Editorial
Safety at construction sites
Need to enforce building codes
Failure to provide construction workers at high-rise structures with necessary safety gears has again led to the death of some three workers from a 7-storey building at Basundhara city in the capital.
It was another instance of total disregard for human life by the employers of these workers who were trying to remove an old lift without any safety equipment to protect them from fall. It was as though death waiting for them.
The Safety and Rights Society, a non-governmentsal organisation (NGO) in a report said that in 2010 alone some 142 workers died at construction sites in the country. And looking at the number of deaths from fall from tall buildings at the Dhaka Medical College morgue, experts on the subject believe the total annual casualty figure might be still higher.
For ensuring safety at the construction sites, the government in 2006 framed the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC). But there was no step to enforce the code. The High Court (HC) on October, 2010 issued a rule on the government to establish Bangladesh National Building Code Enforcement Authority in order that the safety related rules are implemented. Strangely, a copy of that HC order is yet to reach the authorities concerned. So, without the enforcement tooth the BNBC has virtually remained on paper.
As a consequence, the employers or their supervisors find no urgency to provide the workers with the basic
precautionary measures like anchor belts, canopy or
protective scaffolding at the construction sites, especially at tall structures.
They are as risky as they were decades back. And what is of still greater concern is that the construction workers, who are mostly unaware of a lurking danger, commit fatal
mistakes. And after death or injury, the employers in most cases do not feel the need to help victim's family with any
compensation.
In the circumstances, we urge the government to first take immediate steps to enforce BNBC codes and form a construction safety monitoring body. These measures, it is hoped, would ensure safer working environment for
construction workers.
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