Architects encourage safety practices and implementation

Construction of buildings is not only growing with large spans and greater heights but with tight time schedules. Mr. Dinesh Verma, Principal Architect & Managing Director, Ace Group Architects [P] Ltd., tells Built Expressions that Project planning and achieving balanced productivity is possible by optimum mechanisation which in turn needs stringent safety measures.

BE: What in your perspective as an Architect is, Construction Safety? And what elements of safety are included in contract documents?

DV: Tall, wide, deep or just normal, every construction has a hazard. The more complicated the building, the greater is the concern for safety. Our office acknowledges and respects the lives of all humans on construction sites and has built in "SAFETY PROCEDURES" which are followed by all contracting companies.

Creating contract documents is easy but what we emphasise is its practice and implementation.  All project sites have Safety Managers who are responsible for implementing the safety standards, whether it is helmets or belts, barriers or scaffolding, electrical or mechanical connections. We also emphasise on store keeping, labelling and issue of hazardous materials.

Regular cross checking of safety implementation is a part of the PMC’s weekly audit.

BE: How do you infuse and imbibe Environment-Health-Safety elements in a building at concept stage from constructability point of view?

DV: It is a difficult but not impossible to make workers follow safety guidelines, the safety officer plays an important role; he with the help of communicative billboards and instructions imbibes the value safety into the workers.  Also involving workers in discussions and explaining the safety hazards in a manner and language they understand goes a long way in attaining high safety standards.

A study by our office showed that workers do like to maintain cleanliness and at the end of each day they have a wash before leaving the construction site. Hence we constructed clean water facility near all exits. Also other facilities like Toilets, first aid rooms & rest areas are created for their benefit.

BE: How important is Activity Hazard Analysis in India?

DV: Analysis of any hazard, small or big - and the reason behind it, with the inputs of action taken is very important. A good data base thus gets formed and further accidents can be reduced. Indian contractors are becoming more conscious about such hazards.

BE: Do you see any relation between Construction Safety, Construction Mechanisation and Construction Productivity?

DV: Yes. The more we get mechanised, the more we need to be safety conscious. Most of the recent failures in construction have happened due to ill trained and unqualified people handling project equipments.

Today we are not only working with large spans and greater heights but with tight time schedules. Project planning and achieving balanced productivity is possible by optimum mechanisation which in turn needs stringent safety measures.

BE: How is the scenario of construction safety in India when compared with developed countries?

DV: Average Indian constructions companies are gearing up to safety measures in the present decade as the type of projects are getting complicated. Occupational and health ordinances passed in 1997 have helped clients and consultants make safety a part of daily life for every site construction worker.

But we still have a long way to go. Exercises and demonstrations on safety, occupational hazards are needed to increase awareness and reduce accidents. 

Mr. Dinesh Verma, Principal Architect & Managing Director, Ace Group Architects [P] Ltd