Across Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, we frequently hear heartbreaking news about workers losing their lives at construction sites
By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden
Recently, the brother of Sindh’s well-known comedian Sherdil Gaho passed away in an accident while working as a laborer. Sadly, this is not an isolated tragedy. Across Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, we frequently hear heartbreaking news about workers losing their lives at construction sites while demolishing old buildings, due to collapsing roofs and walls, or during excavation and digging work.
These incidents are not merely “news stories”; they are preventable losses of human lives.
This raises an important question:
Why are complete safety measures not ensured in developing countries before such activities begin? In contrast, developed countries place the highest importance on worker safety. In those countries, not only workers but even engineers are not allowed to enter the site unless they follow all required safety protocols.
The Importance of Safety Measures: Protecting Precious Human Lives
Before starting any construction or demolition activity, adopting safety precautions should be a fundamental and non-negotiable principle.
Its importance can be understood in several ways:
- The most important factor is ensuring the protection and security of workers’ lives.
- The death or injury of even a single worker not only affects that individual and their family, but the impact of such an accident spreads across society.
- In case of an accident, work stops, investigations may follow, medical treatment must be provided for the injured, and compensation may need to be paid to the families of the deceased.
All of this increases the cost and duration of the project.
By adopting safety measures, such economic losses can be prevented.
Beyond economics, it is also the legal and moral responsibility of every state to safeguard the rights and safety of its citizens, especially laborers.
Safety Standards in Developed Countries: A Model to Learn From
In developed countries, safety standards at construction sites are extremely strict and inflexible. Comprehensive legislation exists to regulate workplace safety.
For example, in developed countries, the Work Environment Act is highly rigorous. It includes detailed guidance on:
- Safety protocols
- Machinery standards
- Worker training
- Occupational health and risk prevention
Work Environment Authority ensures implementation through continuous monitoring, inspections, and strict enforcement. Violations result in large fines and legal action.
Workers are provided with modern protective equipment, such as:
- Lightweight yet strong helmets
- Reflective vests
- Safety boots
- Harnesses
They also receive regular safety training to identify hazards and avoid them.
Before any project begins, a complete Risk Assessment is conducted, followed by the preparation of a formal Safety Plan.
Who Is Responsible? The Problem of Weak Implementation
In Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, safety laws may exist, but there appears to be a serious lack of implementation.
The government and relevant departments must:
- Introduce stronger legislation
- Establish empowered monitoring bodies
- Ensure strict enforcement
Construction companies and contractors are directly responsible for:
- Ensuring safety at worksites
- Providing protective equipment
- Offering training to workers
Labor unions and workers must also raise their voices for their rights and compliance with safety standards.
Unfortunately, in our country, it is often observed that:
- Contractors avoid purchasing safety equipment to save money
- Workers, due to ignorance or compulsion, neglect safety rules
Importance of Helmets, Reflective Vests, and Safety Gear
Certain items are essential at construction sites.
- Helmets protect workers in case a heavy object falls on their head.
- Reflective jackets help others see workers clearly at night or in low-light conditions, especially in traffic or vehicle movement areas.
- Safety boots protect feet from heavy objects and sharp materials.
- Safety harnesses prevent workers from falling while working at heights.
- Hand gloves protect hands and fingers from cuts and injuries.
- Safety glasses protect the eyes.
- Masks protect against dust and harmful particles.
Such equipment can mean the difference between life and death.
How to Build a Safer Future
Worker safety at construction sites is not only a legal issue, but it also reflects our social and moral values.
These values can be upheld by:
- Ensuring workers have insurance coverage
- Strictly enforcing safety laws
- Holding violators accountable
- Providing workers with regular safety training
- Increasing awareness about their rights
- Introducing modern technology and safety equipment in the construction industry
Joint efforts between government institutions and NGOs can also play an effective role in promoting safety awareness.
In essence, Workers are the backbone of our economy. Ensuring the safety of their lives is our collective responsibility.
Unless we provide a safe working environment for our labor force, we cannot claim to be a developed or humane society.
The time has come to take serious measures to prevent further loss of human lives and to provide our workers with the same level of protection and facilities that are considered standard in the developed world.
Read: Sindh – A Land of Contrasts
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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.
