1.

Introduction
The construction industry is one of the • the high proportion of small firms and of
world’s major industries. Its achievement in self-employed workers;
rebuilding areas devastated by both natural and
man-made disasters, and in providing • the variety and comparatively short life of
power, services and communications to construction sites;
meet the rising needs and expectations • the high turnover of workers;
of people throughout the world, has
benefits
conferred on
great the human race. Despite • the large numbers of seasonal and migrant
mechanization, construction remains a workers, many of whom are unfamiliar with
major employer of labour – it often employs construction processes;
between
• exposure to the weather;
9 and 12 per cent of a country’s working
population, and sometimes as much as 20 per • the many different trades and occupations.
cent.
for There
this has, however, been
continuous growtha aprice
nd toactivity.it The purpose of the manual
Although
pay is difficult to obtain accurate in
statistics an industry in All of us who have looked for and found a
accidents which many go job in construction are concerned that
many countries known fatal
undetected and accidents,
unreported,and in our work should be safe and that conditions
those involving loss of working time, on the construction site should not cause
frequently exceed those in any other damage to our life, our health and our
manufacturing industry. professional skills.
Contributing to the high rate of accidents Through this manual – Safety, health and
are those characteristics of the industry which welfare on construction sites – we will
distinguish it from the rest of the help you to consider safety, health and
manufacturing sector. These are: welfare conditions on construction sites
in your country and to learn about
possible solutions to the problems you
encounter.