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Water Engineering and Development Centre
Author(s): Larcher, Paul | Sohail, M.
Publisher: LSHTM | WEDCSeries: WELL Studies in Water, Sanitation and Environmental Health Task 166/1
Collection(s): WELL
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Water and sanitation projects are frequently justified on the basis of their contribution to health. Those familiar with the sector know that the necessary facilities (e.g. treatment works, storage tanks, pumping stations and sewers) all involve significant occupational risks for those building and operating these facilities. Construction and operation in developing countries is particularly dangerous, and a cursory inspection of any job site will reveal many health and safety hazards.
The majority of the health and safety guidance from the international organisations such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) assumes the existence of powerful regulatory authorities, and therefore stresses an administrative approach to the problem. While these techniques have worked well in industrialised countries, they are inappropriate where regulation is weak or non-existent. This advice is based on a literature review on safety for construction and operation of infrastructure, water and sanitation facilities for developing countries. It provides a background to the safety principles associated with construction projects and outlines a framework of basic safety principles to be considered in managing construction and operation of such facilities.
This brief summary note is aimed at policy makers and practitioners in the sector.
The key points to emerge from the discussion include:
The construction industry is one of the most hazardous industries. Wherever reliable records are available, construction is found to be one of the worst and often the worst on health and safety criteria. The impacts of these hazards generally spill over to the family, community and society around the worker, with the severest effect being felt by the poorest.
A large proportion of both injuries and fatalities are caused by similar accidents, with the highest risk injuries being due to a fall or falling objects. Other injuries are caused by workers exposure to harsh working conditions and hazardous materials.
Two major differences between approaches to health and safety in developed countries and developing counties are the existence of legislation and hazard awareness in the latter. There are over 100 acts and regulations that affect the construction industry, enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. Hazard awareness is promoted by nominated safety officers who advise on safety issues and provide safety training, and by the support of the Health and Safety Commission. In developing countries, regulatory authority is very weak where safety legislation exists at all. Real hazards are either not perceived or are perceived to be less dangerous than they actually are.
An integrated approach to safety would involve the contractor, the client and the legal framework, which may be unrealistic in many developing countries with no health and safety legislation. This approach also has implications for the donors or financiers of projects as safety costs money.
DFID's role in health and safety interventions will vary, but some of the long term targets might include: promoting safety education and training; advocating simple legislation; including an acceptable safety record as one of the tendering criteria; implementing safety inspections; restricting working hours and ensuring a taskwork payment system; promoting quality handtools; and including the costs of safety in the project overheads.
Keywords:
Construction | Safety
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