What efforts are made in India to ensure construction safety?

In India, several efforts are made to ensure construction safety, aiming to mitigate risks and improve the working conditions of construction workers. Some of these efforts include:

1. Legislation and Regulation: The Government of India has enacted legislation and established regulatory frameworks to govern construction safety. The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, and the Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996, provide legal provisions for the safety, welfare, and working conditions of construction workers. Additionally, the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, 2020, aims to consolidate and amend laws related to occupational safety and health.

2. Safety Standards and Guidelines: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) develops and publishes standards and guidelines for construction safety, including codes of practice for various aspects such as scaffolding, formwork, excavation, and electrical safety. These standards provide benchmarks for construction practices and equipment safety.

3. Training and Education: Efforts are made to raise awareness and provide training on construction safety practices. Various government agencies, industry associations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) conduct training programs, workshops, and campaigns to educate construction workers, contractors, and supervisors about safety measures, hazard identification, and risk mitigation techniques.

4. Enforcement and Inspection: Government authorities, such as the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) and the Labour Department, conduct regular inspections and audits of construction sites to ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards. Violations are penalized, and corrective actions are enforced to improve safety performance.

5. Safety Committees and Committees: Many construction projects are required to establish safety committees comprising representatives from management, workers, and safety professionals. These committees oversee safety practices, conduct risk assessments, and recommend measures to enhance safety performance.

6. Technology Adoption: Advancements in technology, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), drones, and wearable sensors, are increasingly being used to enhance construction safety. These technologies facilitate real-time monitoring of construction activities, identify safety hazards, and improve communication among project stakeholders.

7. Worker Welfare Measures: The government and various organizations implement welfare measures for construction workers, including access to healthcare, insurance coverage, provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), and social security schemes.

Despite these efforts, challenges persist, including inadequate enforcement, lack of awareness, and resource constraints. Continued collaboration among government agencies, industry stakeholders, and civil society is crucial to address these challenges and improve construction safety in India.