PANAJI: With an annual turnover of about Rs 4000 billion, the construction industry contributes 6 per cent towards the gross domestic product. But unfortunately construction sector also has the dubious distinction of maximum number of accidents next to the road accidents.
The average Fatal Accident Frequency Rate reported in Indian construction industries is 15.8 for 1000 employees as compared to 0.23 for construction industries in the US as per the data published by US Department of Labour. Construction hazards are rated as eight times more risky than those from manufacturing sector.
These and many other interesting details were churned out by speakers and participants who deliberated on ‘Construction Safety and Emergency Preparedness’ as part of three-day international conference on Fire, Safety and Security organised by New Delhi-based NGO Greentech Foundation here in city at Hotel Cidade de Goa.
Mr Mathur, senior manager of fire and safety at Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Guwahati Refinery (India) informed that 45 per cent fatalities occur due to human fall, 12 per cent by fall of objects, 10 per cent hit and run by vehicle, 9 per cent by electrocution and 3.5 per cent by collapse of structure or wall.
To avoid fatalities, a culture of safety including induction training at workplace, mock drills from time to time, periodic refresher courses including appointment of safety officer, one for every 1000 construction workers, is required.
Also, a two-day professional development training programme on safety organised by Greentech Foundation concluded on Sunday night here at Hotel Cidade de Goa. The training was conducted by Ms Paula Harvey from USA and Mr Lim Bocon Khoon from Singapore. Around forty participants including safety officers, officers of quality control, safety engineers and fire and safety officers attended. These participants were drawn from organisations across India like Assam Gas Company Ltd, Sail USV Ltd, HPCL, NTPC, GAIL, Rashtriya Chemical and Fertilizers Ltd, HPCL Marico Ltd, Thermax Ltd and ACC Ltd.
