Bring focus on building safely

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Feb 16 2013, 03:42 IST

than compliance. A lack of co-ordination and team effort between the management, engineers, supervisors and workers puts stumbling blocks in the way of a planned and seamless adoption of HSSE systems. By integrating HSSE demands right from the design stage all the way through to planning and construction, compliance can be a smoother process.

Coming to the workers, construction projects are temporary in nature and workers are engaged only for the duration of the project. Also, a large part of the labour force are agricultural labourers who go back to the farms during the sowing or harvesting season. Therefore, contractors are unwilling to invest time, effort and money into safety training or inductions.

Building a safer future

The call for improved safety and a more stringent enforcement of HSSE norms in the construction industry has been rising steadily over time. A series of front-page making accidents on high-profile projects like flyovers and bridges has brought the issue to the fore. Many initiatives are being taken now improve the situation, including legislation and stricter enforcement of HSSE norms in construction.

Building of competency among contractors and vendors is one of the first steps towards a safer construction environment. Better training and education about aspects of health, safety and environmental hazards is imperative across all levels. From safety inductions for workers before entering a site, to having safety officers and emergency aid on site, HSSE norms have to be followed in letter and spirit.

The establishment of engineering controls can

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