SAFE CONSTRUCTION [July 2012]

For construction activities, the future is moving towards wireless infrastructure, with connectivity being completely managed through the internet. A few crucial checks in place would ensure lower risk levels relating to safety and security at construction sites. Diipesh Bhagtani, Executive Director at Jaycee Homes outlines the safety hazards and counter measures
Safety at construction sites is of paramount importance in construction industry. Every developer strives hard to prevent accidents, injuries and fatalities at construction sites. However, injuries at construction sites cannot always be prevented. With modern technology being introduced in Indian construction industry, there has been a significant reduction in serious accidents in recent years.
Generally, a construction worksite is often a chaotic place with an incredibly high amount of action taking place. Workers and machines move about in frenzy; everyone is focused on the task at hand. In such an environment, construction accidents can and do occur despite of all preventive measures.Common types of construction accidents include construction site falls, crane accidents, scaffolding accidents, workers being injured by operating equipment, electrical accidents, trench collapses, fires and explosions. Each of these mishaps can be equally tragic and can be avoided to a large extent through the adoption of effective safety measures.
Proper safety equipment and precautions are necessary to protect the lives of workers and preserve the wellbeing of their families.
Accidents occurring due to malfunctioning of cranes and scaffoldings are common at construction sites. Crane operators are specially trained to control enormous pieces of powerful machinery that can accomplish seemingly impossible feats. However, there can be miscalculation sometimes even by an expert operating a machine which can cause injury or even fatal accidents. Equipment falling from great heights or cranes losing their balance and toppling can result in injuries to many people.
Scaffolding is a temporary framework used to support construction workers and their materials during the construction or repair of large structures. Scaffolds can reach considerable heights and must be built correctly in order to ensure the safety of those working with them. Scaffolding falls can occur due to variety of reasons. Faulty scaffolding construction is one of the most common reasons for scaffolding falls.
SAFETY MATTERSMaintain safety checklistKeeping construction sites safe is a crucial initiative in protecting the safety and health of construction workers. Having a safety checklist in place allows developers to effectively secure the work site. Most accidents occur due to employment of unskilled labour, defective equipment and non-compliance of standard safety procedures followed at the sites.
Adhere to Safety & Security RulesConstruction companies need to adhere to complete safety and security rules while rolling out any project to avoid unfortunate consequences later. Regular safety drills with all workers and employees, and even contractors could be useful in preventing accidents. Training from time to time is necessary. Any mishap hampers the goodwill of the developers; therefore, it would be in interest of the developers to take care of their image in safety as well.
Provide Efficient Lighting for Night-time ConstructionConstruction activity at night is yet another area of concern. It increases the risk by creating blind spots due to insufficient lighting and having fatigued workers on the site. However, by establishing and following certain guidelines, accidents can be reduced to a great extent. Creating an awareness of what is located at the site by indicative sign boards, as well as what could turn into potential hazards to workers are ways to reduce the chances of injuries. Important aspects of planning include installing proper signs, lighting, determining traffic patterns both on and off the work site and disposing hazardous material in the right way.
Arrange Safety Meetings PeriodicallyMeetings on safety procedures at construction sites should be held periodically. These meetings are designed to help both the site manager and workers understand the safety hazards that they may face at work, as well as identify issues that could potentially pose a problem. Construction safety meetings also provide employees a chance to address any work-related injuries that could have been suffered on-site since the past meeting and learn how their company has addressed the issue and adopt corrective measures.
Meet Worker & Building CodeConstructions sites should be carefully regulated and checked to ensure that they meet worker and building code safety requirements. Safety audits should be conducted on a regular basis by not only site managers and supervisors but also by local government offices. This is to make sure that not only the building and workers but the surrounding areas are also safe for the public.
Review On-Site Safety RegularlyConstruction sites are full of potentially hazardous situations for workers, making it important that on-site safety reviews be conducted on a regular basis during construction. These are necessary to ensure that all equipment is operational and the site is as safe as possible for workers. Safety reviews help site managers to quickly identify and fix any hazardous situations or equipment before an accident occurs.
These inspections also assist the management to make sure that their workers follow the health and safety programme and note which elements of the programme work as expected and which ones are not as effective.Wear Safety GearsSafety vests, also known as reflective vests, serve multiple purposes. These prove handy in saving human lives from unforeseen accidents. They come in bright reflective colours that are easily visible at night and during times of low visibility such as storms and fog. Reflective vests are recommended, and are even a necessity, for construction work at nights and even during disaster management programme.
Avoid Fire HazardsMost construction sites are rife with potential fire hazards. Fires pose a great risk of injury or death to construction workers. Fires also cause a risk to the public, depending on how significant the emergency is and its intensity to spread to other structures. The damage to the site costs significant money to a company.
Employ trained operators for construction equipment operationsThese days, construction equipment is found to be extremely powerful and complex, and often create dangerous conditions at the work site. Any moving equipment such as backhoes, trenchers, cranes, skip loaders, hi-lifts and large trucks are complex in terms of usage. Their usage by unskilled labourers could result in grave injuries to not only them but also to those in the vicinity of the equipment.
Enhance Safety AwarenessHeavy machinery and hard working conditions create a higher need to ensure that the workplace is safe. Implementing a construction site safety plan is necessary, but making it work can be tricky. Developers need to ensure that their workers are aware of what is required of them in terms of safety. They should also educate the workers about safety procedures in order to reduce workplace injuries in the construction zone.
A safe worksite is assured when management is supportive and workers are motivated to work safe. Safety training ensures the workforce is knowledgeable about safe work practices, regulations, company policies, and their craft. Conducting safety meetings and safety training plays a critical role in communicating the company's safety programme to its workers and training them to perform their jobs safely.
The construction industry has many hazards and dangers. Most accidents that happen on a construction job site are caused by lack of training, laziness, or carelessness. These can be prevented by following proper safety regulations. A construction company is required to comply with many government regulations in addition to its own safety policies. Training workers in safe work practices is critical to the success of any company's safety programme.
Safety signs alert people to hazards. They may be as significant as a high-voltage electrical hazard warning or as minor as a wet-floor indicator. They are there to keep people safe.
The OutlookThe future of safety and security at construction sites appears to be technology driven. The future is moving towards wireless infrastructure, with connectivity being completely managed through the internet. A few crucial checks in place would ensure lower risk levels relating to safety and security at construction sites.

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