Assessment of Safety and Health Practices in Road Construction

What is it about?

The construction sector contributes significantly to a country’s socioeconomic growth. It is significant because of the direct and indirect influence it has on all economic activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and health performance of site workers on various road construction projects in Pokhara metropolitan city and to examine whether the performance indexes were close to the International Labor Organization’s code of practices. The information gathered from the respondents was examined using the measure of central tendency and prioritized by importance. The results of the questionnaire survey showed that Pokhara metropolitan city’s construction projects were not found to meet the ILO’s health and safety standards, whereas few of the rules were effectively followed. Most employees have access to safe drinking and sanitary facilities, with some receiving extra perks. The survey found just seven distinct types of personal protective equipment (PPE), indicating that most workers overlook the use of PPE on the job. Consequently, in addition to quality and quantity, the monitoring office should put greater emphasis on construction site health and safety.

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Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash

Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The Nepalese construction industry is currently in the process of learning about safety. Each year, the industry witnesses thousands of fatalities and numerous injuries, underscoring the inadequacy of measures to minimize accidents on construction sites. Landslides stand out as one of the most prevalent causes of accidents on road construction sites. Additionally, workplace accidents can be attributed to an absence of controlled working environments and a deficient organizational work culture. In Nepal's construction sector, accidents primarily stem from a dearth of laws and regulations, negligence on the part of construction companies, government oversights, unskilled labor, and the profit-driven motives of firms. Various levels of government, including the Department of Road, Infrastructure Development, and Metropolitan Offices, oversee road construction projects in Nepal. These government entities engage in activities ranging from tendering to inspection. Despite regular inspections and oversight, there exists a fundamental deficiency in the understanding of safety during the construction phase.

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