii. Professional contributions in Health Safety & Environment field (Authorship of papers in standard journals and conferences; participated in community services and academics, development of Codes, Standards, Legislations etc.),
iv. Received earlier honors and awards & and has been Innovative and improved conditions in his area of influence in the HSE field
v. Proven track of Management Leadership,
vi. Endorsements from Supervisors and other ASSE members/chapters and pioneers in the field
vii. Other relevant accomplishments in the field.
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Ashok Garlapati receiving Charles Culbertson Award in the year 2008 |
ASSE is divided into 8 Regions, and Kuwait Chapter falls under Regions VI, which consists of 16 Chapters. Of the 3,000 members in Region VI ASSE members, nominees were finalized to vie for the award and I was chosen to receive this award for the year 2010. I participated with ASSE- Kuwait Chapter activities over a decade in conducting various professional development conferences, conducting community awareness programs, participation in ASSE Global Taskforce, participation in ASSE International Practice Specialty, member of ASSE Diversity Committee etc. I provided OSHA outreach training to many ASSE members and they are in-turn continuing to make the positive difference at their work places. Recently, we introduced ASSE GCC HSE Excellence Award for the private sector in which I played a key role in promoting this Award program. This is the first of its kind in recognizing private sector companies for performing good HSE performance. I was instrumental in collaboration of ASSE-Kuwait Chapter and ASSE-Region VI. I played a key role in attaining global recognition for the Kuwait Chapter. This year, I have been chosen as the Chair of ASSE Diversity Committee. In fact, I spend more family time with ASSE activities than with my family. Serving ASSE is my passion and I really enjoy in this service.
It is a great encouragement for me to get recognized with the SPY Award. At this juncture, I dedicate this award to my family, my fellow ASSE members and my Team members for their unstinted support in my endeavors.
IIK: Is ASSE an International Organization?
Mr. AG: Yes, it is an International Organization, though it has the name of country America in it. The roots and the base of this organization are in America but its principles and guidelines for safety are universally applicable and they are well researched. Hence it has attained the global status. ASSE constituted a Global Taskforce in 2007, in which I was a member representing Kuwait Chapter. The objective of this Taskforce was to enhance ASSE presence on global level. I took up the causes of our Kuwait Chapter members and requirements through this Taskforce. One of the biggest benefits achieved through this Taskforce is the introduction of annual membership fees based on the World Bank Criteria for different countries. The annual fees for this organization are USD120 which is high for many of the safety professionals belonging to developing and under developing countries. Kuwait Chapter played a major role in bringing about a change in this fees structure so as to accommodate as many professionals as possible. As per the new membership fee structure, members from UK, USA Canada pay USD 120 annually, members from GCC Countries where many expats form different countries live and work pay USD90 annually and members from Asia and Africa continents pay USD 60 annually ( Refer www.assekuwait.org for more details). Because of this fee structure, the membership strength grew by a phenomenal in Kuwait Chapter about 300% over three years. I was awarded with Charles Culbertson Award in the year 2008 for my contribution in globalization of ASSE.
IIK: What are the motivational factors that made you join this esteemed organization as a member?
Mr. AG: Safety is everybody’s responsibility. I being a HSE professional and have worked in downstream and upstream companies I joined this ASSE organization to develop my technical and professional skills since ASSE is based on well-established guidelines. I have a great professional urge to improve skills in my profession and that fulfillment of the urge is achieved through ASSE. In Kuwait, the Chapter was established by Mr Ujwal Ritwik (who works for KNPC) in the year 2001 with the strong support of Mr Fadhel Al-Ali,( Ex-Manager – H & S of KPC) and other likeminded safety professionals. Since its inception, I have worked closely with them and many other Executive Members and brought this organization to this level today, which has attained a global recognition. I can confidently say that ASSE has given me platform wherein I could develop my technical skills very well and earned a string of add-on HSE certifications through it.
When I joined as a member, I was made a Committee Head which gave me lot of motivation. From then on, I took up various positions as its Secretary, Vice-President, and President and now as member of its Advisory committee. At this juncture I wish to add that Kuwait Chapter has done a yeomen service to enhance the image of ASSE and the efforts are largely due to active participation and support of local companies and its members.
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Ashok Garlapati receiving SPYAward in 2010 |
IIK: How can one join this organization?
Mr. AG: It is a very simple process. Any professional who has a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science or a Diploma holder can go to ASSE office of Kuwait Chapter located in Kuwait Society of Engineers (KSE) office complex and fill in the membership