Safety Hazards

The construction, at project site, is highly accident prone. The accident rate in construction industry is at least four times higher than that in any other industries. The construction consists of work executed from temporary structures and semi-finished stages, e.g. scaffolding, stagings, and false work attached to and supported by permanent structures that are at various stages of erection and completion. The progress of execution of these operations is continuously transforming the machinery and equipment (facility) layout, and working environment. None of the safety precautions and safeguards adopted in permanent and "long-term" factories can be applied on construction sites. The working environment at the construction sites (temporary factories) is much more hazardous and straining due to rapidly changing character of worksites, uncertainties of the natural environment and fluctuating levels of heat, light and sound. This is in complete contrast with the working conditions and controlled environment of manufacturing and other industries. 

According to a survey in Ontario, Canada, the loss due to accidents in a particular year to construction industry in Canada was more than the total profit of all the contractors in Canada in that year. It is, therefore, imperative that safety environment and hence, the safety precautions and safeguards must be very carefully and exhaustively studied, researched and strictly enforced at construction site. Enough is not done in this area either by concerned government departments or by larger firms in construction industry. Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC) and National Institute of Construction Management and Research (MCMAR) efforts are also not sufficient in this field.