CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (BCE-602) Unit-IV

Accident and safety in construction

Causes of accidents

Causes of
accidents

Technical Management
Human Causes
causes causes

Mechanical Environmental
Personal factors
factors factors

Mechanical factors include:

 Unsafe mechanical design or construction

 defective devices
 improper material handling
 broken safety guards
 untested boilers or pressure vessels
 protruding nails

Environmental factors include:

 Very low temperature which causes shivering

 Very high temperature which causes headache and sweating
 Very high humidity which causes uncomfort
 Presence of dust, smoke, and lack of proper ventilation
 Noise, bad odour from nearby machinery or equipment

Personal (human) factors include:

 Age and health

 home environment
 Number of dependents and financial position
 lack of knowledge and skill
 Carelessness
 improper use of safety devices
 unnecessary exposure to risks

Management factors include:

 Non availability of safety accessories to the workers like helmet, plastic gloves, safety belts, etc.
 Lack of safety instructions and training
 Rapid change in character of work
 Lack of proper provision of safety officials and recruitment of technically incompetent workers

M Shaheer Ali

Asstt. Prof., CES, Univ. Poly., AMU Page 1

 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (BCE-602) Unit-IV

“PARTIAL DISABLEMENT” means,

a.) where the disablement is of a temporary in nature, such disablement as reduces the earning capacity of a
workman in any employment in which he was engaged at the time of the accident resulting in the disablement,
and
b.) where the disablement is of a permanent nature, such disablement as reduces his earning capacity in
every employment which he was capable of undertaking at that time:
Provided that every injury specified in Part II of Schedule I shall be deemed to result in permanent partial
disablement.
In case of temporary partial disablement, the disablement results in reduction of earning capacity in respect
of only that employment in which he was engaged at the time of accident. This means the workman’s earning
capacity in relation to other employment is not affected. But in case of permanent partial disablement, the
disablement results in reduction in his earning capacity is not only the employment in which he was engaged at
the time of accident but in all other employment.
TOTAL DISABLEMENT” means such disablement, whether of a temporary or permanent nature, as
incapacitates a workman for all work which he was capable of performing at the time of the accident resulting in
such disablement.
Provided that permanent total disablement shall be deemed to result from every injury specified in Part I of
Schedule I or from any combination of injuries specified in Part II thereof where the aggregate percentage of the
loss of earning capacity, as specified in the said Part II against those injuries, amounts to one hundred per cent or
more.

Measurement of accidents:

Injury frequency rate: It is defined as the number of disabling injuries per 1000000 man-hrs worked. A
disabling injury is an injury which causes a loss of working time beyond the day, shift or turn during which the
injury was received. It is expressed as:
Injury frequency rate:
[Note: It does not include the time lost because of an injury]

Injury severity rate: It is defined as the number of days of lost time because of injuries per 1000 man-hrs
worked. The Injury severity rate which indicates the severity of injuries, is expressed as
Injury severity rate =

Injury-index: It gives the overall picture of injuries signifying both frequency and severity and is expressed as
Injury-index =

Q.1. A contractor who employs an average of 350 men 36 hours per week for 35 weeks has 10 disabling injuries and total
of 50 days lost from work. Calculate injury-frequency rate, injury severity rate, and injury index.

M Shaheer Ali

Asstt. Prof., CES, Univ. Poly., AMU Page 2

 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (BCE-602) Unit-IV

Solution:

Injury frequency rate: = 10 x 1000000/(350 x 36 x 35)= 22.7

Injury severity rate = = 50 x 1000/(350 x 36 x 35) = 0.12

Injury-index = = 22.7 x 0.12 / 1000 = 2.57 x

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTS
Helmet, Gum boots, Gloves, Goggles, Apron, Safety sandles, Portable lamp, Fire extinguisher, Safety body belt,
Gas mask, Oxygen or air – breathing apparatus, Face mask, Ear protector, etc.

ACCIDENT PREVENTION
WAYS TO PREVENT INJURIES / ACCIDENTS:

1. Site preparation will aid in preventing injury and death on construction sites. Site preparation includes
removing all the debris existing on the site, leveling the ground, filling holes, cutting off tree roots, and
marking gas, water, and electric pipelines. This process improves the safety on the construction site.
2. Another prevention method on the construction site is to provide scaffold that is rigid and sufficient to
carry its own weight plus four times the maximum intended load without settling or displacement
3. safety Management
4. Integrate safety as a part of the job
5. Create accountability at all levels
6. Take safety into account during the project planning process
7. Make sure the contractors are pre-qualified for safety
8. Make sure the workers are properly trained in appropriate areas
9. Have a full protection system
10. Review accidents and near misses, as well as regular inspections

Safety measures for storage and handling of building materials

Cement: Cement bags should be placed in stacks on raised platforms, dry and impervious to water, with
proper waterproof roof covering and at least 30 cm clearance from the walls. The stacks should not be more
than 12 bags in height.

Lime: Lime should be stored in a proper shed to protect from dampness. It should not be stacked against any
wall. Unslaked lime should not be stored as it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere.

Masonary units: Bricks should be stacked at site in such a way that that the height of attack is not more than
1.5m. Bricks of different types and classification should be stacked separately. Similar is the case with stone
and concrete blocks.

M Shaheer Ali

Asstt. Prof., CES, Univ. Poly., AMU Page 3

 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (BCE-602) Unit-IV

Aggregates: Fine aggregates like sand, surkhi, etc. and coarse aggregate like stone chips, brick ballast should
be stacked on a hard surface to prevent mixing of clay, dust, etc.

Timber: Timber should be stacked above the ground level by at least 15cm. The width and height of stacks
should not be more than 2m and distance between adjacent stacks should be at least 20cm.

Steel: Steel reinforcement should be stored in a way to prevent corrosion. It is coated with cement wash to
prevent rusting. For moving heavy steel sections, suitable equipments should be used.

Door, window frames: Metal frames, aluminium frames, wooden frames and prefabricated frames of doors
and windows should be stored in upright position.

Other materials: Small articles like screws, bolts, nuts, door and window fittings, sanitary fittings, electrical
fittings should be kept in suitable containers in store rooms.

Safety measures in construction of elements of a building

1. The type and design of foundation should be such that proper safety of workers and building is ensured.
2. Properly designed and constructed scaffolding should be used for construction of walls to ensure safety
of workers. The scaffoldings may be of timber or steel but they must be tested for strength prior to use.
3. Whenever making a hole in walls, proper supports must be provided against collapse of wall portion
above or roof.
4. The shuttering should be strong enough to sustain the load of materials, weight of workers and any other
accidental live load. While removing the formwork, proper order of removal should be adopted to
prevent sudden falling of planks.
5. It must be ensured that sufficient number of workers is provided to carry fragile fixtures like glass panes,
sanitary fittings.

Safety measures in demolition of buildings

Before demolition:
1. Suitable bracing, shoring, etc. should be provided to prevent accidental collapse of the building.
2. All safety equipments must be given to the workers
3. Fire safety should be ensured.

During demolition:
1) All fragile materials like glass must be removed first.
2) All openings should be boarded first.
3) Dust must be controlled by suitable means to prevent harm to workers
4) Proper lighting and ventilation should be provided for the workers
5) Easy exit must be provided to the workers in case of an emergency
6) The demolition should be done storey by storey in the descending order

M Shaheer Ali

Asstt. Prof., CES, Univ. Poly., AMU Page 4

 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (BCE-602) Unit-IV

Safety measures for hot bituminous works

1. An experienced supervisor should be made incharge of the work to avoid the use of defective/unsafe
equipments and tools
2. Workers must be provided boots, gloves, goggles, helmets and other safety equipments.
3. Sufficient amount of clean dry sand or loose earth should be kept at the worksite for fire safety. If this is
not available, sufficient amount of water must be kept to extinguish fire.
4. Working platform should be provided while laying the hot bitumen
5. Proper traffic control systems must be established, when bituminous plants are working on a public
road.
(Note: For futher safety measures, you may refer to IS: 5916-1970)

Safety measures for excavation

1. Before excavation, a proper knowledge of underground structures such as sewers, water pipes, gas lines,
etc. is necessary to avoid accidents.
2. Safety equipments must be provided to the workers.
3. If depth of excavation exceeds 2m, trenches must be properly shored/timbered.
4. Sheathing should be placed at the side of the trench. For loose soils, sheathing should be driven into the
bottom of the trench.
5. Excavated materials must be kept away from the trench.
6. Heavy machines such as excavating machines, trucks, etc. must be kept at a suitable distance from the
trench.

Safety measures for scaffolding, ladders, formwork and other equipments

1. All scaffolds and working platforms should be securely tied to the building.
2. In case, scaffolds are to be kept for a long time, a regular plank staircase, wide enough to allow two
persons to pass, should be formed with handrails on both sides.
3. Ladders in heavy duty should not be more than 6m in length, for light works it can be 8m in length.
4. No un-insulated wires should exist within 3m of working platform.
5. The supporting ballas must be strong enough.
6. All working persons must be aware of the safety aspects of the machines used.

M Shaheer Ali

Asstt. Prof., CES, Univ. Poly., AMU Page 5

 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (BCE-602) Unit-IV

MINIMUM WAGES ACT, 1948

Objectives of the Act
1. To provide minimum wages to the workers working in organized sector
2. To stop exploitation of the workers
3. To empower the government to take steps for fixing minimum wages and to revising it in a timely
manner
4. To apply this law on most of the sections in organized sector (scheduled employment)
The Act lays down the principles for fixation of
a. A minimum time rate of wages
b. A minimum piece rate
c. A guaranteed time rate
d. An overtime rate for different occupations, localities or classes of work and for adults, adolescents,
children and apprentices
The minimum wages may consist of
 A basic rate of wages and a cost of living of allowances
 A basic rate of wages with or without the cost of living allowance and the cash value of the concessions
in respect of essential commodities supplied at concessional rates

TRADE UNION ACT, 1926

"Trade Union" means any combination, whether temporary or permanent, formed primarily for the purpose of
regulating the relations between workmen and employers or between workmen and workmen, or between
employers and employers, or for imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business. Trade
unions are formed to protect and promote the interests of their members. Their primary function is to protect the
interests of workers against discrimination and unfair labor practices. The act was passed to regulate:
1. Conditions governing the registration of a trade union.
2. Obligation imposed upon a registered trade union
3. Rights and Liabilities of Registered Trade unions.
Objectives of trade unions:
Wages/salaries
Working conditions
Discipline
Personnel policies
Welfare
Employee-employer relationship

M Shaheer Ali

Asstt. Prof., CES, Univ. Poly., AMU Page 6

 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (BCE-602) Unit-IV

THE CONTRACT LABOUR (REGULATION AND ABOLITION) ACT, 1970

To regulate the employment of contract labour in certain institutions and to provide for its abolition in certain
situations and for matters connected therewith.
It applies to—
1. To every establishment in which twenty or more workmen are employed or were employed on any day
of the preceding twelve months as contract labour
2. To every contractor who employees or who employed on any day of the preceding twelve months
twenty or more workmen
3. It extends to the whole of India.
4. It shall not apply to establishments in which work only of an intermittent or casual nature is performed.
Liabilities of the Principal Employer:
1. To pay wages in case the contractor fails to do so
2. To nominate a representative to be present at the time of disbursement of wages by the contractor
3. To provide welfare and health facilities
4. Right to recover the expenses involved from the Contractor through bills payable.
Liabilities of the Contractor:
1. Maintain a register in form XIII containing information like Wages, Deductions, Over time, Fines,
Advance, Wage slips.
2. Issue an employment card in form XIV to each worker and to issue a service certificate on termination
of employment in form XV
3. Submission of half yearly return to Licensing Officer in Form XXIV.
Latest Amendments:
 The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) (Amendment) Act, 1986.
 The Delegated Legislation Provisions (Amendment) Act, 2004.

PAYMENT OF WAGES ACT, 1936:

An Act to regulate the payment of wages of certain classes of employed persons, whereas it is beneficial to
regulate the payment of wages to certain classes of employed persons.
It is hereby enacted as follows:—
(1) This Act may be called the Payment of Wages Act, 1936.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
(3) It shall come into force on such dates as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official
Gazette, appoint.
(4) It applies in the first instance to the payment of wages to persons employed in any factory, to persons
employed (otherwise than in a factory) upon any railway by a railway administration or, either directly or
through a sub-contractor, by a person fulfilling a contract with a railway administration and to persons
employed in an industrial or other establishment specified in sub-clauses (a) to (g) of clause (ii) of section 2
(5) The Appropriate Government may, after giving three months’ notice of its intention of so doing, by
notification in the Official Gazette, extend the provisions of this Act or any of them to the payment of wages to
any class of persons employed in any establishment or class of establishments specified by the appropriate
Government under sub-clause (h) of clause (ii) of section 2.
(6) This Act applies to wages payable to an employed person in respect of a wage period.

M Shaheer Ali

Asstt. Prof., CES, Univ. Poly., AMU Page 7

 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (BCE-602) Unit-IV

WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT, 1923

(1) This Act may be called the Workmen’s Compensation Act 1923.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
(3) It shall come into force on the first day of July 1924.
Terms:
(a) Commissioner means a Commissioner for Workmen’s Compensation appointed under section 20;
(b) Compensation means compensation as provided for by this Act;
(c) Dependent means any of the following relatives of a deceased workman namely :- (i) a widow, a minor
legitimate or adopted son, an unmarried legitimate or adopted daughter or a widowed mother; and (ii) if wholly
dependent on the earnings of the workman at the time of his death a son or a daughter who has attained the age
of 18 years and who is infirm; (iii) if wholly or in part dependent on the earnings of the workman at the time of
his death- (a) a widower (b) a parent other than a widowed mother (c) a minor illegitimate son an unmarried
illegitimate daughter or a daughter legitimate or illegitimate or adopted if married and a minor or if widowed
and minor (d) a minor brother or an unmarried sister or a widowed sister if a minor (e) a widowed daughter-in-
law (f) a minor child of a pre-dead son (g) a minor child of a pre-deceased daughter where no parent of the child
is alive or (h) a paternal grandparent if no parent of the workman is alive;
Employer’s liability for compensation:
(1) If personal injury is caused to a workman by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment his
employer shall be liable to pay compensation in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. Provided that
the employer shall not be so liable - (a) in respect of any injury which does not result in the total or partial
disablement of the workman for a period exceeding three days; (b) in respect of any injury not resulting in death
or permanent total disablement caused by an accident which is directly attributable to - the workman having
been at the time thereof under the influence of drink or drugs or the willful disobedience of the workman to an
order expressly given or to a rule expressly framed for the purpose of securing the safety of workmen or the
willful removal or disregard by the workman of any safety guard or other device he knew to have been provided

M Shaheer Ali

Asstt. Prof., CES, Univ. Poly., AMU Page 8

 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (BCE-602) Unit-IV

M Shaheer Ali

Asstt. Prof., CES, Univ. Poly., AMU Page 9