construction safety 1

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Findings of the International Labour Organisation reveal that the accident rate among industrialworkers is highest in India, touching 4 per 1000 and a major share of it is accounted by thebuilding and construction sector. Indian construction industry is highly labour-intensive. Thoughmechanization in construction projects is inevitable, induction of machinery and equipment istaking place in a very slow manner. Unskilled and semi-skilled labour is cheap, unorganised, beingunaware of their rights, builders find it convenient and profitable to use manpower than machines.

However ECC Construction of L&T has a safety record that is among the best when compared toglobal construction companies.

Some of the findings of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in the field of safetyin construction are: 1. The accident rate in construction is four to five times higher than that of the manufacturingsector on the global scale. There is an increase in the numberof work related diseases associatedwith construction all over the world.2. After the initial employment, there is a dramatic increase in accident frequency over thefollowing six to eight months. This shows that more workers meet with accidents during the firstyear of their employment.

3. A study conducted in four industrialised countries - Canada, Japan, UK and US - showed thatdanger in the construction industry was more than four t imes than those in the manufacturingindustry.4. Another study of seven industrialised countries indicated that the average number of suchoccurrences per 1,00,000 workers was 12 per year, with some countries reporting 35 instancesper 1,00,000 workers annually.

However, compared to other countries, there is precious little authentic data in respect of theaccident rates, causes or preventive measures taken by the Indian construction industry. Noagency till date has been assigned the responsibility to compile such records, and no voluntaryefforts have been made in this regard. However, as per one report at an all India level, 165 per1,000 workers get injured during construction activities. This is very high compared to the rates in

the developed countries and even certain developing countries.

The reason why no agency has made any efforts in this direction is the lack of specific legislationon safety in the construction industry till as recent as 1996. Before the passing of the Building andOther Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996(BOCW Act), construction safety fell within the mandate of Industrial Disputes Act, Central LabourAct and other related legislations. Central Rules and the State Rules need to be made and theenforcing agencies need to be notified. However, till now apart from the Centre only two states,namely Delhi and Kerala, have set up the necessary State Rules.

Construction hazards are rated as eight times more risky than those frommanufacturing sector,'' the experts observed while participating indeliberations on ''Construction Safety and Emergency Preparedness'' heretoday.

The deliberations were part of three-day international conference on Fire,Safety and Security being organised by New Delhi-based NGO GreentechFoundation here in Goa.

In India, the construction industry is the second largest employer next to
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agriculture. The annual turnover of the construction industry is about Rs4,000 billion, which is more than 6 per cent of the National GDP even as itemploy a large work force.

Construction hazards are also rated as eight times more risky than thosefrom manufacturing sector, the experts said.

Construction safety is of paramount important. Construction site is thecluttered workplace, having many types of hazards due to complexity of thework environment, coupled with involvement of unskilled, illiterate andmobile work force it makes all the more difficult.

Mr Mathur, Senior Manager of Fire and Safety at Indian Oil CorporationLtd, Guwahati Refinery (India) illustrated in detail how fatalities occur onaccount of different reasons.

He said 45 per cent fatalities occur due to fall of persons, 12 per cent by fallof objects, 10 per cent hit and run by vehicle, 9 per cent by electrocutionand 3.5 per cent by collapse of structure or wall.

To avoid such fatalities a culture of safety, including conduct of inductiontraining at the commencement at work place, mock drills from time to timeand periodic refreshing courses besides appointment of safety officer, oneeach for every 1,000 construction workers, is required, the experts said.

They had also discussed in earlier sessions Communication Skills duringcrisis and Change Management.

Tomorrow, they would discuss Strategies for Preventing trips, Slips andFalls; Managing safety, Productivity and Quality to increase profitability andTraining Programmes on Safety

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY RULES


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ALL OF OUR SAFETY RULESMUST BE OBEYED. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN STRICT

DISCIPLINARY ACTION BEING TAKEN.

1. Keep your mind on your work at all times. No horseplay on the job. Injury or termination orboth can be the result.

2. Personal safety equipment must be worn as prescribed for each job, such as: safety glassesfor eye protection, hard hats at all times within the confines of the construction area wherethere is a potential for falling materials or tools, gloves when handling materials, and safety

shoes are necessary for protection against foot injuries.

3. Precautions are necessary to prevent sunburn and to protect against burns from hot

materials.

4. If any part of your body should come in contact with an acid or caustic substance, rush to the

nearest water available and flush the affected part. Secure medical aid immediately.

5. Watch where you are walking. Don't run.

6. The use of illegal drugs or alcohol or being under the influence of the same on the projectshall be cause for termination. Inform your supervisor if taking strong prescription drugsthat warn against driving or using machinery.

7. Do not distract the attention of fellow workers. Do no engage in any act which would

endanger another employee.

8. Sanitation facilities have been or will be provided for your use. Defacing or damaging these

facilities is forbidden.

9. A good job is a clean job, and a clean job is the start of a safe job. So keep your working area

free from rubbish and debris.


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10. Do not use a compressor to blow dust or dirt from your clothes, hair, or hands.

11. Never work aloft if you are afraid to do so, if you are subject to dizzy spells, or if you are apt

to be nervous or sick.

12. Never move an injured person unless it is absolutely necessary. Further injury may result.Keep the injured as comfortable as possible and utilize job site first-aid equipment until an

ambulance arrives.

13. Know where firefighting equipment is located and be trained on how to use it.

14. Lift correctly - with legs, not the back. If the load is too heavy GET HELP. Stay fit. Control

your weight. Do stretching exercises. Approximately twenty percent of all construction

related injuries result from lifting materials.

15. Nobody but operator shall be allowed to ride on equipment unless proper seating is

provided.

16. Do not use power tools and equipment until you have been properly instructed in the safe

work methods and become authorized to use them.

17. Be sure that all guards are in place. Do not remove, displace, damage, or destroy any safetydevice or safeguard furnished or provided for use on the job, nor interfere with the use

thereof.

18. Do not enter an area which has been barricaded.

19. If you must work around power shovels, trucks, and dozers, make sure operators can always

see you. Barricades are required for cranes.

20. Never oil, lubricate, or fuel equipment while it is running or in motion.


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21. Before servicing, repairing, or adjusting any powered tool or piece of equipment, disconnect

it, lock out the source of power, and tag it out.

22. Barricade danger areas. Guard rails or perimeter cables may be required.

23. Trenches over five feet deep must be shored or sloped as required. Keep out of trenches orcuts that have not been properly shored or sloped. Excavated or other material shall not bestored nearer than two feet from the edge of the excavation. Excavations less than 5 ft may

also require cave in protection in some instances.

24. Use the "four and one" rule when using a ladder. One foot of base for every four feet of

height.

25. Portable ladders in use shall be equipped with safety feet unless ladder is tied, blocked orotherwise secured. Step ladders shall not be used as a straight ladder.

26. Ladders must extend three feet above landing on roof for proper use.

27. Defective ladders must be properly tagged and removed from service.

28. Keep ladder bases free of debris, hoses, wires, materials, etc.

29. Build scaffolds according to manufacturers' recommendations and MIOSHA Construction

Safety Standard Part 12 - Scaffolding.

30. Scaffold planks shall be properly lapped, cleated or otherwise secured to prevent shifting.

31. Use only extension cords of the three-prong type. Use ground fault circuitinterrupters at all times and when using tools in wet atmosphere (e.g. outdoors) or


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with any temporary power supply. Check the electrical grounding system daily.

32. The use of harnesses with safety lines when working from unprotected high places is

mandatory. Always keep your line as tight as possible.

33. Never throw anything "overboard." Someone passing below may be seriously injured.

34. Open fires are prohibited.

35. Know what emergency procedures have been established for your job site. (location of emergency phone, first aid kit, stretcher location, fire extinguisher locations, evacuation

plan, etc.)

36. Never enter a manhole, well, shaft, tunnel or other confined space which could possiblyhave a nonrespirable atmosphere because of lack of oxygen, or presence of toxic orflammable gas, or has a possibility of engulfment by solids or liquids. Make certain aqualified person tests the confined area with an appropriate detector before entry, that the

necessary safety equipment is worn. Standby person may be required to be stationed at the

entrance.

Safety Tips For Construction Workers

Everyday construction workers face dangers that threaten their health and lives

Author: Brian Medini

Working in the construction industry can be dangerous. The nature of the work carriesrisks, and accidents can result in serious injuries or even death.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) law requires employers toprovide a work place that is safe and free from hazards. Yet, everyday constructionworkers face dangers that threaten their health and lives. According to OSHA, eachyear- 1000 workers die in construction related accidents - A quarter of a million workerssuffer injuries resulting in lost work days - Construction accidents cost the industry $13billion in workers compensation cost alone

OSHA statistics also show that 90% of the fatalities occur in four categories


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- Caught between objects - Struck by objects - Electrocution - Falls

These accidents are, therefore, preventable and can be avoided with the proper safetytraining, precaution, and common sense.

Construction work can indeed be dangerous. The line between a near miss and a fatalityis thin. Although, the government will enforce safety and health laws and employershave an obligation to provide a safe and healthy workplace, it is still your responsibility,and you owe it to yourself and your loved ones, to stay safe and out of harms way.

Government regulators and inspectors cannot be present at construction sites at alltimes and, due the nature of the construction business, employers cannot guarantee a100% safe work place. Simple things such as a change in the weather or the momentaryinattention of a fellow worker can lead to a dangerous situation in an instant.

With the proper safety training, awareness of your rights and responsibilities, andvigilance against hazardous work conditions you can reduce, if not eliminate altogether,your risk of being injured at work. Here are some things you can do.

- Take advantage of training programs provided by your employer, your union, and your safety society. - Observe safety rules and regulations at all times. - Know your equipment and use them correctly. - Wear and use the right personal protectiveequipment at all times. - Use proper barriers and guards always. - Don't take short cutswith fire, electrical, or fall protection safety equipment. - Be sure to crib, block and secure

all loads as soon as possible. - Take the time to do the job correctly. - Report unsafework conditions. - Refuse to work in unsafe conditions. - Watch a free constructionsafety video online by visiting http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/video/constructionsafety/video. html - Above all, be alert. It's your life andhealth that is at risk.

If you notice a hazardous situation at work you should bring it to the immediate attentionof your employer, your craft steward, or OSHA.

To report an emergency, fatality, or imminent life threatening situation to OSHA call 1-

800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5672.

To report other unsafe work conditions contact your local OSHA regional office. You canfile a report online or by fax, mail, and telephone. You can request anonymity and OSHAwill respect your request. Here are some useful links.

File online: http://www osha.gov/pls/osha7/eComplaintForm.html Complaintform:http://www.osha.gov/o shforms/osha7.pdf OSHA RegionalOffices: http://www.osha.gov/html /RAmap.html

About the author: Brian Medini in association with http://safety.1800inet.com For
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regulatory compliance and training videos related to construction safety, pleasevisitsafety.1800inet.com/top/construction
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