TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING
PULCHOWK CAMPUS
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SELF-STUDY PAPER on
COMPARING SAFETY AWARENESS OF CONSTRUCTION
WORKERS IN NEPAL WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICES
SUBMITTED TO:
Dr. RAJENDRA PRASAD ADHIKARI
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SUBMITTED BY:
ANKIT KHANAL (079MSCOM003)
ASHESH GHIMIRE (079MSCOM005)
BAIKUNTH YADAV (079MSCOM007)
APRIL 2024
TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING
PULCHOWK CAMPUS
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SELF-STUDY PAPER on
COMPARING SAFETY AWARENESS OF CONSTRUCTION
WORKERS IN NEPAL WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICES
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE INTERNAL
ASSESSMENT OF CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
SUBMITTED TO:
Dr. RAJENDRA PRASAD ADHIKARI
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SUBMITTED BY:
ANKIT KHANAL (079MSCOM003)
ASHESH GHIMIRE (079MSCOM005)
BAIKUNTH YADAV (079MSCOM007)
APRIL 2024
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who played a pivotal role in bringing this
report to fruition. Their unwavering guidance, invaluable support, and significant contributions
have been integral to the success of this study paper.
We are profoundly appreciative of our esteemed professor, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Adhikari, for his
consistent guidance, insightful teachings, and unwavering assistance. This report owes its accuracy
and feasibility to his unwavering support and continuous involvement in all aspects of the work.
His expert guidance paved the way for the appealing completion of this report.
i
ABSTRACT
The construction sector, although widely acknowledged for its noteworthy role in fostering
worldwide economic expansion, is also well-known for its elevated incidence of mishaps and
fatalities. In order to compare Nepalese construction workers' safety awareness to international
standards, this study will examine prospective improvement measures as well as important
elements impacting safety awareness. This research investigates the organizational, cultural, and
regulatory factors influencing safety practices in Nepal's construction industry by a thorough
analysis of the literature, surveys, and interviews with professionals in the field. The study offers
insights into the gaps and potential for improving safety awareness and reducing hazards in Nepal's
construction industry by contrasting these findings with accepted international safety standards
and practices.
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1
2. BACKGROUND..................................................................................................................... 1
3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY ............................................................................................ 5
4. METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................. 6
5. LIMITATIONS ....................................................................................................................... 6
6. RESULTS AND OUTCOMES ............................................................................................... 7
6.1. Safety Awareness Status in Nepal ........................................................................................ 7
6.2. Status of Safety Awareness in International Level ............................................................ 11
6.3. Room for Improvement in Safety Awareness for Nepal .................................................... 14
6.4. Strategies to Enhance Safety Awareness ........................................................................... 15
7. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................... 17
8. REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................... 18
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1. INTRODUCTION
Nepal's economy depends heavily on the construction sector, which is a key generator of
employment and economic growth. The sector makes a substantial contribution to the GDP of the
country and is characterized by a wide range of projects, such as residential structures, commercial
complexes, infrastructure development, and hydropower projects. Urbanization, population
expansion, and government investments in infrastructure development have propelled Nepal's
construction industry's steady rise in recent years, despite obstacles such inadequate infrastructure,
geological weaknesses, and regulatory difficulties. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)
and a few large construction firms make up the majority of the industry, which employs a
significant number of the labor population in the nation, especially in rural areas where agriculture
is still the main source of income. However, the industry also faces problems that are detrimental
to its long-term viability and the welfare of its workers, including as low safety standards, restricted
access to contemporary technology and equipment, and a shortage of experienced labor.
Notwithstanding these obstacles, Nepal's construction sector is still growing thanks to continuous
initiatives to close the nation's infrastructure gaps, advance sustainable development, and raise the
caliber and safety standards of construction projects all throughout the nation.
First and foremost, because of their heavy machinery, elevated work platforms, unstable materials,
and intricate processes, construction sites are by nature dangerous places. Due to the nature of the
work, employees are exposed to a number of risks, including the possibility of falls, electrocution,
crushing injuries, exposure to hazardous materials, and structural failures. To reduce mishaps,
injuries, and fatalities among construction workers, it is crucial to promote safety knowledge.
Additionally, raising worker understanding of safety issues benefits their general health and wellbeing. Construction labor frequently entails physically taxing duties carried out in difficult
environments, which puts weariness, tension, and strain on the body. Businesses can lower the risk
of occupational illnesses and long-term health issues among employees by putting safety
procedures and practices in place. This will also make the workplace safer and healthier for
everyone.
Finally, in a globalized world, international cooperation and competitiveness in the construction
sector are becoming more and more dependent on adherence to safety norms and practices. Strict
adherence to safety requirements is mandated by numerous development agencies and
international organizations during the procurement process. Thus, building companies in Nepal
may enter new markets, draw in foreign investment, and take part in international projects by
embracing safety awareness, all of which will contribute to the economic development and
expansion of the nation.
2. BACKGROUND
Safety and health in construction is a condition in which an employee needs a safe and healthy
environment for herself and other people that be affected by its activities. The factor affecting
safety on construction site includes poor safety awareness of top management, lack of training,
poor safety awareness of project managers and reluctance to input resources to safety and reckless
operations. There are three elements to behaving safely; the knowledge, equipment on works,
motivation (psychology) on how to operate safely. These elements must be carried out, cooperate
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and attention to the workers as well as the management to enhance safety during the working on
site.
Occupational health and safety aim to assess, evaluate, and minimize the health risks and hazards
encountered at work. It tends to improve and maintain the physical, social, mental, and emotional
health and well-being of an employee in an entire job. It is a cross-disciplinary area concerned
with fostering the health and welfare of workers at the worksite. Occupational Injuries have
become a major public health issue in developing countries like Nepal. The risk of occupational
injury and accident is prominent in the construction industry as compared with other sectors. Data
shows that 9% of all occupational death and 18% of all occupational injuries arises from
construction sites. [1] Similarly, workers’ low level of awareness and knowledge of health and
safety leads to an increase in accidents and death at worksites. Literatures on “Occupational Health
and Safety in Nepal” revealed that Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a neglected area. The
concerned ministry has not taken this matter as a key issue. Very few policies and activities related
to Occupational health and safety are implemented. The working environment is not safe for the
workers. The employer focuses on the profit rather than the health and safety of the workers. The
contractor and the worker focuses on the completion of the job and earning money. No one is
concerned about the health and safety of the workers. These work-related accidents can be
prevented by the use of safety measures such as PPE. Personal protective equipment is the
equipment used by the workers in the working environment to safeguard them from occupational
hazards and risks. Personal protective equipment includes safety helmets, safety goggles, visible
dress, cut-resistant gloves, hearing protectors, masks, leg boots, safety harness, and so on. PPE
utilization is a crucial part of Occupational health and safety practices which protects the health of
the workers. However, the use of PPE is given less importance in many developing countries. No
use of PPE leads to exposure to different sorts of hazards which eventually results in adverse health
conditions for workers.
With the awareness of safety, employees are more inclined to report accidents and injuries if they
report unfavorable living and working conditions. The event of workplace accidents is
consequently closely linked to opinions about their workspace and working conditions. The
likelihood of workplace accidents among migrant workers in the construction industry in Qatar
and Saudi Arabia is three times higher than that of workers in Malaysian factories. Therefore, it is
stated that the government of Nepal should make sure that migrants, especially those who work
for corporations in the Middle East, are granted mandatory health insurance by those companies
in order to lower the health risks of workers in host countries. It is also highly advised that
mandatory pre-departure health and safety training be followed by refresher courses upon arrival.
[2]
The critical need to improve safety knowledge and practices in the sector is highlighted by global
statistics on construction accidents and fatalities. The construction industry is a major contributor
to workplace accidents and fatalities, routinely ranking among the world's most dangerous
industries, according to data from the International Labour Organization (ILO). For example, the
ILO estimates that every year, accidents related to construction cause around 60,000 fatalities,
accounting for a large share of total occupational fatalities worldwide. In addition, studies carried
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out by agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) show that workers in the construction industry are more likely than
those in other industries to sustain occupational injuries and fatalities.
The figures show the terrible human cost of insufficient safety precautions and highlight the urgent
need for coordinated initiatives to raise safety standards and practices throughout the world's
construction sector. These concerning statistics are a sad reminder of how important it is to put
safety awareness first and make investments in efficient preventive measures in order to safeguard
the lives and wellbeing of construction workers everywhere. Global best practices recommend
careful detection and assessment of all possible risks at building sites, from environmental
concerns like exposure to toxic materials to physical risks like electrical shocks and falls.
Construction organizations can efficiently manage risks by implementing control measures and
safeguards through the adoption of a proactive approach.
International building safety regulations also rely heavily on safety education and training
programs. These courses are designed to give employees the information, abilities, and
consciousness they need to recognize risks, put on safety gear, and follow procedures. A wide
range of subjects are covered in training modules, such as working at heights, handling hazardous
materials, operating machinery properly, and emergency response protocols, among others.
International standards promote the use of best practices and new technology to improve
construction site safety. This covers developments in risk reduction and efficiency-enhancing
engineering methods, equipment design, and building materials. For instance, prefabricated parts,
automated equipment, and digital solutions for safety management and monitoring are becoming
more and more common in the sector.
Importance of Safety Awareness to Construction Workers
Safety awareness for workers in construction is of paramount importance due to several
compelling reasons:
a. Prevention of Injuries and Fatalities: Construction sites are inherently hazardous environments
with numerous risks such as falls from heights, electrical hazards, and being struck by heavy
equipment or materials. Safety awareness ensures that workers are cognizant of these risks and
take appropriate precautions to prevent accidents, thereby reducing the likelihood of injuries
and fatalities.
b. Protection of Workers' Health: Construction activities often involve exposure to various
physical and chemical hazards, including dust, noise, and toxic substances. Safety awareness
enables workers to recognize these hazards and utilize personal protective equipment (PPE)
effectively to minimize exposure and safeguard their health.
c. Promotion of Productivity and Efficiency: Accidents and injuries not only result in human
suffering but also lead to project delays, increased costs, and loss of productivity. By
prioritizing safety awareness, construction workers can focus on their tasks without the
distraction of potential hazards, leading to greater efficiency and project success.
d. Compliance with Regulations: Regulatory bodies such as the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) enforce safety standards and regulations to protect workers in the
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construction industry. Safety awareness ensures that workers understand and comply with
these regulations, reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties and legal liabilities for
construction companies.
e. Creation of a Positive Safety Culture: Fostering a culture of safety where workers prioritize
their own safety and that of their colleagues contributes to a positive work environment. Safetyconscious workers are more likely to communicate safety concerns, participate in safety
initiatives, and actively contribute to the improvement of safety practices on construction sites.
f. Enhancement of Reputation and Stakeholder Confidence: Construction companies that
prioritize safety awareness demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their workforce
and stakeholders. A strong safety record enhances the company's reputation, builds trust with
clients, and attracts skilled workers who value a safe working environment.
g. Long-term Cost Savings: Investing in safety awareness programs may require initial resources
and effort, but the long-term benefits outweigh the costs. By preventing accidents and injuries,
construction companies can avoid medical expenses, worker compensation claims, and
potential litigation, resulting in significant cost savings over time.
By prioritizing safety, construction companies can create safer work environments where workers
can thrive and projects can succeed.
Construction Diseases and Accidents
Occupational disease and accidents is hazardous to the workers in the construction sites. The
occupational health disease in the construction sites can be divided into six types [2]:
a. Construction Material-related diseases: Some construction materials are hazardous for
health, for example asbestos related disease that may lead to death to workers. The danger is
due to when asbestos fibers become airborne and remain suspended in the air. Breathing of
these fibers may badly affect the lungs and causes cancer. Similarly, Silica is another particle,
it is due to, when construction materials containing silica, such as bricks, concrete, granite or
tiles are cut, drilled, crushed. This crystalline silica can be breathed in and may reach the deep
lungs of the workers. This can cause difficulties in breathing problems for the workers.
b. Noise-induced hearing loss: High noise at construction site can lead to tinnitus and hearing
loss of the workers. It is due to the sounds of machines, sounds from construction plant etc
may badly affect the hearing problem.
c. Hand-arm vibration syndrome: When workers used hand held power tools are regularly used
in construction site, the vibration of these tools can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome
(HAVS). It is due to the vibration of drilling machine, vibration due to hammering, vibration
due to cutting of materials etc. This type of vibration may affect fingers, hands and arms and
can cause permanent damage over time.
d. Musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs): This cause injuries, damage or disorder of the joints or
other tissues in the upper or lower limbs or back. Issues can be caused by regularly lifting,
4
carrying or handling materials like unloading the cement and sand sacks or carrying the stone
in the construction site.
e. Psychological stress: Mental relaxation of workers is predominant for completing the work
efficiently. So workers need leisure time for relaxing and for entertainment purposes. Due to
the long duration continuous work they are mentally tired, so it will affect their work too.
f. Accidents: At Construction sites normally, the following types of accidents may occur at
construction sites.
 Slips or falls from height: Slips or falling from height is the major accident happening in
the construction site. This hazard is happening mainly at the time of concreting or
shuttering at heights. In the case of late time work adequate and good lightning must be
provided. Owing to bad workmanship that is due to bad positioning of scaffolding,
shuttering may fail it may cause accidents.
 Caught in Machineries and Trenches: It is predominant that everyone who works at
construction sites be aware of these types of risks, and knows how to react it. Caught-in
and caught-between dangers are one of the major construction site hazards along with fall,
electrical. Some accidents are as follows:
• Machinery with rotating or other moving parts that are unprotected and not properly
powered down at the time of maintenance; this may result in body parts or clothing getting
caught in the machine
• Unprotected trenches and excavations resulting in burial or drowning, as well as
underground caves getting caught beneath collapsing scaffolding is a similar hazard in this
category
• Getting crushed between a wall or the ground and a piece of material or equipment,
shoring and construction materials, large items being stacked, etc.
 Fire and Explosion: Due to the many inflammable chemicals, pressurized containers and
heat-powered tools, such as soldering irons, construction site fires and explosions are very
common and very dangerous. Each of these injuries due to fire and explosion needs
immediate medical attention.
 Accidents by Vehicles: Every year in the construction industry, people are killed or injured
as a result of being struck by moving vehicles. Accidents may occur from the ground work
to the finishing work of structures. Managers, workers, site visitors and the public can all
be at risk if construction vehicle activities are not properly managed and controlled.
3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This study aims to identify important elements impacting safety awareness and investigate viable
solutions for development by conducting a thorough comparative analysis of safety awareness
among construction workers in Nepal with international norms. The following goals are the focus
of the study:
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 Evaluation of Current Safety Practices: Assess the safety procedures, rules, and enforcement
systems that are currently in place in Nepal's construction sector, paying particular attention to
how well they work to raise public awareness of safety issues and lower the number of
incidents and fatalities.
 Determine the Crucial Elements: Examine the cultural, legal, institutional, and financial
elements that impact safety consciousness among building laborers in Nepal, contrasting them
with global settings.
 Comparison with International Practices: Compare and contrast the construction industry's
best practices, established international safety standards, and legislation to identify areas for
improvement and to identify commonalities and contrasts.
 Exploration of Best Practices: Examine successful safety initiatives and interventions
implemented in other countries to enhance safety awareness among construction workers, with
a focus on their applicability and adaptability to the Nepalese context.
4. METHODOLOGY
For this case study, literature review of the academic research, news articles, reports and case
studies pertaining to construction safety, worker awareness, occupational hazards, safety trainings
and safety culture was conducted. Historical data and reports were meticulously analyzed to
ascertain patterns, contradictions, and emerging insights related to safety awareness for
construction workers within and outside the country. The examination aimed to elucidate how
much Nepal is lagging in terms of awareness and practices and what strategies can be adopted to
improve and enhance safety awareness and practices among workers.
5. LIMITATIONS
The study has been conducted as the basis of personal observation and review of related literature.
Major limitations of this study were the constraints of resources, access and time.
a. Resources: Despite the presence of numerous news articles, interviews, and case studies, the
majority of these sources provided only a surface-level understanding. As a result, the study had
to rely solely on such information. Comprehensive details regarding the practices, strategies and
knowledge and training programs, remained inaccessible through these channels.
b. Access: The entirety of the details and information acquired originated from secondary sources,
specifically previously published articles and case studies. The credibility of these sources hinges
entirely upon the knowledge and insights gathered by their respective authors.
c. Time: Due to the constraints of a tight timeline for the study, only readily accessible resources
could be collected for the research.
d. Outdated information: Since the data and reports are of secondary sources, they date back to
few years. The latest reference could not be obtained readily which may affect the outcome and
may not portray true conditions.
6
The other limitations were the lack the contextual information necessary to fully understand the
findings or conclusions presented, biases which can lead to the omission of relevant information
or the presentation of skewed viewpoints and presence of conflicting information or interpretations
of the same topic.
6. RESULTS AND OUTCOMES
Nepal is a developing country. The development is being contributed by urbanization to large
extent. Urbanization is leading to construction of buildings and all other infrastructures to feed the
population of urban areas (water demand, electricity demand). The rate of construction of
infrastructures is increasing. In Nepal most of the projects are labor intensive. The construction
industry involves large skilled and unskilled personnel. Nepal is young in practicing construction
and lacks experience. Any construction project has risk of accidents as they are inevitable. From
this study, we have drawn following outcomes in the sector of safety awareness of workers in
construction activities.
6.1. Safety Awareness Status in Nepal
We have reviewed three studies made in different parts of Nepal to draw the status of safety
awareness of workers in construction activities in Nepal. The studies were majorly based on
observations and questionnaires.
The first study was made around the sites of Kathmandu valley. During the study, following
findings were obtained.
a. Bhatbhateni excavation: It was observed that no any fatality happened at site. However, the
safety practice in the site was not satisfactory. The supply of the safety equipments to the workers
seemed to be very minimum. The workers were busy with their work without the safety
equipments. [3]
b. Tunnel Site, Sundarijal: Overall safety measures were found to be satisfactory. There were no
reports of any accident. Drilling process adopted was manual. Cotton cloth, Cotton mask and
gumboot are used inside the tunnel. Instead of providing ear plugs, only cotton was provided. Air
filter was not available at site. [3]
c. Civil Homes, Sunakothi: More superior safety measures were adopted at this site. During the
excavation, shoring was done properly. Safety equipments such as boots, helmet, safety belt,
goggles, gloves, mask etc. were used. During the construction, safety net was not used at site. Pipe
scaffolding was used of superior quality there. But, there was no safety supervisor appointed to
make safety precautions and practices at site. No any fatal accident was registered during the
construction. Adding to the safety measures and Personal protective equipments, there was
provision of worker’s insurance also. Fire-fighting measures were also at place. Talking to the
workers, it was also evident that there was vast lack of awareness among the workers at site. [3]
d. other sites: In most of the sites, even though the safety equipments were provided to the
`workers, safety equipments weren’t used properly by them, reasons being ignorance, discomfort
and negligence among the workers. In Sundhara site, a worker had fallen from ninth floor of the
private building under construction for hotel/lodge and the worker died at the mean time. Even
though safety equipments are provided, workers neglect to use them. They pretend of using the
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equipments only in front of their heads thinking of being scolded by them. If the supervisors make
them use the equipments strictly in that case workers will definitely use them properly. [3]
The questionnaire had the following results:
a. Age: 3% of the workers were below 16 years of age. Majority of the workers i.e. 46% belonged
to the age group of 16-25 years. 36% were between 25 to 40 years and 15% were above 40 years
of age.
b. working hours: 46% workers worked for 8 hours and rest over 8 hours.
c. Prior safety information: 59% workers only were provided the construction safety information
before working in their respective projects and the rest were not.
d. Provision of safety awards: only 15% workers say that there were provisions of safety awards
for compliance with the safety measures.
e. Safety Trainings: Only 15% of the workers were provided with safety trainings and 85% of the
workers were not.
f. Safety Insurance: Only 31% workers were provided with safety and health insurance for
construction and rest 69% were not provided with any insurance. [3]
As per the study performed by Dr. Madhav Prasad Koirala, it was found that the contractors don’t
provide health facilities at the construction site for causal workers. They are compiled to work
without proper sanitary facilities, safe drinking water, no proper catering service and others.
Employees think that health related facilities are lacking in the site. Even though contractor has
these provisions in the contract, they hesitate to invest the extra amount of money for safety
equipment. No proper monitoring on this matter was found. Casual workers were found untrained,
unskilled and uninformed about the safety measure and equipment’s to be used. Only the workers
at Balaju-Ranipauwa road construction site were provided hats and boots as safety equipment. In
Road improvement project, regarding health and safety facilities and provision, there is a clause
in the contract to address health and safety issues and all the respondents reported that they have
worker’s insurance on their construction sites. Safety monitoring has been done monthly to check
the quality assessment of the workers and their working conditions. But there was no detailed
record for safety reporting and accident investigation. [2]
As per the questionnaire survey performed by sampling the members of FCAN (Federation of
Contractors’ Association of Nepal) elected on 2018, executive members register in Nepal, and
members from Society of Consulting Architectural & Engineering Firms (SCAEF), more than
80% respondent said that there were not really any safety awareness programs launched in
construction site. It was found that only 30% of the respondents agreed that there was management
of health safety problems by construction firms, and more than 50% disagreed with the statement.
On the question of satisfactory management of the health and safety problems by construction
firms, 52% of the respondent were not satisfied at all and 27% were only slightly satisfied. [2]
The third study was performed in Pokhara Metropolitan and the study method was quantitative
with a cross-sectional study design. There are 33 wards in the Pokhara Metropolitan. Eleven wards
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(one-third) were selected from 33 wards by using Randomizer Software to represent all the wards
of Pokhara Metropolitan. From each selected ward, 5 building construction sites were selected by
simple random sampling from the list of all building construction sites taken from the Pokhara
Metropolitan Office. From each selected construction site, 50% of workers were interviewed
randomly. So, the sampling technique was Multi-stage sampling. [1] The results obtained were as
follows:
a. Awareness of use of PPE: 95% were aware of the use of PPE at site and most popular PPE
equipments among workers were Gloves, Hard Hats, Leg Boots, Face Masks and Eye Protectors.
b. Aware of benefits of using PPE: 91% were aware of the benefits of PPE.
c. Availability of PPE: 73% of site had the availability of PPE for workers.
d. Awareness of occupational health problems: only 64% of workers were aware of occupational
health problems.
e. safety training: 93.5% of workers said that they have not received any workplace safety
trainings.
f. level of practice of PPE among workers: The majority of 63.8% of the respondents had a poor
level of practice of PPE. [1]
Laws and Standards of Construction Safety in Nepal
In Nepal, the standard related to construction safety is NBC: 114- 1994. This standard highlights
fundamental provisions related to construction safety Standard. [4]
a. construction safety against fire: For safety against Fire, the requirements of firefighting
equipment must be done as designated by fire safety engineer. Electrical power lines and circuits
must be cut off before the beginning of demolition activities in all construction sites. Nepal Fire
Safety Standard must be followed for determining the number of fire escapes on all sites. A
minimum of one fire safety escape should be provided. For building sites over four storeys, there
must be two fire safety escapes. For large buildings, there must be one fire escape for every 500
square meters of plinth area addition.
b. construction safety against excavation works: If the trench is deeper than one meter, then at least
one escape should be made for every 20-meter length of trench. For every work underground,
oxygen mask must be compulsorily provided. Some measures should be taken to protect service
lines during excavation works. Loose materials should not be left in the cut slope. Physical guards
and barriers must be provided for excavations made with mechanical equipment.
c. construction safety during construction of foundation: The type of foundation should be adopted
so that it will allow safe construction practices for site workers and for the neighboring properties.
The construction material and method should not harm in any way the health of the workers and
the neighbors of the construction site. For driving piles, the adjoining properties must first be
reinforced so that their foundation will not be having any impact under any conditions. Shoring
must be done so that accidents doesn’t happen when constructing deep foundation.
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d. construction safety during construction of walls: If the height of wall is above five meters,
suitable scaffolding with protection against horizontal motion must be provided at suitable height
which prevents any accidents to construction workers. Walking on top of freshly laid brick wall
should be prohibited for construction workers. Doors and window frames must be protected using
ropes on both sides during the construction of wall. If there is a public welfare space adjoining the
construction site, a canvas covered guard must be provided throughout the adjoining wall and also
up to an extra 1.2meter length.
e. construction safety during construction of roofs: If the slope of the roof is more than 30 degrees,
safety belt must compulsorily be provided. Workers should not be compelled to walk without
protection in asbestos cement sheet. Loose tiles should not be kept in the roof. It must be kept in
the scaffolding or horizontal working platform. The workers should not be made to walk over the
reinforcement. There must be platform for walking over the reinforcement. Railing or protective
guarding must be provided on all roof edges to prevent construction workers from falling.
f. Construction safety for use of explosives in construction works: The blasting areas must be
properly guarded and marked for blasting. Explosives must be used only after taking the necessary
permission from concerned government authority of Nepal Government. Audible signal must be
given before doing the actual blasting. People and animal must be removed from the blasting scene
when blasting is about to happen. Records of all blasting works along with the quantity of material
used must be kept by the construction company or general contractor who is conducting the
explosion works. Unused explosives and detonators must not be kept at the site. Blasting works
must be conducted by the company under the supervision of blasting agency.
g. Construction safety laws in Nepal: Labor law such as Labor act 2074 has got many provisions
related to Construction Safety of labor. Some of the provisions are:





No labor should be compelled to work overtime.
No labor should be compelled to work in places where there is occupational health hazard
of any form.
The employer must form a Safety and health committee if his construction firm has got
more than 20 construction workers. The representation of labor in the committee is a must.
No employee of a construction firm should be taken any act when he or she reports the
failure to implement the construction safety at the site to the concerned authority.
Employer to make arrangements of site safety, trainings, providing PPEs, making
emergency plans.
From the studies, we can arrive at the following conclusions about the status of construction safety
awareness for workers in Nepal:
a. Workers were mostly found untrained, unskilled and uninformed about safety measures
and equipments to be used.
b. Most workers were found unaware of the type of accidents and possible fatalities
associated.
c. Workers were found being careless with use of safety equipments.
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d. Employers were found giving less priority to safety and safety management with lack of
proper supervisions.
e. Employers hesitate to invest extra amount of money for safety equipments.
f. Programs of safety training and safety awareness were not found to be conducted
adequately.
g. Equipments to proper extent were not provided for the safety of workers.
h. Provision for safety awards and safety supervisors were not found.
i. There are less safety regulations and those present were also not found to be implemented
at the site.
6.2. Status of Safety Awareness in International Level
Three of the articles were reviewed to get the information about the status of safety awareness in
International level. The methodology used were questionnaires, interviews and observations.
Article on construction site Workers’ Awareness on Using Safety Equipment by N. Md. Ulang et.
al. was reviewed. The Questionnaire was prepared and information was obtained from sample set
of construction site workers. The safety awareness on Malaysian construction industry was
evaluated. The findings were obtained as follows:
a. Most of the workers belonged to the age group of 24-41 years.
b. The level of knowledge: 66% of workers have moderate knowledge on safety whereas 25%
have good and high level of knowledge.
c. Stressing of safety aspects by employers: 69% of workers responded with an affirmative answer
whereas 25% said the employer sometimes stress on safety aspects of workers.
d. Worker’s knowledge on PPE: 84% responded that they have knowledge of PPE while the rest
did not.
e. Supply of PPE equipment by employer: 78% of the workers responded that they were supplied
with PPE equipments by employer.
However, according to the author, it is difficult to ensure either the workers have knowledge of
this PPE aware while working or not. There is a possibility that they just worn the PPE equipment
when instructed by the SHO or from an authorities visited. However, when surveillance and
monitoring is not carried out, they indiscriminately violate the regulations; not wearing PPE
equipment during working. While there are some respondents who did not know on PPE; might
not have attended the course by CIDB. Nevertheless, an employer still provides the PPE equipment
to workers either they have already attended the course or not. [5]
The second study was done on construction hazard awareness and construction safety knowledge
sharing epistemology by R. Y. M. Li. The study included Thematic content analysis. this allows
for the grouping and categorizing of similar information to create and communicate a clear
common objective based on identifying themes related to knowledge sharing and safety awareness
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using information technology. Comprehensive questionnaires were used to conduct an online
survey via LinkedIn and Facebook to collect data. [6]
In total, 52% of the respondents had used Web 2.0 to share construction safety information without
specifying which platform they had used. Most respondents (68%) agreed that age was a hindrance
to the application of Web 2.0 in sharing information, probably because the respondents were of
different ages. Moreover, 6% remained neutral in this aspect. Similarly, more than 53% of the
participants considered the lack of technical skill as a barrier to using the platforms, with 67%
viewing convenience as a critical motivation for using social media. Concerning incentives and
rewards, 38% disagreed that they regarded them as motivational aspects. [6]
Mobile applications were found to be less popular among the professionals, with only 43% of the
participants reporting that they had used mobile apps for information sharing in communication.
The majority of these held senior professional positions in the sector, while most of those who had
not used mobile apps had a lower level of education and an advanced age. Irrespective of this,
most participants were willing to use mobile apps to share safety knowledge, the majority of whom
were above 50 on the 0-100 scale. Only 28% of the respondents agreed that their lack of knowledge
of using mobile apps was the main barrier for them. Regarding the older generation and use of
mobile apps, 47% considered it an obstacle. This trend can be justified by the different age groups
in the sample population and generally in the construction sector. Mobile apps scored equally to
social media concerning convenience. The fact that mobile apps can be used anywhere and anytime
was considered a motivation for sharing of knowledge using such technology by 39.2% of the
participants. There was a sizeable proportion of participants who were neutral regarding this issue.
[6]
The third study was about awareness of the use of personal protective equipment among
construction workers by Al Blooshi et. al. who focused on the issue of health and safety in thie
construction industry of United Arab Emirates. A cross-sectional study design was used, and data
were collected from 360 respondents using a questionnaire prepared in English and Malayalam
languages. The findings were obtained as below:
a. Age: 85% of the workers are between the age of 26-45 years.
b. Education: 60% workers have only primary level education, 16% with secondary and 21% with
tertiary education.
c. Awareness of health and safety regulations at building construction workplace: The majority of
the respondents in this study (86%) indicated that they are unaware of any regulation at their
construction workplace that governs occupational health and safety.
d. Construction workers’ awareness of occupational hazards: Dust, radiation, and excessive noise
pollution were observed at every construction site in this investigation. Welding fumes and paint
odor were observed in some building sites. Fumes can come from various sources, including
caulks, sealants, coatings, adhesives, paints, varnishes, stains, wall coverings, cleaning solutions,
fuels and combustion products, carpeting, and fabric materials.
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e. Awareness of how to work safely: About 91% of the respondents agreed that they are very
conversant with safely carrying out their various duties at the construction sites. This study also
revealed that about 78% of the respondents were performing duties that they were not very familiar
with, which is potentially hazardous. Furthermore, with respect to awareness of stopping unsafe
work, 93% of the respondents agreed that they are aware of the necessary job precautions they can
take in case of any eventuality at their workplaces. Further, on awareness of PPE usage, 85% of
the respondents acknowledged that they were unaware of the use of PPE while on duty at their
workplace. [7]
International Norms and Standards of Safety in Construction
OSHA Standards (USA): In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) plays a crucial role in enforcing construction safety. Their guidelines emphasize key areas
such as hazard communication, ensuring workers are informed about potential risks and the
necessary precautions. Fall protection is another significant focus, with stringent rules to prevent
accidents from heights, a common hazard in construction. Additionally, OSHA mandates the
correct usage of equipment, underscoring the importance of using well-maintained and appropriate
tools and machinery for specific tasks to minimize the risk of accidents. [8]
EU-OSHA Regulations (Europe): In the European Union, construction safety regulations prioritize
comprehensive risk assessments and the implementation of collective protection measures. The
EU’s regulatory approach is holistic, placing a strong emphasis on worker training and active
consultation. This strategy ensures that workers are not only well-informed about the risks they
face but are also actively involved in the creation and maintenance of a safe work environment.
The focus is on both identifying potential hazards and empowering workers through education and
participatory safety practices. [9]
ISO 45001:2018 (India): It is an international standard that outlines requirements for occupational
health and safety management systems. The key elements are that the standard focuses on worker
safety, reducing workplace risks, and creating better, safer working conditions globally. It provides
a framework applicable across various industries, including construction. [9]
Middle East: In the Middle East, the rapid pace of construction development introduces unique
safety challenges. This region is focusing on adapting international safety standards to better fit
local needs, recognizing the distinct environmental and cultural factors at play. There’s a growing
emphasis on worker welfare and safety, reflecting an evolving understanding of the importance of
these aspects in sustaining the construction boom. The approach combines global best practices
with region-specific strategies to ensure a safer working environment amidst the fast-paced
growth. [8]
From the studies, we can arrive at the following conclusions about the status of construction safety
awareness for workers in different countries:
a. Workers were mostly found trained, skilled and informed about safety measures and
equipments to be used except in the Middle East which consist of workers migrated from
underdeveloped countries and lack proper trainings, skills and knowledge of safety.
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b. Most workers were found aware of the type of accidents and possible fatalities associated.
This is due to proper trainings, briefings and communication at site.
c. Workers were found being careful with use of safety equipments.
d. Employers would stress on the worker’s safety and ensure proper supervision of works.
e. Employers do not hesitate to invest extra amount of money for safety equipments and
provide the workers with quality PPE equipments on their own.
f. Programs of safety training and safety awareness were conducted adequately.
g. Provision for safety awards and safety supervisors were not found.
h. There are safety regulations in place and are mostly implemented at the site.
i. There is use of technology such as mobile apps, internet in sharing information and learning
skills in safety practices.
j. But in the Middle East countries having construction boom, not much care was found to
be given towards worker’s safety and use of PPE equipments.
6.3. Room for Improvement in Safety Awareness for Nepal
There is always the room for improvement in construction worker’s safety awareness and
practices. Major improvement can be done in the implementation of safety standards at site.
Trainings, skill development and information sharing programs in construction safety can help
significantly in the improvement.
The integration of technology in safety awareness initiatives ca revolutionize the construction
industry by providing innovative solutions to identify, monitor, and mitigate safety risks. From
wearable devices and virtual reality simulations to artificial intelligence, these technological
advancements can empower construction companies to proactively address safety concerns,
enhance risk management practices, and create safer working environments for their workers. By
embracing technology-driven safety solutions, construction companies can not only prioritize the
well-being of their workforce but also improve efficiency, productivity, and overall project
outcomes.
To overcome the hurdles of adhering to the standards, collaboration with international bodies and
governments plays a crucial role. International organizations, such as the International Labour
Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), often provide guidelines and
resources that can be invaluable for countries struggling to implement safety standards. These
organizations can assist in developing local safety regulations that align with international
standards, while also being feasible for the region’s specific conditions. [10]
Government involvement is also critical. By adopting and enforcing regulations that align with
international standards, governments can create a framework that encourages or mandates
adherence to these practices. In many cases, governments can facilitate training programs and
provide financial assistance or incentives for companies that comply with safety standards.
Another solution lies in technology and innovation. The use of cost-effective safety technologies
can help bridge the gap in regions with limited resources. For instance, mobile apps for safety
training and risk assessment can be a cost-efficient way to disseminate safety knowledge and
practices.
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Furthermore, partnerships between global construction firms and local companies can be
beneficial. Such partnerships can enable knowledge and resource transfer, where global firms
share their expertise in safety standards and practices with local companies.
6.4. Strategies to Enhance Safety Awareness
The safety awareness can be enhanced in construction industry for the workers by following
measures:
a. Provide safety training: Employers can help to increase safety awareness amongst employees
by providing training on hazards and how to reduce the risk of these hazards. Trainings can be
provided on topics such as workplace safety, first aid, and hazards specific to the workplace.
b. Safety Policies and Procedures: Construction companies should establish and communicate
clear safety policies and procedures to all employees. These guidelines should address specific
hazards related to the construction tasks being performed and provide step-by-step instructions
on how to mitigate risks.
c. Encourage reporting of unsafe conditions: Employers can encourage employees to report
hazards or unsafe conditions either through a safety reporting system or a zero-tolerance policy
towards unsafe behavior.
d. Create a culture of safety: Employers can help to create a culture of safety in the workplace
through their policies and practices. Examples of how employers can create a culture of safety
include the following: Establishing a safety committee that meets regularly to discuss hazards
and how to reduce these hazards Monitoring and reviewing accident and injury logs to identify
hazards and implement corrective actions Creating a safe and healthy workplace can go a long
way towards increasing safety awareness amongst employees.
e. Host events and competitions: Hosting events and competitions can help to increase safety
awareness amongst employees. Examples of events and competitions that can help to increase
safety awareness include safety trivia nights, fun safety games, or a safety week.
f. Create a safety manual: Employers can create a safety manual that outlines the organization’s
policies and procedures when it comes to safety.
g. Share safety best practices: Employers can share safety best practices amongst other
organizations through organizations such as the National Safety Council.
h. Host safety seminars: Holding safety seminars with industry experts on topics such as
accident investigations and hazardous materials can help to increase safety awareness amongst
employees.
i. Provide Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regularly: Emphasize the
importance of using appropriate PPE to protect against common construction site hazards, such
15
as hard hats, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, gloves, and steel-toed boots. Ensure that
PPE is readily available and properly maintained. Having to put on safety gear before
performing a task heightens the level and awareness of safety in the workplace. Providing the
appropriate PPE is also an effective way to improve compliance.
j. Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Health: Promote ergonomics principles to reduce the risk
of musculoskeletal injuries. Train workers on proper lifting techniques, encourage stretching
exercises, and provide ergonomic tools and equipment to minimize physical strain.
k. Emergency Preparedness: Develop and communicate emergency response plans specific to
each construction site. Conduct drills and simulations to ensure that workers are familiar with
evacuation procedures, first aid protocols, and how to respond to emergencies effectively.
l. Create Posters that Display Safety Policies: Posters and banners are probably one of the first
things you think about when it comes to promoting safety awareness. Posters can be a great
way to remind employees of important safety protocols. You should only put-up posters
relevant to your operations and employees. To increase employee attention to posters, try
moving them or changing them every week or so.
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7. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this self-study paper aimed to compare the awareness of safety among workers in
the construction industry in Nepal with international practices. Through the exploration of various
factors such as safety regulations, training programs, enforcement mechanisms, and cultural
influences, several key findings emerged.
Firstly, it became evident that while Nepal has made strides in improving safety standards in
construction, there remain significant gaps compared to international best practices. Limited
enforcement of safety regulations, inadequate training programs, and socio-economic factors
contribute to heightened risks for workers in Nepal.
Secondly, international practices emphasize a comprehensive approach to safety, including robust
regulatory frameworks, extensive training, regular inspections, and a culture of safety
consciousness. These practices prioritize the well-being of workers and aim to minimize accidents
and fatalities on construction sites.
Furthermore, the cultural context of Nepal plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes towards safety.
Traditional hierarchies, socio-economic disparities, and a lack of awareness among workers and
employers pose challenges to implementing and enforcing safety measures effectively.
In light of these findings, bridging the gap between Nepal's safety standards and international
practices requires multi-faceted interventions. This could include strengthening regulatory
frameworks, enhancing training programs, increasing awareness among stakeholders, and
fostering a culture of safety within the construction industry.
Ultimately, improving the awareness of safety among workers in Nepal's construction sector is not
only a matter of compliance but also a moral imperative to safeguard the lives and well-being of
those contributing to the country's development. By aligning with international best practices and
addressing socio-cultural barriers, Nepal can strive towards a safer and more sustainable
construction industry for the benefit of all involved.
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