Safety of construction workers: The need for greater attention

Limasenla Jamir
Mokokchung | November 14

In 2007, while at work, Naren, an electrician by profession, fell from a twenty-foot-tall electric pole. Due to the fall, he had to endure extensive medical treatment and was bedridden for more than three months.

Naren vividly remembers the accident that happened when he was 22 years old. He climbed an electric pole to inspect a power line without wearing any protective gear, thinking the line was turned off. To his astonishment, the line was on, and he jolted upon touching it and fell flat on the ground. At 37 years now, he still fears climbing on to poles. Also, his weight no longer allows him to climb poles, he added lightheartedly.

Higher risks in hilly region 
Such accidents are not uncommon in the construction sector especially in the hilly state of Nagaland. The construction industry remains one of the most dangerous occupations and exhibits a high proportion of work-related injuries and even deaths. 

Noksang, a resident of Kumlong ward Mokokchung narrates an incident which happened while his house was under construction. A young boy, less than 20 years of age, who was working as a jugali fell from the second floor after he failed to maneuver through the small openings in between the wall and make shift bamboo ladder. He was fortunate enough to be caught by another man who was working below.

“I was shocked, my wife almost died after seeing the accident, but the workers were all laughing saying that they have worked in bigger and taller buildings and that a two storey building like our home was nothing for them,” he said.

Accounts of such similar incidents were also narrated by Pahin and Bemang, both working in the construction sector.

They both suffered major injuries due to accidents that happened while constructing houses in the hilly region of the town putting their lives in complete risk.

Komal, a renowned thikadar, has been working in Mokokchung since 2006. Construction works, according to him, is the most tasking and most dangerous job. “Many accidents occur while we are at work. They mostly happen because of carelessness, sometimes due to mistakes and very often than not, workers also fall from high places of work due to increase in pressure while at top due to fear,” he said. 

“We do our best to avoid accidents and use rope and bamboo ladders for our safety. To build houses in the hilly region is very dangerous and difficult. Apart from the risks involved, we also have to spend a lot of time carrying the raw materials and a day’s work sometimes takes up to a week,” he lamented.

Safety first but many ignorant  
Er Akumtemjen Jamir, Assistant Engineer, Transmission Division Mokokchung, Department of Power said that the nature of the work in the power department includes operating heavy structures, machines/equipment and working on high tension poles towers online/offline as part of operation and maintenance and so the risk of dangers and accidents are always on the higher side. 

He however mentioned that no major accidents have occurred till now while he was on duty and added that safety gears are always provided and worn while at work. 

“We provided helmet, gloves and goggles to the workers at one of our construction sites. The workers excitedly wore them on the first day and that was about it. They forget about them from the next day,” said Imliyanger, a contractor from Mokokchung. 

“Our people are not used to wearing safety gears while at work. They complain that they do not feel comfortable and that they can’t work with gloves on. This is a common story everywhere in Nagaland,” he maintained. 

“Safety measures at working sites is basically nil,” he added.

“The most important thing is that one should know the importance of safety first before engaging in the field. However, our construction workers and electricians in most cases ignore to wear safety gears either out of ignorance or not getting used to work with safety gears on,” Er Akumtemjen Jamir also stated.

“We cannot avoid accidents but can always prevent it from happening. There should be no compromise on the quality of the safety gears. We should ensure that workers are always protected with safety gears most importantly shoes and helmets and the surrounding area should be free from any possible dangers or threats. Machinery engaged at site should also be tested always in order to prevent any accidents during operation,” Jamir further stated.

Whose responsibility?
“I don’t think it is the sole responsibility of the owners for the safety of the workers rather it should be the main priority of the workers. They are so used to working without any safety gear or harness and they are comfortable working without any but everyone needs to understand that anything can happen to anyone no matter how experienced you are,” said Noksang, a resident of Kumlong ward.

The safety of construction workers remains a major concern for the workers in the state. Protecting oneself from injuries should be the primary responsibility of all construction workers including the construction companies and the employers.

There is an urgent need to prioritize worker safety. Except for one or two employers, the issues of site safety and construction worker welfare are not covered under an employer’s contract. Sadly, there are also no formal agreements between an employer and an employee, particularly when it comes to the construction of private homes.

Apart from the negligence of safety measures at site, the negligence of occupational health and safety is also another issue that is posing a large risk to people working in the quarrying sector, coal mines and road construction. Along with raising awareness of safety hazards, more attention must be given to ensure the health and safety of construction workers.

This is the fourth of a five-part series highlighting the experiences and challenges faced by the construction industry in Nagaland, as part of the Kohima Press Club and Nagaland Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Media Fellowship. 

Source: https://morungexpress.com/safety-of-construction-workers-the-need-for-greater-attention