Page 36 - CV June-July 2023 Issue

Training is another area that the construction industry in India needs hazards during the project and take action to eliminate risks wherever
serious improvement. Although Workers receive many manhours of possible.
unstructured information on health and safety, they are poorly trained
in an organized manner, based on a comprehensive gap analysis Toolbox talks – informal meetings with construction managers and
between the desired level of competence and their actual level of workers to brief and discuss hazards, risks, and safety procedures, is
competence. Because of their temporary status (average retention of an effective way to ensure safety during construction projects, which
workmen in typical construction project is only 3 to 6 months), should be given to all employees every day.
contractors don't feel the need to invest their resources in training or
health and safety of the workmen. The construction industry should also consider using artificial
intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and drones to help control
Construction workers are also at risk of developing serious health risks to workers' health and safety. AI in construction can help the
conditions. Musculoskeletal disorders (like back injuries), caused by industry overcome some of the toughest challenges, including safety
manually lifting heavy loads, and respiratory ailments, such as concerns, labour shortages, and cost, time, and schedule overruns.
silicosis from exposure to dust while cutting and grinding up stones, Some of the major construction companies have made serious
are some of them. There is a general lack of awareness among the headway in using these emerging technologies in many functions
public, workers, and employers in India about serious work-related within construction project, including health and safety management.
health problems like these. Robotic plastering and painting is already being tested in some of the
projects and 3D printing of simple concrete structures is in the R&D
What should be done to improve construction safety in 2023 stage. All these developments are very promising and the health and
safety management in the next 3 to 5 years is going to get major
Frequent and rigorous safety inspections of construction sites by overhaul.
enforcement authorities are needed to prevent fatal and serious
accidents. Health and safety standards will receive a quantum jump, Construction companies should consider implementing health and
when the project managers are under threat of a visit by statutory safety culture change programmes. By improving their organisational
authority and possibility of serious fines and prosecutions, if they find culture and increasing staff engagement with health and safety
poor health and safety conditions. arrangements, companies can make a positive difference.
In conclusion, India should push for a culture change in 2023
Training workers to make them aware of the potential dangers they regarding the way that risks to workers' health, safety, and wellbeing
face and how to avoid them is one way to improve health and safety. are managed, including during construction work.
For example, implementing training programmes that teach roofers
and structural riggers to work safely at height and handle equipment Although legislation is important in helping to improve the overall
safely when erecting steel-framed buildings and structures. health and safety posture of an organisation, the project leaders in
Construction companies should put in place safety practices like the construction sector should take the lead in championing the need
dynamic risk assessment. This is a continuous process that will help for a good health and safety culture at every level of an organisation.
identify hazards and assess risk. Companies can monitor and review

CONSTRUCTION VISION 34 JUNE-JULY 2023