Govt-sponsored construction poses grave danger

Research reveals 60% of the projects do not meet ISO 14000 standards

LAHORE: Workers are exposed to life threatening hazards as 40% of government-sponsored sites have reserved zero in terms of budgets for safety measures during construction.

Since 55% of the sites contain high transmission lines and open cables, the probability of an accident has worried left workers and their families immensely worried. These findings were made in a recently published study that involved collecting data of safety measures from government-sponsored construction sites in Punjab.



The research is titled Investigation Regarding Safety Concerns on Construction Sites in Punjab, Pakistan and Their Remedial Measures. It has been authored by Dr Mahboob Chudhary from University of Lahore as well as Muhammad Zafar and Ali Ajwad from University of Management and Technology. It was carried out on the premise that there has been a tremendous increase in construction projects in Pakistan over the last two decades, whereas safety on site is of huge importance.

Data has been accumulated from 25 different government-sponsored construction sites in Punjab by supplying a questionnaire to the site engineers and managers. Mainly, the questions are concerned with environmental policies and compliance with international safety measures against hazards.

Published in the Nucleus, the Quarterly scientific journal of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, the study further reveals that almost 60% of the sites have an open drain hazard. Furthermore, results show that arsenic and fumes are present at 5% and 10%, respectively, of construction sites. At the same time, no safety measures, such as putting up warning signs, have been taken against such drastic hazards at 75% of the sites.

In the category of protection against environmental Hazards (noise), it has been found that only 32% of the companies have safety measures to prevent noise, 68% have measures for dust and only 5% have measures against vibration and temperature. Lastly, just 14% of the sites have adequate safety protection overall. Vibration, dust and temperature, considered as regular hazards in civil engineering, can seriously damage ears, eyes and lungs of workers.

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In the category of compliance with environmental policies, internationally known as ISO 14000, the research reveals that 60% of the projects do not meet the criteria to reduce adverse effects of construction on the environment.

The researchers further suggest that these companies should be banned from handle engineering projects as they violate international standards set for air and noise pollution control. It adds this negligent approach will ruin the environment and hence life on our planet.

Similarly, in the category of protection against health hazards, it has been observed that 27% of companies have protective measures against irritant materials, while 14% have protection against allergies, 23% have measures to combat toxic materials and just 5% have measures for fibro-genic and carcinogenic materials. If no protection is made against such hazards, the workforce may get ill which will eventually result in the delay of projects.

In the category of Safety Equipment Availability at construction sites, it is found that 90% of the sites provide safety helmets, gloves and boots.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2017.