The solar cell and module manufacturing facility of Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd in Gangaikondan, Tamil Nadu, operates with a workforce that is 80 per cent women, according to The Hindu BusinessLine. This high proportion of female employees has led management to focus on specific physiological and psychological challenges inherent to the industry. Workers at the plant, such as Subanayaki S and Ajitha M, report tangible strain from working in high-intensity environments like soldering stations and cleanroom assembly lines. The primary physical concern cited by these employees is constant exposure to heavy metals, a significant health risk in photovoltaic manufacturing.
To address these physical health risks, the company has implemented regular health checkups and blood screenings. A specific initiative named the 'Iron Women' programme focuses on vital health metrics, particularly anaemia. The Hindu BusinessLine reports that this programme has helped 35 per cent of female trainees reverse anaemia and maintain stable haemoglobin levels over a 12-month period. The facility also established an on-site 'Empower Clinic' to provide accessible medical care directly to the workforce.
Beyond physical health, the plant has integrated mental healthcare into its broader workforce well-being strategy. A leadership team member stated that these initiatives are contextualised for the young women workforce and cover 100 per cent of employees. This includes a partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) to provide confidential counselling support to staff at all levels, from operators to officers. The on-site clinic is staffed by three counsellors who offer psychological support, early intervention, and referral services.
The company has also introduced specific measures for persons with disabilities, including curated wellbeing check-ins and action planning supported by sign language interpretation experts. Plant officials emphasize that employee wellbeing is central to building a safe and high-performance workplace, rather than being a secondary corporate consideration. The facility’s approach combines industrial output with comprehensive physiological and psychological safeguards, aiming to ensure that the clean-energy transition does not come at the expense of worker health.