This refers to the report “Small construction companies flout safety rules” (Feb. 28). A human life is very precious and safety must be given top priority at workplaces. Every company should have construction safety manual in order to prevent injury, loss of life and damage to assets.

This manual provides safety criteria for all construction works performed by the companies and the contractors. As per rules, workers should be given fall protection equipment, safety shoes, helmets, bio-monitoring etc. The construction industry functions in a dynamically changing work environment in which updating of equipment and standards is a continuous process resulting from changes in operating variables, regulatory requirements and safety practices.

To avoid mishaps at workplaces, all employees should be given training to develop skills that are required to perform, supervise and manage assigned tasks without any negligence and to cope with any untoward situation. In addition to that employees must be assigned tasks that are consistent with their physical capability and job skills; this will enable employees to work without endangering themselves or others.

Site specific effective emergency response plans must be designed as per the safety guidelines to provide additional safety to the employees working at the sites. These should include measures to deal with an emergency or disaster when an accident occurs; to minimize the loss of resources; a reporting and investigation system to determine the cause of the accident and the adoption of corrective actions to avoid a recurrence. Last but not the least all the negligent firms should be penalized.

Anees Lokhande

Alkhobar