When masons or paint workers put cement-sand mixture or colour coat on the outside wall of buildings dangling from ropes or makeshift bamboo scaffold, most people watch them with bated breath. The reason is simple: a false step or a slip will lead to the killing of those in action. This is however, no stunt extras resort to in place of heroes or heroines in films risking their lives.
Workplace safety is grossly compromised in this country. To put in place some safety measures, there is need for some equipment and that costs. So, many house owners, construction companies and others involved with housing do not bother to go for the extra expenses. What has baffled people here is that even the company responsible for construction of the Maghbazar-Mouchak flyover has been equally unmindful of the safety of people and workers alike.
The other day, an iron rod fell right on a worker below from the underconstruction flyover to kill the man. Not only rods but heavy equipment and machines are gathered on the floor of the flyover in order to add to its requirement. But unfortunately, no fencing is done all around to keep the area off-limit to people. In case a heavy machine or equipment falls, the toll of the tragedy can be very heavy.
A picture carried in a contemporary has pointed out in sharp contrast that in Chittagong, in a similar work iron fencing has been put in place in order to avoid such accidents. Maybe, the earlier accident involving flyover girder collapse has taught construction companies there a lesson. In Dhaka, even this accident costing the life of a poor worker will not really bring the company to its senses. Unless an accident of greater magnitude takes place, people will feel no need to sit up. It has always been the case so. Disaster has to strike first before people become aware of the need to go for safety measures. In certain cases, such as living on the foothills, repeated landslide tragedies have not taught people any lesson. Hill-cutting and illegal human settlements there go unabated.
The number of workers' death on account of lax safety measures is likely to be on the high side here. But because such workers are disorganised, no protest is usually heard. This is a time when lone voices sink in the din and bustle of city touts. The poor workers who are forced to take risk in order to earn a living cannot put forward their case. Should then their safety issue be left unattended forever?
At least those involved with house-building should not be indifferent to the safety of such workers' lives. There are some fundamental things to be taken care of in order to ensure their safety. For applying coat of paint, the workers need a leash strong enough to save them when the ropes somehow give in or they make a mistake. Such a protective gear can be made mandatory for these workers. As for the masons, though, the box crane used for applying a layer of sand and cement is costly. But when construction companies procure one, its costs spread over and ultimately prove smaller than the bamboo steps built for each building.
Admittedly, such machines and equipment were unthinkable in the past. Indigenous devices were the only technology available. Now, the perception has changed. People are going for high-rise buildings and have enough money too. There is no scope for compromising on their safety measures in order to protect workers' lives. It should not be forgotten that the death of such a worker spells disaster for a family.
Outrageous indifference to workers\' safety
Nilratan Halder | Published: March 26, 2016 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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