The document discusses improving health and safety in the Bangladeshi construction industry. It outlines several key issues: construction accidents are common in Bangladesh due to lax safety regulations and enforcement; existing health and safety laws are not well implemented; and improving safety practices could reduce accidents and benefit contractors through lower costs. The document then provides definitions of safety terms and describes various hazards, accidents, protective equipment, and permit systems that could be implemented on construction sites to enhance worker well-being.

1. Construction Safety & Health situation
Prepared By
Engr. Ali Kamal Mostofa Rubel (Electrical)
MPH in Occupational Health & Safety
alikamalmostofa@gmail.com
+880 1682560119
+880 1911522533
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2. Objectives
 Safety Condition in Bangladesh
 Construction Accidents in Bangladesh
 Existing Health & Safety legislations in practice
 Definition of Safety, accident, Hazard, & Risk
 Type of Hazards
 Types of accident
 Type of PPEs
 PTW
 Reasons and benefits to improve health and safety in
construction
 How to improve health and safety on construction sites?
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3. Safety Condition in Bangladesh
The construction industry is considered as one of the most
hazardous industrial sectors wherein the construction
workers are more prone to accidents.
In developed countries such as united kingdom and united
states of America, there is strict legal enforcement of safety in
construction industry and also in the implementation
industry and also in the implementation of safety
management systems which are designed to minimize or
eliminate accidents at work places. However, occupational
safety in construction industry is very poor in developing
countries such as Bangladesh.
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4. Construction Accidents in Bangladesh
Year Total
Death
Construction
Sector
Transp
ort
Sector
Transpo
rt
Sector
Garme
nts
Sector
Agricult
ure
Sector
Ship
Breakin
g Yard
Daily
Laborer
s
Fisherm
an
Others
2017 1242 179 448 52 99 28 22 103 28 221
2016 1240 147 486 88 87 23 34 69 44 200
According to OSHE (BD) report, there were a total of 1509 deaths in the
construction industry from 2008 to 2017- on average 150 deaths a year-
with 2017’s 179 is the highest number of deaths during the period.
“OSHE find out two most common reasons behind these deaths are falling
from a height and electrocution. “
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5. Existing Health & Safety legislations in practice
Bangladesh Labour Act 2006
Bangladesh Labour Rule 2015
The constitution of Bangladesh adopted on 4th November 1972 recognizes productivity
as a basic need for economic development and covers the right to work and reasonable
wages, medical care and protection from disease and disablement. Thus it is assumed the
health and safety of industrial workers has been taken care of.
 Sections: There are 354 sections in 21 different chapters in the legal text.
 OSH: Special importance has been given on occupational health and safety and the
work environment. Out of the 354 clauses of the labour law, 78 happen to be about
the environment.
 Records: Maintenance and preservation of safety record books and introduction of
group insurances for the workers have been ensured
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6. Existing health & safety legislations in practice Cont..
 SAFETY
 Fire
Section 62 deals with the provisions for measures to be taken by a factory to avoid
dangers and damage due to fire.
 Floors, stairs and means of access
Section 72 of the new labour law deals with the floors, stairs and means of access.
 Excessive Weights
Section 74 of the new labour code states that, no person shall be employed in any
factory to lift, carry or move any load as heavy as to be likely to cause him injury.
HEALTH AND HYGIENE
 Cleanliness : Section 51
 Drinking water: Section 58
 Overcrowding: Section 56
 Lighting : Section 57
 Latrines and urinals : Section 59
 Dust bins and spittoons : Section 60
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7. OHSAS 18000 (ISO:45001)
 OHSAS 18000 is an international occupational health and safety management system specification. It comprises
two parts, 18001 and18002
 It helps: minimize risk to employees/etc; improve an existing OH&S management system; demonstrate diligence;
gain assurance; etc
 The OHSAS specification is applicable to any organization that wishes to: Establish an OH&S management
system to eliminate or minimize risk to employees and other interested parties who may be exposed to OH&S
risks associated with its activities
 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
 FALL PROTECTION
 ELECTRICAL
 SCAFFOLDS: Each suspension rope, including connecting hardware, used on adjustable suspension, Each
platform shall be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrails at the rear of the scaffold.
 MOTOR VEHICLES AND MECHANIZED
 EQUIPMENT
 HAND AND POWER TOOLS
 FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION
 SANITATION
 CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS ENERGY
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8. OHSAS 18000 (ISO:45001) Cont…
 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
 WELDING AND CUTTING
 FLOOR AND WALL OPENINGS
 EXCAVATIONS
 STAIRWAYS AND LADDERS
 MATERIALS HANDLING, STORAGE, USE, AND DISPOSAL
 SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND BARRICADES
 CRANES, DERRICKS, AND HOISTS
 DEMOLITION
 ILLUMINATION
 HOUSEKEEPING
 DIVING SAFETY
 CONTAINMENT
 CONTROL/PERMIT SYSTEMS
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9. Definitions
 Safety is free from risk and danger.
 Accidents is defined as an unexpected and desirable
event resulting in damage or harm.
 Hazards is an unsafe condition or activity, that if left
uncontrolled can contribute to an accident.
 Risk is the assessment of ’probability of loss’ and
potential amount of loss’.
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10. Types of hazards
Chemical
Physical
Biological
Ergonomic
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11. Chemical Hazards
 Chemicals can exist in the form of
• Dusts, Fumes, Fibers (solids)
• Liquids, Mists
• Gases, Vapors
Examples of
chemical
hazards
found in
construction
work:
• Asbestos
• Lead
• Silica
• Cadmium
• Carbon monoxide
• Welding fumes
• Spray paints
• Cutting oil
mists
• Xylene vapor
• Solvents
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12. Physical Hazards
Physical hazards are different types of energy which may
be hazardous to workers.
• Noise
• Vibration
• Temperature extremes
• Radiation
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13. Types of accident
Death
Fatal injury (broken leg, hips, amputation)
Non-fatal injury (finger cut)
Occupational accidents (MSD, hearing loss)
Absence from work ( >1 day, > 3 days etc)
Near misses
Rate per 100 000 – number of injuries or causes of
ill health per 100 000 employees.
Working days lost – days off work due to
workplace injuries & work-related ill health
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14. Personal protective equipment (PPE)
 What is PPE?
 PPE is the device designed to protect worker from
serious injuries and illness resulting from the
workplace hazard.
 It is only the tool to prevent injury from the
hazards, as it does not eliminate or remove the
hazard.
 Basic types of PPE are Work Suit, Hard Hat, Safety
Glasses, Safety Shoes.
Cause:
 All employees must be provided with appropriate
personal protective equipment (PPE)
 To prevent injuries and illnesses, supervisors
/foremen must implement and enforce the use of
personal protective equipment on all company
construction projects
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15. Personal protective equipment (PPE) Cont…
Select the proper type of PPE to fit the jobs requirement.
 Head Protection
 Eye and face protection
-Safety spectacles.
-Goggles.
-Welding shields.
-Laser safety
-goggles.
-Face shields
 Foot Protection
 Hearing Protection
 Dust Protection
 Hand Protection
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16. Personal protective equipment (PPE) Cont…
 Foot Protection
 Hearing Protection
 Dust Protection
 Hand Protection
 FALL PROTECTION
- Personal Fall Arrest System
- Guardrail Systems
- Safety Nets
Personal Fall Arrest System
-The three main parts
 the body belt or harness
 the lanyard/lifeline, and
 a suitable anchorage.
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17. Costs of accidents – direct costs and indirect costs
Direct costs
The direct costs are insurance. These
include medical costs and others
workers’ compensation insurance
benefits as well as liability and
property-damage insurance.
Indirect costs
Below are the lists of indirect costs:
Transportation costs – include the cost of
emergency transportation, together
with the cost of other personnel that
were necessary to get to the injured
worker to proper medical facilities
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18. Permit To Work (PTW)
 Objective:
The objective of the Safe Work Permit system is to identify hazards associated with a non
routine job, and to develop precautions required to control each hazard identified.
A Safe Work Permit (SWP) is a WRITTEN document which SPECIFICALLY DEFINES THE
WORK to be done AND the SPECIFIC PRECAUTIONS to be taken.
Safe Work Permit Permit #
Type: (hot work, confined space, line break, etc.... location:
Valid __/___/___ ____ __/___/___ ____ Issued to:
From: M D Y time to M D Y time
Work Description: ________________________________
____________________________________________ Supervisor’s Signature Print name
____________________________________________
____________________________________________ Work Order No.
Permits are issued:
- For a specific date and time range,
- For a specific job,
- and to specific individuals.
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19. Permit To Work (PTW) Cont…
Safe Work Permit
-------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Precautions Always required:
o Emergency procedures review by:
o Emergency equipment & location review by:
o Area inherent hazards review by:
o Material Safety Data Sheet(s) review by:
Safe Work Permit
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Special Precautions Required:
o Buddy System o Sprinklers in Service
o Cleaning of _________ o Purging of ________
o Remove materials from ___________________
o Piping o Drain o Disconnect o Blank off / Capped
o Clean o Ventilate
o Remove combustibles from other side of wall.
o Floor Swept Clean of Combustibles
o Clean area within 35 feet. o Wet down floor.
o Adjacent areas: __________________________
o Cover floor with: __________________________
o Non-combustible Tarpaulins or Metal Shields Over:
o Electrical Switches or Valves off, locked-out, and Tagged:
o Electrical Grounding of: ________________________
o Atmosphere monitored during work for: ____________
periodically: __________ continuously: __________
o Safety Monitor(s) present from _________ to _________
o Fire Watch Present during work and for 30 minutes
after...
o Respirator to be worn____ or be readily available ___
Safe Work Permit
------------------------------------------------
--------------Safety Equipment
Required
O Safety Glasses
O Hard Hat
O Face Shield
O Safety Shoes
O Fire Extinguishers - Type ___ #___ Size ___
O Fire Hose
O Supplementary Illumination
O Warning Signs
O Barricades
O Non-sparking Tools
O Explosion Proof Equipment
O Safety Harness
O Life Line
O Tripod Emergency Escape Unit
O 2-way Radio Or Phone
O Respirators
O Impervious Gloves
O Protective Clothing _____________________
O Mechanical Ventilation
O Shower & Eyewash
O Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
O Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
O Ladder / Lift / Scaffold
O Other________________________________
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20. Permit To Work (PTW) Cont…
 Deep Excavation PTW
Many companies are making excavation work and entry into trenches over 4’
(Feet) deep a safe work permitting task
 Working at Heights PTW
Many companies are making “working at heights” a safe work permitting task due
to the complexity of PFAS(s)
 Lifting PTW
Many companies are making work involving cranes and aerial lifts a safe work
permitting task. Not only do these tasks come with increased risk to the
operators, but also infrastructure (e.g. live covered processes)
 Electrical PTW
Many companies are using LOTO Permits as an additional administrative controls
for the controlling of hazardous energy sources during servicing and
maintenance.
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21. Permit Validity
Permit is valid for:
 A specific activity, site, within a specific period of time.
 Only issued for a maximum of 5 consecutive calendar days.
 Applied for in advance of the work – ideally 10 working days
 Issued immediately prior to the start of the permit able work
 Renewed via the Work Clearance Form each day by Permit Holder
 Expires after 5 days regardless of the activity
Self Permits
 NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO ISSUE A PERMIT TO THEMSELVES
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22. Reasons and benefits to improve health and safety in
construction
 Responsibility;
 Economic reasons;
 Impact of safety on overall performance;
 Contractor’s performance;
 Control of accident causes.
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23. Responsibility
 Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
 It is a moral and legal obligation of employers to provide a
safe working place and of employees to work safely.
 Employer’s duty of care to employees as covering the
following areas:
safe system of work;
a safe place of work;
plant and machinery that is safe to use;
competent supervision and/or suitable training; and
care in the selection of fellow employees.
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24. How To Improve Health And Safety On Construction Sites?
 Reactive measures
Accident recording & reporting
Accident investigations
 Proactive measures
Health & Safety policy
Health & Safety programme/plan
Health & Safety induction/training
Tool-box talk
Others
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