Dr. R. K. Elangovan

Former Director General & Chief Inspector of Dock Safety
Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India

Dr. R. K. Elangovan is a distinguished Industrial Safety and Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) expert with over 33 years of experience in industrial safety, regulatory enforcement, risk management, and workplace safety leadership. He served as Director General & Chief Inspector of Dock Safety at the Directorate General Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, until February 2024.

He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Safety (Education), an M.Tech. in Machine Design from IIT Madras, an M.Sc. in Environmental Science, a PGDBA, and a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University. His outstanding contributions to industrial safety earned him international recognition through inclusion in the Marquis Who’s Who in the World (2010 Edition).

Dr. Elangovan played a key role in shaping India’s Occupational Safety and Health framework, including the formulation of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code, 2020. He has chaired and served on numerous Central and State Government committees on factory, dock, construction, and fire safety.

An internationally recognized safety professional, he has represented India at the G20 Occupational Safety & Health Network, the Rotterdam Convention, and several other international safety forums. He is a Lead Safety Auditor, DNV-qualified Safety Auditor, Government of Karnataka-approved Safety Auditor, and a certified trainer under the ILAB India Occupational Safety & Health Modernization Program Trainer Academy conducted at the University of Texas at Arlington, USA.

His areas of expertise include Safety Audits, HAZOP, HIRA, Fire Safety, Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS), Accident Investigation, Legal Compliance Audits, Emergency Planning, Risk Assessment, and Safety Culture Development across industries including Steel, Chemicals, Mining, Cement, Power, Engineering, Construction, Defence, Automotive, Dock Operations, Manufacturing, and Infrastructure.

Dr. R. K. Elangovan continues to contribute as a respected advisor, trainer, auditor, and thought leader, advancing global best practices in occupational safety, industrial risk management, regulatory compliance, and sustainable workplace excellence.