Page 35 - CV June-July 2023 Issue

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 Construction Workers (BOCW) Rules is not very well geared up for
(CDM) makes construction clients, designers, and contractors capturing this data, unlike the enforcement authority for Factories
responsible for work to be carried out in a way that ensures the health Rules, where accurate data is available.
and safety of workers and the public. Laws such as the Control of
Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2012 are there to The official statistics for work-related fatalities, injuries, and cases of
protect employees from the risk of exposure to hazardous ill health usually don't give a clear picture of the scale of the problem.
substances, such as dust, vapour, fumes, and gases.
The health and safety of migrant workers should be made a priority
Most importantly companies that fail to comply with health and safety In India, however, for many employers in the construction sector, the
laws face the risk of criminal prosecution and financial penalties. In health and safety of workers become a priority only after serious
2017-2018, £19m in fines were imposed on British construction accidents, which is also short-lived and after some times, it becomes
companies for breaching safety protocols. business-as-usual. The workforce mostly comprises rural workers
who migrate to towns and cities in search of work due to factors like a
In India however, in some of the unorganized sectors, employers are lack of employment opportunities in villages or farming and poverty.
not legally obliged to report work-related accidents, injuries, and Unfortunately, at the construction sites in the cities, they face unsafe
cases of ill health to the enforcing authorities. Also, many incidents, and unhealthy working and living conditions. Poor accommodation,
like deaths on construction sites are not officially reported, mainly due food and sanitation, unsafe working practices, and inadequate
to the fact that enforcement authority for the Building & Other healthcare provision are common.

CONSTRUCTION VISION 33 JUNE-JULY 2023