Some common hazard categories relevant to construction work under the BOCW Act:

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Common hazard categories relevant to construction work under the BOCW Act

Common hazard categories under India's BOCW Act 1996,(Building and Other Construction Workers Act) focus on preventing serious injuries and fatalities and its accompanying Central Rules, common hazard categories in construction are identified to regulate safety, health, and welfare.

1. Physical Hazards

• Falls from Heights: Working on scaffolding, ladders, roofs.
• Machinery and Equipment: Use of heavy machinery, tools, and equipment.
• Electrical Hazards: Exposure to live wires, electrical equipment.
• Structural Collapse: Collapse of buildings, sheds, or lifting appliances
• Struck-By Incidents: Being hit by falling objects, moving vehicles, or heavy equipment like cranes and forklifts.
• Caught-In/Between: Risks of limbs or workers being compressed between objects or caught in unguarded moving machinery.

2. Chemical Hazards

• Exposure to Hazardous Substances: Chemicals, paints, solvents, corrosive, flammable, toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials.

3. Biological Hazards

• Exposure to Pathogens: Working in environments with potential biological contaminants.

4. Ergonomic Hazards

• Manual Handling: Lifting heavy loads.
• Poor Posture: Working in awkward positions for extended periods.
• Ergonomic Strain: Musculoskeletal disorders from improper lifting techniques, repetitive motions, or awkward postures.

5. Environmental Hazards

• Weather Conditions: Working in extreme temperatures, rain, or other adverse weather conditions.
• Dust and Particles: Exposure to dust and particles during construction activities.
• Extreme Temperature : Risks of heat stress from working in direct sun or high-heat environments.

6. Psychological Hazards

• Stress and Fatigue: Long working hours, high-pressure environments.

7. Health Hazards 

• Noise: Exposure to high noise levels from machinery.
• Respiratory Hazards: Inhalation of hazardous dust (silica, asbestos), fumes, or vapors from materials like cement or solvents.
• Vibration: Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome from power tools.

8. Specialized Activity Hazards

• Excavation and Tunnelling: Hazards include trench cave-ins, soil instability, and burial by landslides.
• Confined Spaces: Risks from oxygen deficiency, toxic gases, or entrapment.
• Demolition Work: Specific dangers related to the collapse of walls or partitions during deconstruction.
• Underwater Construction: Specialized risks involving diving equipment and the need for rescue plans.

Responsibilities Under BOCW Act

1. Employer’s Duties: Ensure safety measures, provide training, and maintain welfare facilities.
2. Worker’s Rights: Workers have the right to a safe working environment and to report hazards.

Control Measures

1. Safety Training: Regular training for workers on hazard identification and control.
2. PPE: Provision and use of personal protective equipment.
3. Safety Supervision: Regular supervision and monitoring of work sites.
4. Emergency Preparedness: Having emergency response plans in place.