Engineers
Without Borders Bangladesh initiative on construction worker safety and skill
development.
The construction
workers are under privilege in our country. The construction worker is the key
person to the civilization of a country. It will have to be taken the action
for the train up the construction workers to develop their skilled and
knowledge. Engineers Without Borders Bangladesh have been taken some initiative
to produced some skilled construction laborer with the increasing knowledge of
safety, quality and mobilization of works.
Bangladesh
is the export leader of the skilled man power exporting in construction sector.
The
construction industry undoubtedly plays a significant role in the economic
development of a
country. At present there is a culture of high rise buildings, foot over bridge, building construction and repair of roads, placing of utility services etc. and it seems that the city is in building construction frenzy although it indicates the continuous development of the country. Unfortunately, it is done in a very careless and unprofessional manner without the safety practices.
country. At present there is a culture of high rise buildings, foot over bridge, building construction and repair of roads, placing of utility services etc. and it seems that the city is in building construction frenzy although it indicates the continuous development of the country. Unfortunately, it is done in a very careless and unprofessional manner without the safety practices.
However,
statistics have proven this field to be highly hazardous. Construction workers
are backbone of this industry as this sector is less mechanized and more labor
intensive. Recent fire incidents and building collapse has made the issue live
to us. Thus, ensuring workers safety becomes a major consideration. Bangladesh
workers, human right organizations, informational concerned parties have raised
the demand for ensuring workers safety in Bangladesh.
So we The Engineers Without
Borders Bangladesh realize its importance and try to keep on track with the
international standard. Four major
industries can be mentioned where the laborers are working with lack of safety
and several death occurred every year. These are :
Ø RMG (Ready Made Garments) industry
Ø Ship Breaking Industry
Ø Leather Industry
Ø Construction Industry
Ø Developer Firm
Ø Real Estate Company
Ø Builders company
Ø Engineering firms
OUR AWARENESS INITIATIVE:
v Workers
Safety:
For head safety helmets should be worn by the
workmen and other personnel at all times during the work. Safety goggles should
be used during drilling, cutting, welding to protect the eyes. The welders and gas cutters should
be used gloves, safety boots, aprons and
hand shields, filter glass of accepted standard to the eyes
v Site
Safety:
1. Construction site should be surrounded by
boundary walls or by fences. During the erection of tallbuildings, nylon net
should be put around the building.
2. Warning signs should be displayed, where
necessary areas like high voltage zone, area of nosmoking zone etc. All
electrically operated hand tools should be provided with earthing.
3. Toilet facilities should be provided at all
construction sites. The wells should be provided with proper covers, bad smell
protector should be used. Men and women workers should have separate sanitary
and washing facilities. Washing facilities provided at the site should be
connected to the available running water supply.
4. Safe drinking water should be provided to the
site.
5. Proper accommodation for taking meals and for
taking shelter during work in night time, including provision for lights and
fans should be provided.
v Below
Ground Safety:
1. The type and design of the foundation should
ensure the safety of workmen during construction. Sufficient care should be
taken in areas, where withdrawal of groundwater from surrounding areas could
result in damages to such foundations. During the construction of the
foundation, it should be ensured that the adjoining properties are not
affected. The process of excavation, filling in, pumping etc. should not affect
the partially completed structure. Excavation of interrupted or temporarily
suspended construction should be backfilled. During construction, inspection
should be made by the engineer-in-charge. Before carrying out any excavation
work/pile driving, the position, depth and size of underground structures, such
as water pipes, mains, cables or other services in the vicinity to the proposed
work, should be obtained from the appropriate Authority to prevent accidents of
workmen engaged in excavation work and also general public.
2. Heavy equipment, such as excavating machinery,
should be kept away from the trenches. All excavating tools should be kept far
away from the edge of trench. Proximity of buildings, piles of lumber, crushed
rocks, sand and other construction materials, large trees, etc. may impose
surcharges on the side of the trench to cause bulging, sliding, etc. Additional
protective measures should be taken to support the sides of the trenches under
these conditions. Where deep excavation is required, the location of
water-bearing strata should be determined and the water pressure observed to
take necessary precautions. Basements or pits below ground water level, which
rely on the weight the superstructure for their stability against floatation,
should be pumped day and night. Protective filters should be used during heavy
pumping in excavations. The water should be drawn away from the excavation
rather than through the ground towards the excavation.
3. Effect of climatic variations and moisture
content variations on the materials under excavation should be constantly watched
and precautions taken where necessary immediately to prevent accidents at work
site. Precautions, against pockets of poisonous/dangerous gases including
protection to the workmen, should be taken during deep excavation.
4. Overhangs in the trenches should be supported by
props. Use of heavy machinery should be avoided under or over this area.
5. Mechanical ventilation should be provided where
gases or fumes are likely to be present in trenches. The precautionary measures
provided shall meet the requirements of the local health authority. The owner
should ensure that all precautionary measures have been taken and been
inspected by the appropriate Authority.
6. Materials required for excavation, like ropes,
planks for gangways and walkways, ladders, etc, should be inspected by the
Engineer-in-charge. Where excavation is going on, for the safety of public and
the workmen, fencing should be erected. All piling and deep foundation
operations shall be supervised by a competent foreman. Filtered compressed air
should be supplied. Methanometer shall be used to detect hazardous gases. Pile
driving equipment should be inspected by an engineer at regular intervals not
exceeding three months.
v Walling,
scaffoldings & Formwork Construction Safety:
1.
Properly designed and
constructed scaffolding built by competent workmen should be provided during
the construction of the walls to ensure the safety of workers. The scaffoldin
can be of timber, metal or bamboo sections and the materials in scaffolding can be inspected for soundness, strength, etc, at
site by the Engineer-in-charge. The scaffold should be checked after every 15
days in rainy season and 30 days in dry season.
2.
Before making an
opening in an existing wall, adequate supports against the collapse or cracking
of the wall portion above the opening or roof or adjoining walls should be
provided. Care should be taken in carrying large bars, rods, etc, during construction
of the walls to prevent any damage to property or injury to workmen.
3.
Formwork provided for
horizontal projections out of the wall should not be removed till walls, or
other stabilizing construction, over the supporting edge of the projecting
slabs providing protection against overturning are constructed. In case of
precast columns, steel beams, etc, proper precautions should be taken to
correctly handle, use and position them with temporary arrangement till
grouting of the base.
4.
No scaffolding, ladder,
working platform, gangway runs, etc, should exist within 3 m from any
uninsulated electric wire.
5.
Platforms, catch ropes,
nets etc. should be provided during the construction of roofs. Precautions
should be taken to employ the correct techniques. The floor of one storey
should be used for storage of materials for the construction of roof, it should
be ensured that the total load does not exceed the capacity of the floor.
6.
The formwork should be
strong and rigidly braced so as not to bulge or sag when concrete is placed.
7. The formwork should be water-tight especially for the roof slab and
All formworks and
scaffolds should be strong, substantial and stable.
8.
Adequate supply of
bolts, washers, rivets, pins etc. of required sizes should maintained at all
times.
v Concrete
Work Safety:
1.
All workmen in concrete
work should be provided with helmet and hand gloves, especially when concrete
pumps, concrete trucks or concrete precast elements are used. Precast piles
should be lifted and driven by skilled workmen under the supervision of a
foreman. Temporary fencing, either with bamboo or C.I. sheet, should be erected
around heavy equipment delineating the danger zone. All centering and
shuttering materials should be kept stacked at site before and after use.
2.
Scaffolds, formwork and
components thereof should be capable of supporting without failure, at least
two times the maximum intended load.
All formworks and
scaffolds should be strong, substantial and stable.
3.
The erection and
striking off, especially of steel structural frame, should done by skilled
workers. Built-up, swinging and suspended scaffolds should also erected by
competent workers. Care should be taken to keep fire alarms, hydrants, cable
tunnels etc. unobstructed during the construction of scaffolding and placement
of ladders, concrete etc.
v
Electrification, Equipment, Fire and Construction Hazards Safety:
1.
All temporary and
permanent wiring systems should be designed by an engineer. All temporary
wiring should be done by an electrician holding relevant license.
2.
Protection should be
provided for all electrical wiring laid on floor.
3.
Lifts should be
installed as per instruction of the manufacturer and under proper guidance. If
necessary, guards should be stationed at the installation site. Building
materials should preferably not be carried in a lift.
4.
The construction
machinery should operated by competent operators only. The machinery should be
checked thoroughly for any defect periodically, as well as each day before use.
5.
Exhaust of petrol or
diesel powered air compressors, hoists, derricks, pumps and all such machinery
should away from combustible materials.
6.
All welding and
flame-cutting operations should be performed in protected areas; closed spaces
should be properly ventilated. Suitable protection against the rays of the
electric arc should be provided where arc welding operations might be viewed
within normal range by persons other than the welding operators and inspectors.
7.
Gas cutting and welding
torches should be lighted by special lighters, not with matches. The cables
from welding equipment should not be run over by traffic. Double earthing
should be provided to the welding machines.
8.
If welding is to be
done near combustible materials, suitable blanket should be provided and fire
extinguishers should keep nearby. Welding should not done in areas where
flammable liquids and gases are stored. Gas lines and compressed air lines
should be marked differently by suitable color codes.
9.
Precautions should take
to correctly handle, use and position precast RCC columns, piles, steel beams,
joists,angles and other heavy elements.
10. A portable dry powder extinguisher of 3 kg capacity should
kept near all flame producing equipment. Where electrical equipment is used,
CO2 or dry powder extinguishers should be provided.
11. In addition to fire extinguishers, other fire extinguishing
equipment, e.g. sprinklers and hydrants should also be provided and
conveniently located both within the building under construction and at the
building site.
12. A permanent hydrant system should be made available before the
building has reached the height of 20 m. This should be extended with every
increase in the number of floors. All construction sites with a fire risk
should have at least two exits.
13.
An independent water storage facility should
provided before the commencement of construction operations for fire-fighting
purposes.
14. Highly flammable materials, such as gasoline, oil, paints
etc. should be stored
15. in approved containers. Rubbish, trash, nuts, bolts and small
tools should not be allowed to accumulate on the site and should be removed as
soon as conditions warrant.
16. All temporary or permanent high pressure steam boilers should
operate only by licensed operators.
17. Noise should be controlled, if possible, by soundproof
shields, baffles or absorbent lined booths being fitted near or around the
source. Other general methods of control should include silencing of machine
exhaust, choice of quite machines etc. Ear plug and ear muff should be used
etc.
v Finishing
Safety:
1.
The quantity of paint
and thinner required only for the day's work should be issued from the store.
All unused containers of paint and thinner should be closed with tight-fitting
lids, and should kept at a safe place away from the work site.
2.
Extra care should be
taken while handling polish consisting of acid and other chemical ingredients. Protective clothing, gloves, respiratory equipment, etc. should
be provided to the workmen applying polishes.
3.
Protective clothing,
gloves and shoes should be used in terracing work, especially while handling
lime and other ingredients.
The
member of Engineers Without Borders Bangladesh is counseling the construction
worker safety the skilled development programs.
Watch the Documentary on Mason in Bangladesh about to Construction and Building Safety
Watch the Documentary on Mason in Bangladesh about to Construction and Building Safety
Engineers Without Borders Bangladesh
and Website- www.ewb-bangladesh.org
Email: ewb.bangladesh@gmail.com
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