Construction Site Safety – Need of the hour for workers

The Indian construction industry is the second largest contributor to the nation’s economy. More than 16% of the Indian population earns their livelihood as construction workers. 

These labourers and helpers perform many tasks that require physical efforts on construction sites, which includes 

• Clean and prepare construction sites by removing debris and possible hazards 

• Load or unload building materials to be used in construction 

• Build bracing, scaffolding, and temporary structures 

• Dig trenches, backfill holes, or compact earth to prepare for construction 

• Operate or tend equipment and machines used in construction 

• Follow construction plans and instructions from supervisors or more experienced workers 

• Assist craft workers with their duties 

Construction is an industry filled with potential dangers. The heavy equipment and job site conditions can create dangerous situations that require careful navigation. As per the reports from International Labour Organisation in 2020, India has the highest accident rate among construction workers, with an average of 165 per 1000 injured on the job. 

All employers have a responsibility in protecting the health and safety of their staff, regardless of their occupation or industry. 

For construction workers, who are exposed to high risk environments, there are additional dangers which must be considered. 

1. Falling: Though falls can happen in a variety of situations, many occur when workers are using ladders. Ladder falls account for approximately 24,882 injuries and 36 fatalities yearly in the construction industry. Falls from construction ladders may occur when: 

• The wrong type of ladder is used for a task 

• Workers are improperly trained on ladder safety 

• A ladder is structurally damaged, including broken or missing rungs, steps or cleats, split or bent side rails and missing or damaged safety devices 

• A ladder is used beyond its maximum intended load 

• A metallic ladder is used for electrical work or near power lines 

2. Slipping: Construction sites can sometimes become a maze of equipment, debris, dirt and more. Navigating around a busy site — even when using caution — can cause workers to slip and trip. There are a variety of substances and items that may cause a slip or trip on a construction site, including Water, Mud, Grease, Oil, Dust, etc. 

3. Inhaling hazardous chemicals: Construction workers intake several respiratory hazards and may interact with toxic materials such as lead, Chromium and other harmful particles. Workers who take part in demolition, renovation, installation or other activities, can be at a risk of in taking these dangerous chemicals exposure, which may cause irreversible organ and system damage. 

4. Accidents: “Struck-by” accidents occur when a worker is hit by a vehicle, falling object or flying object. Workers may be at risk for a falling object incident when working beneath cranes, scaffolds or anywhere where overhead work is being performed. Flying object risks occur when workers are using power tools or completing activities that could cause an object to become airborne. 

5. Noise Pollution: Much of the equipment used on a construction site generates high levels of noise. Prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause irreversible hearing loss in construction workers. 

 

6. High power electric lines: Projects that occur close to overhead or buried power lines may endanger workers. These lines carry extremely high voltages of electricity, which can cause electrocution, burns and falls when touched. Equipment that makes contact with power lines can also cause hazards. 

Though the industry’s future looks bright with an expected contribution of 15% to the country’s GDP

by 2030, the safety measures for labourers need to be enhanced in an accurate way. 

Indirect costs of construction accidents can involve one or more of the following losses: 

• Cost of lost time of injured workers 

• Cost of time lost by other workers who stop work due to an accident 

• Cost due to the damaged equipment and/or other property 

• Cost due to spoilage of materials 

• Cost due to delay in progress of work 

• Cost of payment of wages to the affected employee during the period of injury 

• Cost of lost production resulting from the slowing down of other employees activities 

• Cost of time lost by the supervisory staff 

 “Everyone who is involved in the construction activity should shoulder the responsibility of identifying the potential hazards and make all efforts to eliminate them from the construction sites.” – R. R. Nair

Maintaining worker safety at your worksites could not only help in cost maintenance, but also helps in increasing efficiency while reducing the risk of loss. 

These tips* can get you off to a good start in making gains to cut the risks faced by your workers. 

1. Start with safety training : Site-specific induction training should be completed by each worker, to point out any high risk areas and provide instructions for emergency management. 

2. Minimize and manage risk : Due to the nature of construction work, it's impossible to eliminate all safety risks. However, many common safety issues can be avoided by conducting regular safety audits and having procedures in place to report, assess and address potential risks. 

3. Site security : Restricted site access should not only be put in place to simply protect equipment from damage or theft. Security in and outside of work hours is integral to protect pedestrians from potential construction hazards. This includes supervision or authorized site visitors. Strict security and safety protocols will also protect contractors from liability and negligence in the case of a safety incident or security breach. 

4. Safe work method assessment : A safe work method statement (SWMS)** must be prepared for all high risk construction projects, before work commences. The SWMS should outline the scope of work involved, any potential safety issues, and how risks will be prevented and managed. 

5. Use clear signage throughout the site : The site SWMS should be clearly displayed at the construction site, so that all safety protocols are readily available - including a 24 hour emergency contact number and a map or directions to the site office. Visible signage should also indicate site amenities (such as toilets), entry and exit points, and first aid or emergency fire equipment. 

6. Entry and exit points : Separate entry and exit points should be established for heavy machinery/vehicle access, to strengthen pedestrian safety at high traffic points. 

7. Compliant chemical storage : Chemicals need to be stored very carefully to minimize fires, explosions, asphyxiation, chemical injury and pollution on worksites. Use high quality, compliant outdoor storage solutions such as explosive storage cabinets to segregate chemicals and reduce spillage. 

8. Environmental conditions : Extreme weather conditions can cause serious safety hazards. Your on-site emergency plan should provide clear guidelines for workers who need to stop work in the event of natural disaster, severe environmental conditions or other emergency circumstances. 

9. First aid : For the construction industry, it's best practice to provide one first aid officer per 25 workers. First aid kits and equipment must be placed in a reachable area on site. 

10. Provide personal protective (PPS) equipment : In many situations an employer is obligated to provide PPS such as high vests, safety goggles and safety harnesses to construction site workers. 

 

Working while limiting the threats should be a continuous and mandatory goal. 

The Ministry of labour and employment of Indian government has established regulations*** on how construction workers are supported on the construction sites. 

These include: 

• The Fatal Accidents Act, 1885 

• The Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923 

• The Factories Act, 1948 

• The Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 

• The Central Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970 

• Building & Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Services) Act, 1996 

• Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996 

• Building & Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Services) Central Rules, 1998. 

• The National Building Code of India, 2005 

• Labour Code (Wage Code) – 2019 

• Social Security Code, 2020 

• OSH Code (Occupational, Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code) – 2020 

• Industrial Relations (IR) Code, 2020 

The thumb rule is workers should be given proper training about the safety protocols and employers should comply with the rules and regulations enabled by the government for the safety of their workers. Educating workers includes not only verbal training presentations, but also placing signage and keeping written training material in visible places on the jobsite to avoid any confusion while an emergency. The training should be easy to follow and should include policies and procedures for minimizing risks, using personal protective equipment properly and always keeping a check on their reporting area. 

And the most important part: When we are in doubt, we should ask for the help from supervisors or colleagues on initial level before it gets too late. 

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*(Source – HSE Network - https://www.hse-network.com/11-ways-to-help-keep-workers-safe-in-the-construction-industry/ ) 

**( Source -http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/CLT/pdf/UCHA_SWMS_Safe_Work_method_statement_Excavation.pdf ) 

***( Source –Ministry of Labour and Employment - https://labour.gov.in/ )