India’s Factories Struggle to Meet Safety Standards

India’s manufacturing sector continues to face serious safety challenges despite regulations. In 2024, more than 400 workers died in workplace incidents, with chemical and pharmaceutical plants disproportionately affected. Safety audit effectiveness is hampered by systemic inspector shortages—states like Maharashtra see appointment rates as low as 39.34%—and audits often focus on formality rather than substance. Legacy audit processes fail to capture emerging hazards like extreme heat or evolving chemical risks, while most factories lack technology-driven prevention systems.

Immersive training using XR (extended reality) and AI-enabled tools offers solutions. A 2024 HTC VIVE survey found that 95% of industrial workers reported feeling safer after XR-based training. Manufacturing industry studies have shown XR instruction can reduce wiring errors from 50% to near zero and speed up learning by 24%. By implementing such training, India’s factories could improve hazard awareness, retention, and response—augmented by AI-powered feedback—thus strengthening safety culture and compliance.