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Evaluation of Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Systems in Construction Industry: A Case Study Approach
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Health, Safety & Environment Engineering
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I11-1717713
Abstract
The construction industry in India, particularly in metropolitan areas like Noida, has witnessed rapid growth in recent years. However, this growth has also led to increasing challenges in maintaining safety standards at construction sites. This project was undertaken in one of the leading construction firms in Noida to study the effectiveness of existing safety management practices and to identify critical areas for improvement. The study focused on real-time observations at the project site, interactions with site personnel and reviews of safety documentation and compliance procedures. Several key observations were made during the course of the project. It was noted that while the organization had a basic safety framework in place, its implementation was inconsistent. Common safety lapses included improper use or absence of personal protective equipment (PPE), inadequate edge protection for work at height, poor scaffolding practices, cluttered walkways leading to tripping hazards and improper storage of hazardous materials. In some zones, electrical safety was compromised due to exposed wiring and lack of proper earthing. Fire safety preparedness was also found to be weak, with fire extinguishers either absent or not maintained and emergency evacuation plans poorly communicated to workers. Additionally, many workers lacked formal training in safety protocols and hazard identification. Based on these findings, several suggestions were made to improve the overall safety performance of the construction site. It was recommended that the company implement a structured safety induction program for all new and existing workers, conduct periodic refresher training sessions and ensure strict enforcement of PPE compliance. Regular safety audits and inspections should be institutionalized, with clearly documented corrective actions. Installation of adequate signage, securing of work-at-height areas with guardrails and proper maintenance of scaffolds were emphasized. It was also advised to form a site-level safety committee with representation from management and workforce to ensure participative safety management. The use of digital tools for incident reporting, training records and safety observation tracking can further streamline and strengthen the safety system. In conclusion, the project highlighted that while awareness of construction safety is increasing, there remains a significant gap between policy and on-ground implementation. By adopting a proactive, system-based approach to safety management, construction firms can reduce workplace incidents, protect their workforce and enhance overall project efficiency. The insights from this study provide valuable direction for improving safety standards not only in Noida but across the broader construction sector in India.
Keywords
Construction Safety, PPE Compliance, Hazard Management, Safety Training, Risk Mitigation.
References
[1] Ministry of Labour & Employment. (2020). The Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act, 1996 & Rules, Key legal framework for construction safety in India.
[2] OSHA construction safety regulations, 29 CFR 1926, USA.
[3] The Indian Electricity Rules, 1956.
[4] National Safety Council (NSC). (2020). Construction Safety Handbook (India Edition).
[5] Covers Indian safety standards, accident prevention and best practices.
[6] Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). (2016). IS 15883: Safety in Construction Sector – Guidelines.
[7] Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (OSHWC), 2020.
[8] Consolidated Indian labor laws impacting construction safety.
[9] The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
[10] The Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016.
[11] Indian standard for construction safety management.
[12] Aksorn, T., & Hadikusumo, B. H. W. (2008). "Critical Success Factors Influencing Safety Program Performance in Thai Construction Projects." Safety Science, 46(4), 709–727.(Useful for comparative analysis with India.)
[13] Gunduz, M., & Laitinen, H. (2018). "A Framework for Assessing Safety Performance in Indian Construction Projects." International Journal of Construction Management, 18(3), 212–223. Examines safety KPIs in Indian construction.
[14] Kheni, N. A., Gibb, A. G. F., & Dainty, A. R. J. (2010). "Health and Safety Management in Developing Countries: A Study of Construction SMEs in Ghana." Construction Management and Economics, 28(1), 23–35. (Relevant to India’s informal construction sector.)
[15] Sawhney, A., & Agrawal, S. (2017). "Safety Risk Assessment in Indian Construction Projects Using Fuzzy AHP." Journal of Construction in Developing Countries, 22(1), 1–18. Applies risk assessment models to Indian sites.
[16] Jitwasinkul, B., & Hadikusumo, B. H. W. (2011). "Identifying Thai Construction Workers’ Safety Knowledge." Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 18(6), 644–660. (Applicable to Indian context due to similar safety challenges in developing countries.)
[17] Directorate General Factory Advice Service & Labour Institutes (DGFASLI). (2021). Annual Report on Occupational Safety in Construction. Official Indian government report on construction accidents and compliance.
[18] Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC). (2019).Best Practices for Safety in Indian Construction. Industry-led guidelines for improving safety.
[19] International Labour Organization (ILO). (2018). Safety and Health at Work in India: Challenges and Opportunities. Discusses gaps in Indian construction safety enforcement.
[20] National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). (2022). Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (Construction Sector Data). Provides statistics on fatal accidents in Indian construction.
[21] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). (2020).* Guidelines for Safe Construction Practices in Urban Areas.
[22] Factories Act, 1948 (Amended 2020) – Covers worker safety in construction-related industries.
[23] IS 3764: Code of Practice for Safety in Construction (BIS).
[24] IS 13416: Safety Helmets for Construction Workers (BIS).
[25] IS 2750: Safety Code for Scaffolding (BIS).
[26] IS 3696: Safety Code for Working with Construction Machinery (BIS).
How to cite this paper
@article{1717713,
author = {Istaqrar Mehdi Baqri, Omprakash S. Thakare, Ajay Kumar Gupta},
title = {Evaluation of Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Systems in Construction Industry: A Case Study Approach},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {9},
number = {11},
pages = {1600-1612},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1717713.pdf},
abstract = {The construction industry in India, particularly in metropolitan areas like Noida, has witnessed rapid growth in recent years. However, this growth has also led to increasing challenges in maintaining safety standards at construction sites. This project was undertaken in one of the leading construction firms in Noida to study the effectiveness of existing safety management practices and to identify critical areas for improvement. The study focused on real-time observations at the project site, interactions with site personnel and reviews of safety documentation and compliance procedures. Several key observations were made during the course of the project. It was noted that while the organization had a basic safety framework in place, its implementation was inconsistent. Common safety lapses included improper use or absence of personal protective equipment (PPE), inadequate edge protection for work at height, poor scaffolding practices, cluttered walkways leading to tripping hazards and improper storage of hazardous materials. In some zones, electrical safety was compromised due to exposed wiring and lack of proper earthing. Fire safety preparedness was also found to be weak, with fire extinguishers either absent or not maintained and emergency evacuation plans poorly communicated to workers. Additionally, many workers lacked formal training in safety protocols and hazard identification. Based on these findings, several suggestions were made to improve the overall safety performance of the construction site. It was recommended that the company implement a structured safety induction program for all new and existing workers, conduct periodic refresher training sessions and ensure strict enforcement of PPE compliance. Regular safety audits and inspections should be institutionalized, with clearly documented corrective actions. Installation of adequate signage, securing of work-at-height areas with guardrails and proper maintenance of scaffolds were emphasized. It was also advised to form a site-level safety committee with representation from management and workforce to ensure participative safety management. The use of digital tools for incident reporting, training records and safety observation tracking can further streamline and strengthen the safety system. In conclusion, the project highlighted that while awareness of construction safety is increasing, there remains a significant gap between policy and on-ground implementation. By adopting a proactive, system-based approach to safety management, construction firms can reduce workplace incidents, protect their workforce and enhance overall project efficiency. The insights from this study provide valuable direction for improving safety standards not only in Noida but across the broader construction sector in India.},
keywords = {Construction Safety, PPE Compliance, Hazard Management, Safety Training, Risk Mitigation.},
month = {May},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I11-1717713}
}