Hyderabad: Failure of the builders and contractors in taking safety measures for their workforce at construction sites is resulting in the deaths of the several workers every month.
On an average, there are two to three cases which are reported in the city pertaining to falling from high rises while taking the risky job of repairing air conditioners, painting the building, affixing glass, doing masonry work etc. An equal number of people die after slipping down from electricity poles too.
As per the rules, the contractors have to ensure that the workers wear safety gear while taking up risky works. The safety gear includes helmets and gloves for protection in case they fall. The contractors have to spread a safety net mesh in the lower sections.
Ahmad Nadeem, Commissioner of Labor Department Telangana, said, “We have already begun the process of detecting the unregistered sites of construction and it will take some more time to consolidate the data. Once things are clear we shall take the desired action against those people who have been running their business of construction in an illegal way."
When contacted for a legal opinion Madhav Reddy, Senior High court advocate and also a member of Bar Council Association of Vikarabad said, "People who do not follow any kind of guidelines for ensuring safety for their workers who are working on their construction site can be booked under Building and other construction workers (Regulation of employment and conditions of service) act 1996 and section 304 (A) which pertains to causing death by negligence. Punishment under this section can be up to three years in jail and with a fine amount or both".
He added, “In many rural areas builders who do not provide safety equipment to the workers, try to cover up the case by giving compensation to the victim's family so that their loopholes are not highlighted anywhere.”
