Enforcing better safety is the need of the hour
Despite several casualties and accidents in the recent past, most construction workers are still not provided with even basic safety equipment. There are hundreds of construction workers, both local and migrant, who are engaged in several construction and roadwork projects across Puducherry.
In the past two months, five daily wagers who were working in construction-based activities died while on duty due to a lack of safety measures,
toms shoes. Four workers died when the scaffolding on the side of a water tank collapsed in Ashok Nagar and one worker died when a wall fell on him on the JIPMER campus. None of these workers were provided with even basic safety equipment, an official from the Labour Department said.
Even now, with construction work going on in several locations including at the airport and major roadwork taking place across the town, it is a very rare sight to see workers wearing slippers, let alone helmets and other safety equipment. Even contractors that have been employed by the government do not ensure even the barest safety measures.
big cities, the government ensures that contract labourers engaged in major projects are provided with helmets, shoes, reflective jackets and other equipment. When the construction work is over a certain height, nets are tied around the building to break a fall. It is possible to prevent many accidents in the workplace by simply following some simple instructions. Unfortunately, in Puducherry very few contractors adhere to these safety measures and the workers are at an increased risk of succumbing to accidents, the official said. The main problem is that there are over 700 contractors in Puducherry engaged in various constructions.
The PWD themselves have undertaken six major works and employ over 500 contractors. These contractors in turn let out the work to subcontractors. Very few contractors employed by both government and private agencies are registered with the Labour Department.
As per the Safety and Health provisions of the Central rules for Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service), 1998, employer shall ensure that all persons that are performing any work or services at a building or other construction work wear safety shoes and helmets conforming to the National standards. Workers engaged in operations like welding, cutting, chipping, grinding and other activities that may cause hazard to the eyes should be provided with safety goggles.
Further, workers that work in water, wet concrete or similar conditions should be provided with waterproof boots by the employer. Labourers who are required to work in the rain should be given waterproof coats with hats and those handling sharp objects or other materials that could cause hand injury should be provided with gloves, the rules state.
In terms of the stability of structures, the rules state that the employer should ensure that no wall, chimney or other structures remain unguarded in such condition that it may fall, collapse or weaken due to wind, vibration or other causes.
In addition, the Puducherry Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition), Act of 1970 specifies that sufficient supply of drinking water, latrines, urinals, washing facilities and first aid shall be provided by the contractor.
Although there are various rules and Acts in place to ensure the construction labourer safety, very few of them are being followed. Any violation of these rules should be brought to the notice of the Labour Department and suitable action will be taken, the official said.
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