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April, 2000 SAFETY in construction is one area often relegated to the bottom rung of priorities by the builders and the engineers. Irreparable loss of money, manpower and progress may occur whenever a scaffolding fails, a roof collapses or a fatal accident takes place at site of work. Many builders have the experience that once a worker loses his life in an accident at site, the morale of the working force sinks to a new low. The spirit of working and the progress of work never remain the same as have been earlier. Despite this realisation, safety aspect is often ignored. We, the Indians, are habitual of getting shock treatment. Only when some untoward incident occurs, we begin to take safeguards. Till then, we simply sleep. Findings of the International Labour Organisation reveal that the accident rate among industrial workers is highest in India, touching 4 per 1000 and a major share of it goes to the construction sector. Indian construction industry is highly labour-intensive. Though mechanisation in construction projects is inevitable but machines are being adopted in a very slow manner. The labour is cheap, unorganised, unaware of its rights and mostly struggling to make both ends meet. The builders, therefore, find it convenient and profitable to use manpower than machines. Builders dread occurrence of an accident at their work-sites. They know that one fatal accident may result in closure of work for a few days and rise of fear among workers who may refuse to work at higher elevations. Not only this, the credibility of the builder may be at stake. He may have to pay a large amount on account of compensation if the workers are not covered under group insurance. Besides, he may have to wriggle out of legal complications arising upon occurrence of the accident. Now certain organisations have begun to ask for “certified accident record” of the builders before allotting works to them. A high incidence may result in disqualification of a builder. An accident may cause so much trouble. Yet, the only “safety measure” the builders take is to keep praying to gods to keep their site free of accidents. No other measures are taken. It is time that a “Construction Safety Manual” is evolved, made a part of standard tender document in every organisation and strictly enforced by the supervising agency. Some teething troubles may arise in doing so but gradually the safety aspect will become a part and parcel of every site and the builders will not hesitate in making expenditure on this account. Looking for a concise construction safety manual, various requirements may be summed up and classified in a few categories as under: Safety measures while handling tools, equipment and machinery: 1. All electric tools must be properly insulated. 2. All winches and hoists shall be provided with magnetic brakes for automatic operation on failure of electricity. 3. No metallic ladders shall be used when high voltage electric wires are passing overhead. 4. Only skilled persons shall be allowed to handle equipment or machinery. 5. All compressed gas cylinders shall be stored in upright position only, with their valve caps in position. 6. All equipment shall be properly earthed. 7. No electric tools shall be used while standing in water without taking proper precautions. 8. All wire ropes shall be thoroughly checked against any broken strands. 9. Flash back arrestors shall be provided on gas cylinders. 10. All machine guards shall be kept in position while the machines are running. 11. No discarded tools, equipment or machinery shall be allowed to use. 12. The scaffoldings and the wooden planks used shall be strong and durable. Accessories to be provided to the workers :— 1. All workers shall be provided with safety helmets when work at higher elevations is in progress. 2. All workers deployed at higher elevations shall wear safety belts. 3. Protective gloves, shoes and aprons shall be provided to all workers handling electric equipment and chemicals. 4. Ear plugs shall be provided to workers deployed in high noise level locations. 5. Face masks or nose filters shall be worn by workers in areas where obnoxious gases are released by chimneys or chemical plants. Respiratory equipment shall be available for use when required. 6. Safety goggles and shields shall be used by workers engaged in welding work. 7. Gum-boots and torches shall be provided to workers working inside tunnels. 8. Breathing air hoods shall be provided to workers doing sand blasting or spray painting work. 9. Other accessories as suggested by “Safety organisation” with respect to the nature of work shall be provided. Safety arrangements to be made at site work :— 1. “Men working overhead” signboards shall be placed around structures on which work is in progress at higher elevations. 2. All floor openings in intermediate floors of a building shall be kept covered with gratings. Otherwise temporary protective railings shall be provided. 3. Warning lights (during night) and red flags (during daytime) shall be provided around dangerous areas of working, near ground-level water tanks and near trenches and excavations. 4. Proper railing shall be provided around all working platforms at higher levels. 5. Nylon safety-mesh shall enwrap working platforms of high-rise structures. 6. Sufficient illumination of all working levels and access arrangements shall be ensured. 7. Any spill-over of oil or grease on ladders, stairs or landings shall be cleaned at once. 8. The height of ladders shall be restricted. Too long ladders shall not be allowed. Intermediate platforms shall be provided to give relief to workers going up. 9. All access arrangements shall be inspected by the engineer to be safe and well supported before allowing their use by the workers. 10. Proper bearing shall be provided to the planks and battens used in temporary platforms. No overhangs shall be permitted. 11. All scaffoldings and shuttering shall be well braced and supported. It must be examined and passed by the engineer before allowing pouring of concrete. 12. In “enclosed” working areas such as tunnels, proper ventilation arrangements shall be made. 13. Full arrangements for storage and handling of explosives, radio-active elements and chemicals shall be made. 14. Firefighting equipment shall always be kept ready. Fire extinguishers shall not be allowed to expire. 15. All working platforms shall be kept clear of projecting nails in wooden planks. Safety measures when work is in progress :— 1. Vertical cuts in excavation, if any, shall be fully braced or shored. 2. All excavated earth shall be stacked away from the cutting edge to avoid its falling over workers and buying them. 3. Site-offices and stores shall be located at a safe distance from the working area. This shall be specially ensured while constructing a high-rise structure. 4. All vehicles shall be parked away from work-site and the excavated area. 5. Periodic checks of wire-ropes, wooden planks, scaffoldings, shuttering, electric wires & cables and access arrangements shall be carried out. Safety Organisation :— On major projects, a proper safety organisation should be established that should make concerted efforts to ensure safety. On minor projects or construction sites, Safety engineers should be appointed. They should ensure implementation of above points. In addition, they should see that (i) Medical facilities and First aid is available at site (ii) An ambulance or a vehicle is always available to carry an accident victim to hospital (iii) One or two persons are trained in giving artificial respiration (iv) Accidents are reported at once to the Project-heads. The Safety organisation should celebrate “safety weeks” to create awareness among workers. Safety awards should be instituted. Accident investigations, lodging of claims and payment of compensation should be ensured by this organisation. Accidents must be declared intolerable. Safety must be assigned priority. As per a recent survey, Indian construction industry employs 3.2 crore people of whom 2.4 crore are workers. No doubt, it is a big force. Making it undergo safety training programmes may not look feasible at this stage but it can certainly be motivated to follow safety rules by holding safety talks from time to time.
Evolving of a “construction safety manual” and its implementation in true sense will ingrain the importance of safety in the mind of everyone concerned. Once this aim is achieved, we shall be able to match our safety-performance with the best in the world.
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