BOCW ACT 1996

Form 24 for notice of dangerous occurrence and accident.

Form 23 for notice of poisoning and occupational diseases.
It applies to all the establishment where ten or more workers are employed for
construction work in the preceding 12 months.
Sec 28 : Workers shall be given holiday once in 7 days of week, remuneration shall be
given for holiday at a rate not less than fixed for overtime.
Sec 29 : Workers shall be paid two times the normal wage for overtime hours.
Sec 30 : registers , muster rolls , wages record and receipt shall be maintained
Sec 33 : latrines and urinals , separate urinals shall not be provided in case no. Of
persons is less than 50.
Sec 34 : free of charge accommodation at work site for building workers.
Sec 37 : wherein more than 250 persons are employed , separate canteen shall be in
provided.
Wherein more than 500 building workers are employed an emergency action plan
should be prepared and submitted to Director general.
Maximum weight allowed to be lifted
Adult male - 55 kg
Adult female - 30 kg
Adolescent male - 30 kg
Adolescent female - 20 kg
No person under 18 years of age shall be in charge of any lifting appliances.
Sec 38: Every construction site where more than 500 workers are employed safety
committee shall be constituted.
Sec 38 : Every institution where more than 500 workers are employed, the employer
shall appoint a safety officer.
Up to 1000 workers - 1 safety worker
Up to 2000 workers - 2 safety workers
Up to 5000 workers - 3 safety workers
Sec 39 : Notice of accidents
And 1 more there on for every extra 5000 workers.
Sec 42: The Central Government may, by notification, appoint a Gazetted Officer of that
Government to be the Director General of Inspection who shall be responsible for laying
down the standards of inspection and shall also exercise the powers of an Inspector
throughout India in relation to all the establishments for which the Central Government is
the appropriate Government. The State Government may, by notification, appoint a
Gazetted Officer of that Government to be the Chief Inspector of Inspection of Buildings
and Construction who shall be responsible for effectively carrying out the provisions of
this Act in the State and shall also exercise the powers of an Inspector under this Act
throughout the State.
IS 3696 #1

The various types of scaffolding are

Single pole scaffolding
Double pole scaffolding
Outrigger type scaffolding

Based on the maximum safe working load

Light duty scaffolding (SWL = 150kg/m²)
Heavy duty scaffolding ( SWL = 300kg/m²)
All the scaffoldings , in view of human safety, shall be tested with loads three times the
loads for which they are originally designed.

Utmost care should be taken to ensure no uninsulated electric wire runs in the vicinity of
the scaffolding at a distance less than 3 metres.

Bracing and Tying :

Bracing refers to the bamboos which are tied longitudinally to make the scaffolding more
stable and rigid , in case of double pole scaffolding transverse braces shall also be tied.
Bracing can generally be either diagonal or zig zag type. There other bracing techniques
also.

Tying refers to the securely tying the scaffolding structure to the adjacent building
structure such as wall for holding the structure stable and arresting its movement away or
towards the building walls.

Knots

Different types of knots are:

Granny knot
8 knot
Reef knot
Clove hitch knot.
Platforms

Width of the platforms should be as follows :

For scaffolding less than 2 metre height : 300 to 500mm

For scaffolding more than 2 metre height :

900 to 1200mm.
IS 3696 #2
Fibre Ropes : fibre ropes are extensively used for construction of scaffoldings and are
also used to hoist people and materials.

The chief raw materials for fibre ropes are Manila,sisal,coir and hemp. The use of Manila
rope is usually recommended usually for its high tensile strength. The sisal is only 67
percent as good as Manila fibre in terms of tensile strength.

The strength of an individual Manila fibre is around 23*10e7 N/mm². Though coir and
hemp are not as good as Manila and sisal fibres in terms of strength, they show higher
resistance towards atmospheric deterioration.

To check the strength of the rope fibre unwound it at one of the ends for a length of
around 200mm and try to pull it. If the strands break with little or no effort the rope
should be deemed unfit for any further use.
IS 3696 #3
Means of access

The means of access can be in provided by either of these

Ladders
Ramps
Stairways
The various factors that should be kept in mind are:
The ladders should be placed at an approximate angle of 75° with horizontal.
Portable ladders shall not be used for heights greater than 4 mt. For such purpose either
a fixed ladder or a stairways should be used.
The width of the ladder should not be less than 300mm and the spacing between the
rungs should not be more than 300mm.
The ladder rails should be extended at least 1 metre above the top landing surface.
The stairways should have width at least of 1 metre and the angle of ascend not more
than 50°.
Hand rails should be provided on both sides.
Boatswain's chair .
Extension trestle ladders

A ladder consisting of ‘A’ or trestle ladder, hinged at the top to form equal angles with the
base when spread, and with an additional single ladder section having parallel sides
which can be adjusted vertically and provided with a device to lock it in place.
IS 3764 #1

Trench : Any excavation in the ground in which the width of the excavation is less than
the depth of the excavations.

Responsibilities of Foremen and Supervisors : In all works, an experienced and

competent foreman or supervisor shall be placed in charge of the work whose authority
and responsibilities have been made clear to him and his subordinates. The foreman or
supervisor shall be made responsible for the strict observance, of the safety rules. He
shall have full authority to enforce the rules, guard against the use of defective safety
appliances, rigging, tools and materials, to see that no man is permitted to do work for
which he is not qualified, and to brief all work- men on the plan of work before work is
started with special emphasis on all potential hazards and on the ways to eliminate or
guard against them.

General Safety precautions :

Sides of excavation shall be inspected by fore- man or supervisor during the course of
excavation from time to time and after every rain, storm or other hazard-increasing
occurrence and protection against slides and cavings shall be increased, if necessary.
 Complete information on the underground structures (such as water pipelines, sewers,
gas mains, electrical conduit system and other civic facilities) is essential before doing the
excavation work. Proper precautions shall be taken to prevent accident to the workmen
engaged in excavation work and calamities for the general public.
No excavation or earthwork below the level of any foundation of building or structure
shall be commenced or continued unless adequate steps are taken to prevent danger to
any person employed, from collapse of the structure or fall of any part thereof.
Where medical facilities are not available nearby, first aid facilities like a first-aid kit
shall be maintained at the site of work. This shall be kept at a conspicuous place in the
charge of trained person(s). The kit shall be recouped periodically.
Workers shall be instructed to use safety devices and appliances provided to them
whenever it is necessary to do so.
Workers who are not aware of the hazards peculiar to the work shall not be permitted
to proceed with the work without being properly instructed. They should preferably be
under the close watch of a properly qualified and authorised person whose instructions
shall be obeyed by these workers.
In case any worker feels that he cannot perform a work safely, he shall immediately
inform the fore- man or supervisor of his inability to carry on with the work.
Safety helmets shall be worn by all persons entering trench where hazards from falling
stones, timber or other materials exist.
Appropriate safety footwear (rubber boots, protective covers, etc) shall be worn by
workers/ employees who are engaged in work requiring such protection.
All trenches in soil more than 1.5 m deep shall be securely shored and timbered.
All trenches in friable or unstable rock exceeding 2 m in depth shall be securely shored
and timbered.
IS 3764 #2
Safety ropes

Safety ropes should be tied to the workers' safety belts when they enter into potentially
dangerous excavations. Lifelines should attached properly to tie the safety ropes.
Preferably manilla ropes of diameter no less than 20 mm shall be used for lifelines.

A Lone worker shall not be allowed to enter the excavation site unless there is another
worker on ground for duty.

Harmful gases and fumes :

Air shall be considered unfit for workmen to breath if it contains any of the following
Less than 19 percent of oxygen by volume,
More than 1 percent of carbon dioxide by volume,
More than 0.01 percent of carbon monoxide by volume,
More than 0.002 percent of hydrogen sulphide gas by volume,
and More than 0.002 percent of nitrous oxide by volumes.
Arrangement must be made to measure the presence of harmful gases and render the
excavation harmless by means of mechanical ventilation
Where explosive mixtures of gases are present inside the trench the worker shall not be
allowed to enter the trench without purging.
Air containing more than 1.5 percent of the flammable gasses by volume shall be
deemed dangerous.
IS 3764 #3
Undercutting shall not be allowed in any case , if anywhere such techniques are
employed further excavation shall not be allowed until the left over cavity filled
completely

Hazards during excavation :

Quicksand
Water content
Freezing or thawing
Vibrations due to nearby machinery
Adjacent loose fills
Surcharge imposed by nearby buildings, piles of lumbers, rocks , other building materials
etc.
IS 4130
Before starting the actual demolition planning should be done keeping in the view the
safety of nearby buildings and other adjoining areas where general public is liable to
pass.
Before the demolition all the electrical lines, water connection and gas connection shall
be cut off.
Where there is impending danger of damage that may occur to adjacent buildings
because of demolition at any stage, they should be immediately vacated keeping in view
human safety.
Warning signs should be fixed and in other cases watchmen could be employed to
prevent any transgression into dangerous area.
No demolition should take place during night time.
Suitable number of first aid boxes shall be provided near the demolition site
Other safety devices and PPEs shall be employed to ensure personnel safety.
When buildings higher than 7.5 metres or two storey buildings are demolished then, any
passage or pathway within the distance of 4.5 metre shall be fenced or shed must be
provided to ensure proper execution of work.
IS CODES
IS 4151.1993 - CRASH HELMET
IS 2925.1984 - INDUSTRIAL SAFETY HELMET
IS 2745.1983 - FIREMAN'S SAFETY HELMET
IS 4770.1991 - RUBBER GLOVES ( ELECTRICAL)
IS 6994.1973 - LEATHER AND COTTON GLOVES
IS 2573.1983 - LEATHER GAUNTLETS AND MITTENS
IS 1989.1986 - LEATHER SAFETY BOOTS AND SHOES
IS 4128.1980 - FIREMAN LEATHER BOOT
IS 4770.1968 - ELECTRICAL SAFETY SHOES
IS 3521.1999 - SAFETY BELT
IS 9167.1979 - EAR PROTECTORS
IS 8523.1977 - CANISTER TYPE RESPIRATORS
IS 8522.1977 - CHEMICAL CARTRIDGE TYPE RESPIRATORS
IS 9473.1980 - FILTER TYPE PARTICULATE MATTER RESPIRATOR
IS 10245.1982 - SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS
IS 4379.1981 - INDUSTRIAL GAS CYLINDERS
IS 15298 - SAFETY SHOES
IS 3224 - GAS CYLINDER VALVES
IS 2148 - FLAME PROOF APPARATUS
IS 4576 - LIQUEFIED GAS
IS 2825 - DESIGN CODE FOR PRESSURE VESSEL
IS 2190 - SELECTION,INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRST AID FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS ( Classes of fire )
IS 3786 - SAFETY DEFINITION, CALCULATION OF RATES
IS 14489 - SAFETY AUDIT
IS 2878 - CARBON DIOXIDE FIRE EXTINGUISHER
IS 15683 - HALONS (CLEAN AGENTS)
IS 2171 - DRY POWDER FIRE EXTINGUISHER
IS 5572 - CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS ZONES
IS 5780 - INTRINSICALLY SAFE
IS 7389 - PRESSURISED
IS 8289 - NON SPARKING
IS 15656 - RISK ASSESSMENT

Gas cylinder color codes

1. Acetylene - Maroon
2. Air - Grey
3. Ammonia - Black with red and yellow band
4. Carbon dioxide - Black with white band
5. Carbon monoxide - Signal red with golden yellow band
 6. Chloride - Golden yellow
7. Nitrogen - grey with black band
8. Oxygen - Black
9. Hydrogen, methane, LPG - Red
10. Hydrogen cyanide - Blue
OSHA 3146 #1
The rule identifies areas or activities where fall protection is needed. These include, but
are not limited to, ramps, runways, and other walkways, excavations, hoist areas, holes,
formwork and reinforcing steel, leading edge work, unprotected sides and edges,
overhand bricklaying and related work, roofing work, precast concrete erection, wall
openings, residential construction, and other walking/working surfaces. The rule sets a
uniform threshold height of 6 feet (1.8 meters), thereby providing consistent protection.
This means that construction employers must protect their employees from fall hazards
and falling objects whenever an affected employee is 6 feet (1.8 meters) or more above
a lower level. Protection also must be provided for construction workers who are exposed
to the hazard of falling into dangerous equipment. Under the standard, employers are
able to select fall protection measures compatible with the type of work being
performed. Fall protection generally can be provided through the use of guardrail
systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, positioning device systems, and
warning line systems, among others.

Under 29 CFR Subpart M, Fall Protection, 1926.501, employers must assess the workplace
to determine if the walking or working surfaces on which employees are to work have the
strength and structural integrity to safely support workers. Employees are not permitted
to work on those surfaces until it has been determined that the surfaces have the
requisite strength and structural integrity to support the workers. Once employers have
determined that the surface is safe for employees to work on, the employer must select
one of the options listed for the work operation if a fall hazard is present. For example, if
an employee is exposed to falling 6 feet (1.8 metres) or more from an unprotected side
or edge, the employer must select either a guardrail system, safety net system, or
personal fall arrest system to protect the worker.
OSHA 3146 #2
Controlled Access Zones

A controlled access zone is a work area designated and clearly marked in which certain
types of work (such as overhand bricklaying) may take place without the use of
conventional fall protection systems—guardrail, personal arrest or safety net—to protect
the employees working in the zone.

Controlled access zones are used to keep out workers other than those authorized to
enter work areas from which guardrails have been removed. Where there are no
guardrails, masons are the only workers allowed in controlled access zones.

Controlled access zones, when created to limit entrance to areas where leading edge
work and other operations are taking place, must be defined by a control line or by any
other means that restrict access. Control lines shall consist of ropes, wires, tapes or
equivalent materials, and supporting stanchions

Excavations

Each employee at the edge of an excavation 6 feet (1.8 meters) or more deep shall be
protected from falling by guardrail systems, fences, barricades, or covers. Where
walkways are provided to permit employees to cross over excavations, guardrails are
required on the walkway if the fall would be 6 feet (1.8 meters) or more to the lower
level.
OSHA 3146 #3
Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices
Covers: Covers located in roadways and vehicular aisles must be able to support at
least twice the maximum axle load of the largest vehicle to which the cover might be
subjected. All other covers must be able to support at least twice the weight of
employees, equipment, and materials that may be imposed on the cover at any one
time. To prevent accidental displacement resulting from wind, equipment, or workers’
activities, all covers must be secured. All covers shall be color coded or bear the
markings “HOLE” or “COVER.”
Guardrail systems : The top edge height of toprails, or (equivalent) guardrails must
be 42 inches (1.1 meters) plus or minus 3 inches (8 centimeters), above the
walking/working level. When workers are using stilts, the top edge height of the top rail,
or equivalent member, must be increased an amount equal to the height of the stilts.
Screens, midrails, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or equivalent intermediate
structural members must be installed between the top edge of the guardrail system and
the walking/working surface when there are no walls or parapet walls at least 21 inches
(53 centimeters) high. When midrails are used, they must be installed at a height
midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working level.
When screens and mesh are used, they must extend from the top rail to the
walking/working level and along the entire opening between top rail supports.
Intermediate members, such as balusters, when used between posts, shall not be more
than 19 inches (48 centimeters) apart. At holes, guardrail systems must be set up on all
unprotected sides or edges. When holes are used for the passage of materials, the hole
shall have not more than two sides with removable guardrail sections. When the hole is
not in use, it must be covered or provided with guardrails along all unprotected sides or
edges. If guardrail systems are used around holes that are used as access points (such as
ladderways), gates must be used or the point of access must be offset to prevent
accidental walking into the hole.
OSHA 3146 #4
Personal fall arrest systems
These consist of an anchorage, connectors, and a body belt or body harness and may
include a deceleration device, lifeline, or suitable combinations. If a personal fall arrest
system is used for fall protection, it must do the following:

•Limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 900 pounds (4 kilo newtons) when
used with a body belt;

•Limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds (8 kiloNewtons) when

used with a body harness;

•Be rigged so that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 meters) nor
contact any lower level;

•Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum deceleration distance an

employee travels to 3.5 feet (1.07 meters); and

•Have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of an employee
free falling a distance of 6 feet (1.8 meters) or the free fall distance permitted by the
system, whichever is less.

On suspended scaffolds or similar work platforms with horizontal lifelines that may
become vertical lifelines, the devices used to connect to a horizontal lifeline shall be
capable of locking in both directions on the lifeline. Horizontal lifelines shall be designed,
installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person, as part of a complete
personal fall arrest system that maintains a safety factor of at least two. Lifelines shall
be protected against being cut or abraded. Self-retracting lifelines and lanyards that
automatically limit free fall distance to 2 feet (0.61 meters) or less shall be capable of
sustaining a minimum tensile load of 3,000 pounds (13.3 kiloNewtons) applied to the
device with the lifeline or lanyard in the fully extended position.

Anchorages shall be designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified
person, as part of a complete personal fall arrest system that maintains a safety factor of
at least two, i.e., capable of supporting at least twice the weight expected to be imposed
upon it. Anchorages used to attach personal fall arrest systems shall be independent of
any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms and must be capable of
supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kiloNewtons) per person attached. Lanyards and
vertical lifelines must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds (22.2
kiloNewtons).
OSHA 3146 #5
Positioning device systems
These body belt or body harness systems are to be set up so that a worker can free fall
no farther than 2 feet (0.6 meters). They shall be secured to an anchorage capable of
supporting at least twice the potential impact load of an employee’s fall or 3,000 pounds
(13.3 kiloNewtons), whichever is greater. Requirements for snaphooks, dee-rings, and
other connectors used with positioning device systems must meet the same criteria as
those for personal fall arrest systems.
Safety nets
Safety nets must be installed as close as practicable under the walking/working surface
on which employees are working and never more than 30 feet (9.1 meters) below such
levels. Defective nets shall not be used. Safety nets shall be inspected at least once a
week for wear, damage, and other deterioration.

Safety nets shall be capable of absorbing an impact force of a drop test consisting of a
400-pound (180 kilograms) bag of sand 30 inches (76 centimeters) in diameter dropped
from the highest walking/working surface at which workers are exposed, but not from
less than 42 inches (1.1 meters) above that level.
OSHA 3146 #6
Safety Monitoring Systems -

When no other alternative fall protection has been implemented, the employer shall
implement a safety monitoring system. Employers must appoint a competent person to
monitor the safety of workers and the employer shall ensure that the safety monitor:

• Is competent in the recognition of fall hazards,

• Is capable of warning workers of fall hazard dangers and in detecting unsafe work
practices,

• Is operating on the same walking/working surfaces of the workers and can see them,
and

• Is close enough to work operations to communicate orally with workers and has no
other duties to distract from the monitoring function.
Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Fall arrest is of two major types: general fall arrest, such as nets; and personal fall arrest,
such as lifelines. The most common manifestation of fall arrest in the workplace is the
Personal Fall Arrest System, or PFAS ("lifeline").

Such a system must include 4 elements referred to as ABCDs of Fall Arrest:

A - Anchorage - a fixed structure or structural adaptation, often including an anchorage

connector, to which the other components of the PFAS are rigged.

B - Body Wear - a full body harness worn by the worker.

C - Connector - a subsystem component connecting the harness to the anchorage - such

as a lanyard.

D - Deceleration Device - a subsystem component designed to dissipate the forces

associated with a fall arrest event.In Canada the 4th element of a fall protection system
is not Deceleration device but a Rescue plan

Each of these elements is critical to the effectiveness of a personal fall arrest system.
There are many different combinations of products that are commonly used to assemble
a personal fall arrest system, and each must meet strict standards.[1] The specific
environment or application generally dictates the combination or combinations that are
most appropriate.
Class 1: Body belts (single or double D-ring) are designed to restrain a person in a
hazardous work position and to reduce the possibility of falls. They should not be used
when fall potential exists; positioning only.
Class 2 : Chest harnesses are used when there are only limited fall hazards (no vertical
free fall hazard), or for retrieving persons such as removal of persons from a tank or a
bin.
Class 3: Full body harnesses are designed to arrest the most severe free falls.Class
4Suspension belts are independent work supports used to suspend a worker, such as
boatswain's chairs or raising or lowering harnesses.
Rope Lanyard: Offers some elastic properties for all arrest; used for restraint purpose.
Web Lanyard: Ideal for restraint purposes where fall hazards are less than 2 feet.
Cable Positioning lanyards: designed for corrosive or excess heat environments and
must be used in conjunction with shock absorbing devices. Shock absorbers when used,
the fall arresting force will be greatly reduced if a fall occurs.
Rope Grabs: A deceleration device which travels on a lifeline, used to safely ascend or
descend ladders or sloped surfaces and automatically, by friction, engages the lifeline and
locks so as to arrest the fall of an employee.
Retractable Lifeline systems: gives fall protection and mobility to the user when
working at height or in areas where there is a danger of falling.
Safety Nets: Can be used to lesson the fall exposure when working where temporary
floors and scaffolds are not used and the fall distance exceeds 25 feet.
Rail systems : when climbing a ladder, rail systems can be used on any fixed ladder as
well as curved surfaces as a reliable method of fall prevention.
Work Permit System #1
Permit to work :

A Permit is a formal written authority given to appropriately trained personnel to carry

out work in areas where particular hazards or adverse conditions may be present. The
permit is issued by an authorised person and confirms that the job in question has been
assessed and clearly defines the safety precautions to be taken. The permit is in addition
to the risk assessment process and any other documentation such as a safe work method
statement, safe work procedure or standard operating procedure.

A permit to work can be used over a series of dates and times providing the permit is for
the same location and work activity, dates and times of work must be listed on the
permit. A permit states;

(a)The exact identity, nature and extent of the job and the hazards involved. It also
outlines any limitations on the extent of the work and the time during which the job may
be carried out.

(b)Specifies the precautions which need to be taken, including safe isolation from
potential risks such as electricity and hazardous substances.

(c)Provides a system of continuous control and a record showing the nature of the work.
Provides a process for times when work has to be suspended.

(d)Provides for cross-referencing of permits for work activities that may interact or affect
one another.

(e) Provides a formal handover process for use when the permit is issued for a period
longer than one shift; and provides a formal hand back procedure to ensure that part of
the plant affected by the work is in a safe condition and ready for reinstatement.

The types of work permits are :

Hot work
Working at height ( more than 2 mt.)
Confined space entry
High voltage installations
Working near overhead lines ( less than 3 mt clearance )

Confined space entry permit :

Confined space permit to work is required for entry into all confined spaces. In relation to
a place of work, means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that;

(a) is not intended or designed primarily as a place of work,

(b) is at atmospheric pressure while persons are in it,

(c) may have an atmosphere with potentially harmful contaminants, an unsafe level of
oxygen or stored substances that may cause engulfment; and may (but need not) have
restricted means of entry and exit.

Examples of confined spaces are as follows; storage tanks, tank cars, process vessels,
boilers, pressure vessels, silos and other tank-like compartments, open-topped
spaces such as pits or degreasers, pipes, sewers, shafts, ducts and similar structures,
shipboard spaces entered through a small hatchway or access point, cargo tanks,
cellular double bottom tanks, duct keels, ballast and oil tanks and void spaces (but not
including dry cargo holds).
Work Permit System #2
Safe work method statement :

A statement that:

(a) describes how work is to be carried out;

(b) identifies the work activities assessed as having safety risk;

(c) identifies the safety risks; and

(d) describes the control measures that will be applied to the work activities, and includes
a description of the equipment used in the work, the standards or codes to be complied
with, the qualifications of the personnel doing the work and the training required to do
the work.

Work at height permit :

Working at heights refers to any work related activity being undertaken at an elevated
position, above 2 metres where there is the potential to fall. Falls from heights can also
include working in quarries, pits, wells, excavation and cliffs. Control measures must
also be taken when working in the above areas as the potential to fall from heights exists
when entering or exiting.

Hot works :

Permit to work is required when any activity defined as hot works such as welding,
thermal or oxygen cutting, heating, including fire-producing or spark-producing operations
that may increase the risk of fire or explosion is identified as being undertaken in or on
building or a confined space.

Overhead line permit :

Permit to work is required for planned work near (within 3 metres) of overhead power
lines. If the plant or equipment required for the job will encroach within 3 metres of over
head power lines, a permit to work must be completed,

High voltage installations :

Any work near an high voltage installation ( distance less than 3 metre ) requires a work
permit.
Work Permit System #3
Responsibilities of Supervisor or Authorised person issuing a Permit to Work.

Ensure all hazards associated with the proposed job have been identified, assessed and
controlled.
Be familiar with the intended task(s)
Ensure that the area and equipment are made safe before hand over.
Outline how the work is to be undertaken (e.g. procedures, precautions, equipment,
location, start time, duration) - verbally and where necessary in writing.
Ensure that permits are cross referenced with other permits (e.g. confined space entry
permit and hot work permit in confined spaces)
Ensure the permit is granted before work commences.
Ensure that the person(s) doing the work are appropriately qualified to do the work.
Ensure appropriate persons are informed when a job is completed or suspended and
that the permit is cancelled.

Responsibilities of the person undertaking the work ( permit holder)

Satisfy that they understand the requirements of the permit.

Are skilled, qualified trained and competent to perform the work, including the use of
any personnel protective equipment or rescue equipment.
Adhere to the Permit to Work requirements.
Ensure the job is performed in a safe manner by identifying hazards and have the
necessary controls in place.
Make the work area safe, including equipment and seek immediate advice if in doubt or
if circumstances or conditions change.
Ensure that all tags and signs are prominently displayed so that personnel are aware
that the equipment etc. is isolated / not to be operated.
BOCW rules 1998 #1
SAFETY AND HEALTH

GENERAL PROVISIONS

34. Excessive noise, vibration etc.

An employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work

that adequate measures are taken to protect building workers against the harmful effects
of excessive noise or vibration at such construction site and the noise level in no case
exceeds the limits laid down in Schedule VI annexed to these rules.

35. Fire protection

An employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work

that--

(a) such construction site is provided with--

(i) fire extinguishing equipment sufficient to extinguish any probable fire at such
construction site;

(ii) an adequate water supply at ample pressure as per national standards;

(iii) number of trained persons required to operate the fire extinguishing equipment
provided under sub-clause (i);

(b) fire extinguishing equipment provided under sub-clause (i) of clause (a) is properly
maintained and inspected at regular intervals of not less than once in a year by the
responsible person and a record of such inspections is maintained;

(c) in case of every launch or boat or other craft used for transport of building workers
and the cabin of every lifting appliance including mobile crane, adequate number of
portable fire extinguishing equipment of suitable type shall be provided at each of such
launch or boat or craft or lifting appliance.
36. Emergency action plans

An employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work

that in case more than five hundred building workers are employed at such construction
site emergency action plan to handle the emergencies like--

(a) fire and explosion;

(b) collapse of lifting appliances and transport equipment;

(c) collapse of building, sheds or structures etc;

(d) gas leakage or spillage of dangerous goods or chemicals;

(e) drowning of building workers, sinking of vessels; and

(f) land sides getting building worker buried, floods, storms and other natural calamities,
is prepared and submitted for the approval of the Director General.

38. Lifting and carrying of excessive weight

An employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work

that--

(a) no building worker lifts by hand or carries overhead or over his back or shoulders any
material, article, tool or appliances exceeding in weight the maximum limits set out in the
following table:

Person Maxim. um Weight Load

Adult man 55 kg

Adult woman 30 kg

Adolescent male 30 kg

Adolescent female 20 kg

unless aided by any other building worker or a mechanical device.

(b) no building worker aided by other building workers, lift by hand or carry overhead or
over their back or shoulders, any material, article, tool or appliance exceeding in weight
the sum total of maximum limits set out for each building worker separately under clause
(a), unless aided by a mechanical device.

39. Health and safety policy

(1) (a) Every establishment employing fifty or more building workers shall prepare a
written statement of policy in respect of safety and health of building workers and submit
the same for the approval of the Director General;

(b) the policy referred to in clause (a) shall contain the following, namely:

(i) the intentions and commitments of the establishment regarding health, safety and
environmental protection of building workers;

(ii) organisational arrangements made to carry out the policy referred to in clause (a)
specifying the responsibility at different levels of hierarchy;

(iii) responsibilities of the principal employer, contractor, sub-contractor, transporter or

other agencies involved in the building or other construction work;

(iv) techniques and methods for assessment of risk to safety, health and environmental
and remedial measures therefore;

(v) arrangements for training of building workers, trainers, supervisors or other persons
engaged in the construction work;

(vi) other arrangements for making the policy referred to in clause (a), effective;

(c) the intention and commitment referred to in sub-clause (i) of clause (b) shall be taken
into account in making decisions relating to plant, machinery, equipment, materials and
placement of building workers.

(2) A copy of the policy referred to in clause (a) of sub-rule (1), signed by an authorised
signatory shall be sent to the Central Government.

(3) The establishment shall revise the policy referred to in clause (a) of sub-rule (1) as
often as necessary under the following circumstances, namely:

(i) whenever any expansion or modification having implication on safety and health of the
building workers is made in such building or other construction work; or
(ii) whenever any new building or other construction work, substances, articles or
techniques are introduced having implication on health and safety of building workers.

(4) A copy of the policy referred to in sub-clause (a) of sub-rule (1) shall be displayed at
the conspicuous places in Hindi and a local language understood by the majority of
building workers at a construction site.

40. Dangerous and harmful environment

An employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work

that,--

(a) when an internal combustion engine exhausts into a confined space or excavation or
tunnel or any other work place where neither natural ventilation nor artificial ventilation
system is adequate to keep the carbon monoxide content of the atmosphere below fifty
parts per million, adequate and suitable measures are taken at such work place in order
to avoid exposure of building workers to health hazards;

(b) no building worker is allowed to enter any confined space or tank or trench or
excavation wherein there is given off any dust, fumes or other impurities of such nature
and to such extent as is likely to be injurious or offensive to the building worker or in
which explosives, poisonous, noxious or gaseous material or other harmful articles have
been carried or stored or in which dry ice has been used as a refrigerant, or which has
been fumigated or in which there is a possibility of oxygen deficiency, unless all practical
steps have been taken to remove such dust, fumes, or other impurities and dangers
which may be present and to prevent any further ingress thereof, and such work place or
tank or trench or excavation is certified by the responsible person to be safe and fit for
the entry of such building workers.

41. Overhead Protection

(1) The employer shall ensure at the building or other construction work that overhead
protection is erected along the periphery of every building under construction which shall
be of fifteen metres or more in height when completed.

(2) Overhead protection referred to in sub-rule (1) shall not be less than two metres wide
and shall be erected at a height not more than five metres above the base of the building
and the outer edge of such overhead protection shall be one hundred fifty millimetres
higher than the inner edge thereof or shall be erected at an angle of not more than
twenty degrees to its horizontal sloping into the building.

(3) The employer shall ensure at the building and other construction work that any area
exposed to risk of falling material, article or objects is roped off or cordoned off or
otherwise suitably guarded from inadvertent entry of person other than building workers
at work in such area.

43. Dust, gases, fumes etc.

An employer shall prevent concentration of dust, gases or fumes by providing suitable

means to control their concentration within the permissible limit so that they may not
cause injury or pose health hazard to a building worker at a building or other construction
work.

45. Eye Protection

Suitable personal protective equipment for the protection of eyes shall be provided by an
employer and used by the building worker engaged in operations like welding, cutting,
chipping, grinding or similar operations which may cause hazard to his eyes at a building
or other construction work.

46. Head protection and other protective apparel

(1) Every building worker required to pass through or work within the areas at building or
other construction work where there is hazard of his being struck by falling objects or
materials shall be provided by the employer with safety helmets of type and tested in
accordance with the national standards.

(2) Every building worker required to work in water or in wet concrete or in other similar
work at a building or other construction work, shall be provided with suitable waterproof
boots by the employer.

(3) Every building worker required to work in rain or in similar wet condition at building or
other construction work, shall be provided with water-proof coat with hat by the
employer.

(4) Every building worker required to use or handle alkalies, acid or other similar
corrosive substances at a building or other construction work shall be provided with
appropriate protective equipment by an employer, in accordance with the national
standards.
(5) Every building worker engaged in handling sharp objects or materials at a building or
other construction work which may cause hand injury, shall be provided with suitable
hand-gloves by the employer, in accordance with the national standards.

47. Electrical hazards

(1) Before commencement of any building or other construction work, the employer shall
take adequate measures to prevent any worker from coming into physical contact with
any electrical equipment or apparatus, machines or live electrical circuit which may cause
electrical hazard during the course of his employment at a building or other construction
work.

(2) The employer shall display and maintain suitable warning signs at conspicuous places
at a building or other construction work in Hindi and in a local language understood by
the majority of the building workers.

(3) In work places at a building or other construction work where the exact location of
underground electric power line is not known, the building workers using jack hammers,
crow bars or other hand-tools which may come in contact with a live electrical line, shall
be provided by the employer with insulated protective gloves and footwear of the type in
accordance with the national standards.

(4) The employer shall ensure that, as far as practicable, no wiring, which may come in
contact with water or which may be mechanically damaged, is left on ground or floor at a
building or other construction work.

(5) The employer shall ensure that all electrical appliances and current carrying
equipment used at a building or other construction work are made of sound material and
are properly and adequately earthed.

(6) The employer shall ensure that all temporary electrical installations at a building or
other construction work are provided with earth-leakage circuit breakers.

(7) The employer shall ensure that all electrical installations at a building or other
construction work comply with the requirements of any law for the time being in force.

49. Stability of structures

The employer shall ensure that no wall, chimney or other structure or part of a structure
is left unguarded in such condition that it may fall, collapse or weaken due to wind
pressure, vibration or due to any other reason at a site of a building or other construction
work.

50. Illumination of passageways, etc.

The employer shall ensure that illumination sufficient for maintaining safe working
conditions at a site of a building or other construction work is provided where building
workers are required to work or pass and for passageways, stairways and landing, such
illumination is not less than that provided in the relevant national standards.

51. Stacking of materials

The employer shall ensure, at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) all building materials are stored or stacked in a safe and orderly manner to avoid
obstruction of any passageway or place of work;

(b) material piles are stored or stacked in such a manner as to ensure stability;

(c) material or equipment is not stored upon any floor or platform in such quantity as to
exceed its safe carrying capacity;

(d) material or equipment is not stored or placed so close to any edge of a floor or
platform as to endanger the safety of persons below or working in the vicinity.

52. Disposal of debris

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) debris are handled and disposed of by a method which does not cause danger to the
safety of a person;

(b) debris are not allowed to accumulate so as to constitute a hazard;

(c) debris are kept sufficiently moist to bring down the dust within the permissible limit;
(d) debris are not thrown inside or outside from any height of such building or other
construction work;

(e) on completion of work, left over building material, article or other substance or debris
are disposed of as soon as possible to avoid any hazard to any traffic or person.

53. Numbering and marking of floors

The employer shall ensure that each floor or level of a building or other construction work
is appropriately numbered or marked at the landing of such floor or level.

54. Use of safety helmets and shoes

The employer shall ensure that all persons who are performing any work or services at a
building or other construction work, wear safety shoes and helmets conforming to the
national standards.
BOCW rules 1998 #2
Hoists,lifting machines and cranes

55.Construction and maintenance of lifting appliances

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) All lifting appliances, including their parts and working gear, whether fixed or
moveable and any plant or gear used in anchoring or fixing of such appliances, are--

(i) of sound construction, sound material, and of adequate strength to serve the purpose
for which these are to be used and all such appliances shall be free from patent defects;
and

(ii) maintained in good repair and working condition.

(b) (i) every drum or pulley around which the rope of any lifting appliance is carried, is of
adequate diameter and sound construction in relation to such rope;

(ii) any rope which terminates at the winding drum of a lifting appliance is securely
attached to such drum and at least three dead turns of such rope remain on such drum in
every operating position of such lifting appliance;

(iii) the flange of a drum project twice the rope diameter beyond the last layer of such
rope and if such projection is not available, other measures like anti-slackness guards
shall be provided to prevent such rope from coming off such drum;

(c) Every lifting appliance is provided with adequate and efficient brakes which--

(i) are capable of preventing fall of a suspended load (including any test load) and of
effectively controlling such load while it is being lowered;

(ii) act without shock;

(iii) have shoes that can be easily removed for running; and

(iv) are provided with simple and easily accessible means of adjustment:

PROVIDED that nothing contained in this clause shall apply to steamwinch which can be
operated as safely as with brakes as provided in accordance with this clause.
(d) Controls of every lifting appliance--

(i) are so situated that the driver of such appliance at his stand or seat has ample room
for operating and has an unrestricted view of building or other construction work, as far
as practicable, and that he remains clear of the load and ropes, and that no load passes
over him;

(ii) are positioned with due regard to ergonometric considerations for proper operation of
such appliance;

(iii) are so located that the driver of such appliance remains above the height of the heel
block during the whole operation of such appliance;

(iv) have upon them or adjacent to them clear markings to indicate their purpose and
mode of operations;

(v) are provided, where necessary, with a suitable locking device to prevent accidental
movement or displacement;

(vi) move, as far as practicable in the direction of the resultant load movement; and

(vii) wherever automatic brakes are provided, automatically come to the neutral position
in case of power failure.

56. Test and periodical examination of lifting appliances

The employer shall ensure at construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) all lifting appliances including all parts and gears thereof, whether fixed or moveable,
are tested and examined by a competent person before being taken into use for the first
time or after it has undergone any alterations or repairs liable to affect its strength or
stability or after erection on a construction site and also once at least in every five years,
in the manner specified in Schedule I annexed to these rules;

(b) all lifting appliances are thoroughly examined by a competent person once at least in
every twelve months and where the competent person making such examination forms
the opinion that the lifting appliance cannot continue to function safely, he shall forthwith
give notice in writing of his opinion to the owner of the lifting appliance.
Explanation : For the purpose of this rule, thorough examination means a visual
examination, supplemented, if necessary, by other means such as hammer test, carried
out as carefully as the conditions permit, in order to arrive at a reliable conclusion as to
the safety of the parts examined; and, if necessary, for such examination, parts of the
lifting appliance and gear, shall be dismantled.

57. Automatic safe load indicators

(a) The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction
work that--

(i) every crane, if so constructed that the safe working load may be varied by raising or
lowering of the jib or otherwise, is attached with an automatic indicator of safe working
loads which gives a warning to the operator wherever the load exceeds the safe working
load;

(ii) cut-out is provided which automatically arrests the movements of the lifting parts of
every crane if the load exceeds the safe working load, wherever possible;

(b) the provisions of sub-clause (i) of clause (a) apply, except where it is not possible to
install an automatic safe load indicator, in which case, provision of a table showing the
safe working loads at the corresponding inclinations or radi of the jib on the crane shall
be considered sufficient.

58. Installation

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) fixed lifting appliances are installed:

(i) by competent persons;

(ii) in a manner that such appliances cannot be displaced by the load, vibration or other
influences;

(iii) in a manner that the operator of such appliances is not exposed to danger from
loads, ropes or drums; and
(iv) in a manner that the operator can either see over the zone of operation or
communicate with all loading and unloading points by signal, or other communication
system;

(b) adequate clearance is provided between parts or loads of lifting appliances, and--

(i) the fixed objects such as walls and posts; or

(ii) electrical conductors;

(c) the lifting appliances, when exposed to wind loading are given sufficient additional
strength, stability and rigidity to withstand such loading safely.

(d) No structural alterations or repairs are made on any part of the lifting appliances that
affect the safety of such appliances without obtaining the opinion of the competent
person to this effect.

59. Winches

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) (i) winches are not used if control levers operate with excessive friction or play;

(ii) double gear winches are not used unless a positive means of locking the gear shift is
provided;

(iii) there is no load other than the fall and the hook assembly on the winch while
changing gears on a two gear winch;

(iv) adequate protection is provided to winch operator against abnormal weather;

(v) temporary seats or shelters for winch operators which may pose hazard to the winch
operator or any other building workers are not allowed to be used;

(vi) control levers are secured in the neutral position and, whenever possible, the power
is shut-off whenever winches are left unattended.

(b) in use of every steam winch--

(i) measures are taken to prevent escaping steam from obscuring any part of the
construction site or other work place or from otherwise hindering or injuring any building
worker;

(ii) extension control levers which tend to fall of their own weight are counter-balanced;

(iii) winch operators are not permitted to use the winch control extension levers except
for short handles on wheel type controls and that such levers are of adequate strength,
secure and fastened with metal connections at the fulcrum and at the permanent control
lever;

(c) in use of every electric winch, a building or other construction worker is not permitted
to transfer, alter or adjust electric control circuits in case of any defect in such winch.

(d) electric winches are not used for building work where--

(i) the electro-magnetic brake is unable to hold the load; or

(ii) one or more control points, either hoisting or lowering, are not operating properly.

60. Buckets

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that tip-up buckets are equipped with a device that effectively prevents accidental
tipping.

61. Identification and marking of safe working load

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) every lifting appliance and loose gear is clearly marked for its safe working load and
identification by stamping or other suitable means;

(b) (i) every derrick (other than derrick crane) is clearly marked for its safe working load
when such derrick is used either in single purchase with a lower block or in union
purchases in all possible block positions;

(ii) the lowest angle to the horizontal, to which the derrick may be used, is legibly
marked;
(c) every lifting appliance having more than one working load is fitted with effective
means to enable the operator to determine safe working load at each point under all
conditions of use;

(d) means to ascertain the safe working load for lifting gears under such conditions in
which such gears may be used are provided to enable a worker using such gears and such
means shall consist of--

(i) marking the safe working load in plain figures or letters upon the sling or upon a tablet
or ring of durable material attached securely thereto in case of chain slings; and

(ii) either the means specified in sub-clause (i) or notices so exhibited as can be easily
read by any concerned building worker stating the safe working load for the various sizes
of the wire rope slings used in case of wire rope slings.

62. Loading of lifting appliances and lifting gears

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) no lifting appliance, lifting gear or wire rope is used in an unsafe way and in such a
manner as to involve risk to life of building workers, and that they are not loaded beyond
their safe working load except for testing purposes under the direction of a competent
person in the manner as specified in Schedule I annexed to these rules.

(b) no lifting appliance, lifting gear or any other material handling appliance is used, if--

(i) the Inspector having jurisdiction is not satisfied with reference to certificate of test or
examination or to an authenticated record maintained as provided under these rules;

(ii) in the view of such Inspector, the lifting appliance, lifting gear or any other material
handling appliance is not safe for use in building or other construction work; and

(iii) no pulley block is used in building or other construction work unless the safe working
load and its identification are clearly marked on such block.

63. Operator's cab or cabin

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) the operator of every lifting machine in outdoor service is provided with a cab or cabin
which--

(i) is made of fire resistant material;

(ii) has a suitable seat, a foot rest and protection from vibration;

(iii) affords the operator an adequate view of the area of operation;

(iv) affords the necessary access to working parts in cab;

(v) affords the operator adequate protection against the weather;

(vi) is adequately ventilated; and

(vii) is provided with a suitable fire extinguisher.

64. Operation of lifting appliances

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) every crane driver or lifting operator possess adequate skill and training in the
operation of the particular lifting appliance;

(b) no person under eighteen years of age is in control of any lifting appliance, scaffold
winch, or to give signals to the operator;

(c) precaution is taken by the trained operator to prevent lifting appliance from being set
in motion;

(d) the operation of lifting appliance is governed by signals, in conformity with the
relevant national standards;

(e) the lifting appliance operator's attention is not distracted while he is working;

(f) no crane, hoist, winch or other lifting appliance or any part of such crane, hoist, winch
or other lifting appliance is, except for testing purposes, loaded beyond the safe working
load;

(g) during the hoisting operations effective precaution is taken to prevent any person
from standing or passing under the load in such operations;

(h) operator does not leave lifting appliance unattended while power is on or load is
suspended to such appliance;

(i) no person rides on a suspended load or on any lifting appliance;

(j) every part of a load in course of being hoisted or lowered is adequately suspended
and supported to prevent danger;

(k) every receptacle used for hoisting bricks, tiles, slates or other material is suitably
enclosed as to prevent the fall of any such materials;

(l) the hoisting platform is enclosed when loose materials or loaded wheel-barrows are
placed directly on such platform or lowering, such materials or wheel-barrows;

(m) no material is raised, lowered or slowed with any lifting appliance in such a way as to
cause sudden jerks to such appliance;

(n) in hoisting a barrow, any wheel of such barrow is not used as a means of support
unless adequate steps are taken to prevent the axle of such wheel from slipping out of its
bearings;

(o) long objects like planks or girders are provided with a tag line to prevent any
possibility of danger while raising or lowering such objects;

(p) during the process of landing of material, a building worker is not permitted to lean
out into empty space for finding out the loading and unloading of such material;

(q) the hoisting of loads at places where there is regular flow of traffic is carried out in an
enclosed space, or in case such hoisting is impracticable in enclosed space, measures are
taken to hold up or divert the traffic during the time of such hoisting;

(r) adequate steps are taken to prevent a load, in the course of being hoisted or lowered
from coming into contact with any object to avoid any displacement of such load;

(s) appliances are provided and used for guiding heavy loads when raising or lowering
heavy loads to avoid crushing of hands of building workers during such raising or lowering
of loads.
65. Hoists

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) hoist towers are designed according to relevant national standards;

(b) hoist shafts are provided with rigid panels or other adequate fencing--

(i) at the ground level on all sides of such shafts; and

(ii) at all other levels on all sides of the access to such shafts;

(c) the walls of hoist shafts, except at approaches, extend to at least two metres above
the floor or platform of access to such shafts;

(d) approaches to a hoist are provided with gates which are--

(i) gridded to maintain visibility;

(ii) at least two metres heights; and

(iii) equipped with a device which requires such gate to be closed before the platform of
such hoist can leave the landing and prevents the gate from being opened unless such
platform, is at the landing;

(e) approaches to a hoist are adequately lit;

(f) the guides of hoist platforms offer sufficient resistance to bending and, to bucking, in
the case of jamming, by providing a safety catch;

(g) overhead beams and their supports are capable of holding the total maximum live
and dead loads that such beams and supports will be required to carry, with a safety
factor of at least five;

(h) a clear space is provided--

(i) above the highest stopping place of a cage or platform to allow sufficient unobstructed
travel of such cage or platform in case of overwinding; and

(ii) below the lowest stopping place of such cage or platform;

(i) adequate covering is provided above the top of hoist shafts to prevent materials from
falling into such shafts;

(j) outdoor hoist towers are erected on adequately firm foundations and are securely
braced, guyed and anchored;

(k) a ladder way extends from the bottom to the top of every outdoor hoist tower in case
no other ladder way exists within easy reach and such ladder way comply with the
relevant national standards;

(l) the rated capacity of a hoisting engine is at least one and a half times the maximum
load that such engine will be required to move;

(m) all gearing on a hoisting engine is securely enclosed;

(n) steam piping of a hoisting engine is adequately protected against accidental contact
of such piping with a building worker;

(o) electrical equipment of a hoisting engine is effectively earthed;

(p) a hoist is provided with suitable devices to stop a hoisting engine as soon as the
platform of such hoist reaches its highest stopping place;

(q) a hoisting engine is protected by a suitable cover against weather and falling objects;

(r) a hoisting engine set up in a public thoroughfare is completely enclosed;

(s) all exhaust steam pipes discharge steam in such a manner that the steam so
discharged does not scald any person or obstruct the operator's view;

(t) the motion of a hoist is not reversed without first bringing it to rest to avoid any harm
from such reverse motion;

(u) a hoist, not designed for the conveyance of persons, is not set in motion from the
platform of such hoist;

(v) pawls and ratchet-wheels of a hoist, requiring disengagement of such pawls from such
ratchet-wheels, before the platform of such hoist is lowered, are not used;

(w) a platform of a hoist is capable of supporting such maximum load, that such platform
may carry, with a safety factor of at least three;
(x) a platform of a hoist is equipped with suitable safety gear which can hold such
platform with its maximum load in case its hoisting rope breaks;

(y) on platform of a hoist, the wheelbarrows or truck are efficiently blocked in a safe
position;

(z) a cage of a hoist or a platform, where the building workers are required to enter into
such cage or to go on such platform at landing level, is provided with a locking
arrangement to prevent such cage or platform from moving during the time a worker
enters or leaves such cage or platform;

(za) the sides of a platform of a hoist which, are not used for loading or unloading, are
provided with toe-board and enclosures of a wire mesh or any other suitable means to
prevent the fall of any part of a load from such platform;

(zb) a platform of a hoist, which has any probability of falling and part of load from it, is
provided with an adequate covering with such fall;

(zc) the counter-weights of a hoist consisting of an assemblage of several parts are so

constructed that such parts are rigidly connected together;

(zd) the counter-weights of a hoist run between guides;

(ze) at every level of work the building workers are provided with adequate platforms for
performing such work;

(zf) a legible notice in Hindi as well as in a local language is displayed at--

(i) a conspicuous place of the platforms of a hoist and that such notice states the
maximum carrying capacity of such hoist in kilograms;

(ii) a conspicuous place on the hoisting engine and that such notice states maximum
lifting capacity of such hoist in kilograms;

(iii) a conspicuous place on a hoist authorised and certified for the conveyance of the
person on the platform or cage and such notice states the maximum number of persons
to be carried on such hoist at one time;

(iv) a conspicuous place on a hoist carrying goods and other materials and such notice
states that such hoist is not meant for carriage of persons.
66. Fencing of and means of access to lifting appliances

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) safe means of access is provided to every part of a lifting appliance;

(b) the operator's platform on every crane or tip driven by mechanical power is securely
fenced and is provided with safe means of access and where access to such platform is by
a ladder--

(i) the sides of such ladder extend to a reasonable height beyond such platforms or some
other suitable handhold is provided in lieu thereof to prevent any falling of persons from
such platforms;

(ii) the handling place on such platform is maintained free from obstruction and slipping;
and

(iii) in case the height of such ladder exceeds six metres, the resting platforms are
provided on such ladder at every six metres of its height and where the distance between
last platform so provided and the top end of such ladder is more than two metres then on
such top end.

67. Rigging of derricks

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that every derrick has current and relevant rigging plans and any other information
necessary for the safe rigging of such derricks and its gear.

68. Securing of derrick foot

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that appropriate measures are taken to prevent the foot of a derrick being lifted out of its
socket or support.

69. Construction and maintenance of lifting gear

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) every lifting gear is--

(i) of good design and construction, sound material and adequate strength to perform the
work for which it is used;

(ii) free from patent defects; and

(iii) properly maintained in good repair and working order;

(b) components of the loose gear, at the time of its use, are renewed if one of its
dimensions at any point has decreased by ten per cent or more by user;

(c) a chain is withdrawn from use when it is stretched and increased in length which
exceeds five per cent of its length or when a link of such chain is deformed or is otherwise
damaged or raised scarves of defective welds is appeared on it;

(d) rings, hooks, swivels and end links attached to a chain are of the same material as
that of such chain;

(e) the voltage of electric supply to any magnetic lifting device does not fluctuate by
more than plus ten per cent or minus ten per cent.

70. Test and periodical examination of lifting gears

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) a lifting gear is initially tested for the manufacturer by a competent person, in a
manner specified in Schedule I annexed to these rules before taking into use or after
undergoing any substantive alterations which renders its any part liable to affect its
safety and such gear alters such test shall subsequently by retested for the use of its
owner at least once in every five years;

(b) a lifting gear in use is thoroughly examined once at least in every twelve months by a
competent person;

(c) a chain in use is thoroughly examined once at least every month by a responsible
person for its use;
(d) certificates of initial and periodical tests and examinations of loose gears under these
rules are obtained in Form VII annexed to these rules.

71. Ropes

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) no rope is used for building or other construction work unless--

(i) it is of good quality and free from patent defects; and

(ii) in the case of wire rope, it has been tested and examined by a competent person in
the manner specified in Schedule I annexed to these rules;

(b) every wire rope of lifting appliance or lifting gear used for building or other
construction work is inspected by a responsible person for such use, once at least in every
three months:

PROVIDED that after any such wire is broken in such rope, it shall thereafter be inspected
once at least in every month by the responsible person;

(c) no wire rope is used for building or other construction work if in any length of eight
diameters of such wires, the total number of visible broken wires exceed ten per cent of
the total number of wires in such rope, or such rope shows sign of excessive wear,
corrosion or other defects which in the opinion of the person who inspects it or Inspector,
having jurisdiction, is unfit for use;

(d) eye splices and loops of ropes for the attachment of hooks, rings and other such parts
to wire ropes are made with suitable thimble;

(e) a thimble or loop splice made in any wire rope sling conforms to the following
standards, namely:

(i) wire rope sling shall have at least three tucks with full strand of rope and two tucks
with one-half of the wires cut out of which of such strand in all cases, such strands shall
be tucked against the lay of the rope;

(ii) protruding ends of such strands in any splice of wire rope slings shall be covered or
treated so as to leave no sharp points;
(iii) a fibre rope or a rope sling shall have at least four tucks; tail of such tuck being
whipped in a suitable manner; and

(iv) a synthetic fibre rope or rope sling shall have at least four tucks with full strand
followed by further tuck with one-half filaments cut out of each of such strand and final
tuck with one-half of the remaining filaments cut out from such strands. Any portion of
the splices containing such tucks, with reduced number of filaments, shall be securely
covered with suitable tape or other materials:

PROVIDED that nothing contained in this sub-clause shall apply where any other form of
splice, which may be shown to be as efficient as the splice with above standards, is used.

72. Heat treatment of lifting gears

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) all chains other than briddle chains attached to derricks and all rings, hooks, shackles
and swivels used in hoisting or lowering of such derricks are effectively annealed under
supervision of a competent person and at the following intervals, namely:

(i) such chains, rings, hooks, shackles and swivels which are not more than twelve and a
half millimeter of length are so annealed at least once in every six months; and

(ii) all other such chains, rings, hooks, shackles and swivels are so annealed at least once
in every twelve months:

PROVIDED that such annealing as referred to in sub-clause (i) and sub-clause (ii) shall
not be required if the Inspector, having jurisdiction, after obtaining the approval of the
Director General, directs that such chains, rings, hooks, shackles and swivels undergo
some other treatment and in such cases the treatment directed by such Inspector shall be
followed:

PROVIDED FURTHER that in case of such chains, rings, hooks, shackles and swivels used
solely on such derricks and other hoisting appliances which are worked by hand, the
provisions of sub-clause (i) and sub-clause (ii), as the case may be, shall apply as if for
the period of six months and twelve months the periods of twelve months and two years
have respectively been substituted therein:

PROVIDED also that in case where the Inspector, having jurisdiction, is of the opinion that
owing to the size, design material or frequency of use of any such chains, rings, hooks,
shackles and swivels, the requirement of this clause for annealing is not necessary for the
protection of building worker, he may after obtaining the approval of the Director
General, certify in writing to such employer that subject to the conditions specified in such
certification, such chains, rings, hooks, shackles and swivels are exempted from such
annealing and thereafter the provision of this clause shall apply subject to such
exemption:

PROVIDED also that this clause shall not apply to--

(i) pitched chains, working on sprocket or sprocketed wheels;

(ii) rings, hooks and swivels permanently attached to pitched chains, pulley blocks or
weighing machines; and

(iii) hooks and swivels having ball bearings or other case hardened parts;

(b) a chain or a loose gear made of high tensile steel or alloy steel is plainly marked with
a mark indicating that it is so made;

(c) no chain or loose gear made of high tensile steel or alloy steel is subjected to any
form of heat treatment except where such treatment is necessary for the purpose of
repair of such chain or loose gear and that such repair is made under the direction of the
competent person;

(d) that the wrought iron gear, the past history of which is not traceable, is suspected of
being heat treated at incorrect temperature, is normalised before using it on any building
or other construction work.

73. Certificate to be issued after actual testing and examination, etc.

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that a competent person issues a certificate for the purpose of rule 56, rule 62, rule 71
and rule 72 only after actual testing or, as the case may be, examination of the apparatus
specified in the said rules.

74. Register of periodical test, examination and certificates thereof

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) a register in Form XXVI, annexed to these rules is maintained and particulars of such
test and examination of lifting appliances, lifting gears and heat treatment as required
under rule 56, rule 62 and rule 72, are entered in such register;

(b) certificate in respect of each of the following is obtained from competent person in
the forms as mentioned below, namely:

(i) in case of initial and periodical test and examination under rule 56 and rule 71, for--

(a) winches, derricks and their accessory gears in Form V annexed to these rules;

(b) cranes or hoists and their accessory gears in Form VI annexed to these rules;

(ii) in case of test, examination and re-examination of loose gears under clause (d) of
rule 70 in Form VII annexed to these rules;

(iii) in case of test and examination of wire ropes under rule 62 in Form VIII annexed to
these rules;

(iv) in case of heat treatment and examination of loose gears under rule 72 in Form IX
annexed to these rules;

(v) in case of annual thorough examination of the loose gears under clause (b) of rule 70,
except where required particulars of such exemption have been enclosed in the register
referred to in clause (a), in Form XXVI, annexed to these rules, and such certificates are
attached to the register referred to in clause (a);

(c) the register referred to in clause (a) and the certificates referred to in clause (b)
attached to such register are--

(i) kept at such construction site in case such register and certificate relate to lifting
appliances, loose gear and wire ropes;

(ii) produced on demand before an Inspector having jurisdiction; and

(iii) retained for at least five years after the date of the last entry made in such register;

(d) no lifting appliance or lifting gear in respect of which an entry is required to be made
in register referred to in clause (a) and certificate of test and examination are required to
be attached in such register in the manner as specified in clause (a) or clause (b), as the
case may be, is used for building or other construction work unless the required entries
have been made in such register and certificates.

75. Vacuum and magnetic lifting gear

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) no vacuum lifting gear, magnetic lifting gear or any other lifting gear where the load
on it is held by adhesive power, is used while workers are performing operations beneath
such gear;

(b) a magnetic lifting gear used in connection with building or other construction work is
provided with an alternative supply of power, such as batteries, which may come into
operation immediately in the event of failure of the main power supply;

(c) no building worker shall work within the swinging zone of the lifting gear or load or
building or other construction material suspended to such lifting gear.

76. Knotting of chains and wire ropes

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that no chain or wire rope with a knot in it is used in building or other construction work.

77. Carrying of persons by means of lifting appliances, etc.

(1) The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction
work that no building worker is raised, lowered or carried by a power-driven lifting
appliance except--

(a) on the driver's platform in the cage of a crane; or

(b) on a hoist; or

(c) on an approved suspended scaffold:

PROVIDED that a building worker may be raised, loowered or carried by a power-driven

lifting appliance--
(i) in circumstances where the use of a hoist or of a suspended scaffold is not reasonably
practicable and the requirements of sub-rule (2) are complied with; or

(ii) on an aerial cableway or aerial ropeway in case where the requirements of sub-rule
(2) are complied with.

(2) The requirements referred to in proviso to sub-rule (1) are as below, namely:

(i) that the appliance referred to in such proviso can be operated from one position only;

(ii) that any winch used in connection with the appliance referred to in such proviso
comply with the requirements of rule 59;

(iii) that no person shall be carried by the appliance referred to in such proviso except--

(a) in a chair or cage, or

(b) in a skip or other receptacle at least three feet deep which is suitable for safe carriage
of a person and any such chair, cage, skip or other receptacle is made of good
construction, sound material, and has adequate strength and is properly maintained with
suitable means to prevent any occupant therein from falling out of it and is free from any
material or tools which may interfere with the handhold or foothold of such occupant or
otherwise endanger him; and

(iv) that suitable measures shall be taken to prevent the chair, cage, skip or other
receptacle from spinning or tipping in a manner dangerous to any occupant therein.

78. Hoists carrying persons

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) no building worker is carried by a hoist unless it is provided with a cage which--

(i) is so constructed as to prevent, when its gates are shut, any building worker carried by
such hoist from falling out of it or from being trapped between any part of such cage and
any fixed structure or other moving part of such hoist or from being struck by articles or
materials falling down the hoistway on which such hoist is moving; and

(ii) is fitted on each of its side from which, access is provided to a landing place with a
gate which has efficient interlocking or other devices to secure so that such gate cannot
be opened except when such cage is at a landing place and that such cage cannot be
moved away from any such place until such gate is closed.

(b) every gate in the hoistway enclosure of such hoist used for carrying persons is fitted
with efficient inter-locking or other devices to secure so that gate cannot be opened
except when the cage of such gate is at the landing place, and that such cage cannot be
moved away from the landing place until such gate is closed.

(c) in every hoist used for carrying building workers these are provided suitable and
efficient automatic devices to ensure that the cage of such hoist comes to rest at a point
above the lowest point to which such cage may travel.

79. Attachment of loads

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) when a sling is used to hoist long materials, a lifting beam is used to space the sling
legs for proper balance and when a load is suspended at two or more points with slings,
the eyes of the lifting legs of such slings are shackled together and such shackle or eyes
of the shackled slings are placed on the hook or the eyes of such lifting legs are shackled
directly to the hoisting block, ball or balance beam, as the case may be;

(b) every container or receptacle used for raising or lowering stone, bricks, tiles, slates or
other similar objects is so enclosed with the hoist as to prevent the fall of such objects;

(c) a loaded wheelbarrow placed directly on a platform of a hoist for raising or lowering of
such wheelbarrows is so secured that such wheelbarrows cannot move and such platform
is enclosed to prevent the fall of the contents kept in such wheelbarrows;

(d) landings of a hoist are so designed and arranged that building workers on such hoist
are not required to lean out into empty space for loading and unloading any material
from such hoist.

80. Tower Cranes

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--
(a) no person other than the operator trained and capable to work at heights are
employed to operate tower cranes;

(b) the ground on which a tower crane stands has adequate bearing capacity;

(c) bases for tower cranes and trucks for rail-mounted tower cranes are firm and levelled
and such cranes are erected at a reasonably safe distance from excavations and are
operated within gradient limits as specified by the manufacturer of such cranes;

(d) tower cranes are sited where there is a clear space available for erection, operation
and dismantling of such cranes;

(e) tower cranes are sited in such a way that the loads on such cranes are not handled
over any occupied premises, public thoroughfares, railways or near power cables, other
than construction works for which such cranes are used;

(f) where two or more tower cranes are sited and operated, every care is taken to ensure
positive and proper communication between operators of such cranes to avoid any
danger or dangerous occurrences;

(g) tower cranes are used for loading magnet or demolition ball service, piling operation
or other similar operations which could impose excessive load stresses on the crane
structure of such cranes;

(h) the instructions of the manufacturer of a tower crane and standard safe practices
regarding such crane are followed while operating or using such crane.

81. Qualification of operator of lifting winches and of signaller, etc.

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that no person is employed to drive or operate a lifting appliance, whether driven by
mechanical power or otherwise or to give signals to drive or operator of such lifting
appliance or to work as a operator of a rigger or derricks unless he--

(i) is above eighteen years of age;

(ii) is sufficiently competent and reliable;

(iii) possesses the knowledge of the inherent risks involved in the operation of lifting
appliances; and
(iv) is medically examined periodically as specified in Schedule VII annexed to these
rules.
BOCW Rules 1998 #3
SCAFFOLD

188. Scaffold construction

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) every scaffold and every component thereof is of adequate construction, made of
sound material and free from defects and is safe for the purposes for which it is intended
for use;

(b) in case bamboo is used for scaffolding, such bamboo is of suitable quality, good
condition, free from protruding knots and stripped off to avoid any injury to building
workers during handling such bamboo;

(c) all metal scaffolds used in building or other construction work conform to be relevant
national standards.

189. Supervision by a responsible person

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that no scaffold is erected, added, altered or dismantled except under the supervision of
a responsible person for such erection, addition, alteration or dismantling.

190. Maintenance

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) the scaffold used in building or other construction work is maintained in good repairs
and the measures are taken against its accidental displacement or any other hazard;

(b) no scaffold or part thereof is partly dismantled and allowed to remain in such a
condition unless--

(i) the stability or safety of the remaining portion of such scaffold has been ensured by a
responsible person for the safety of such scaffolds;

(ii) in case the remaining part of such scaffold cannot be used by the building workers,
necessary warning notice written in Hindi and in a language understood by the majority
of the building workers that such scaffold is unit for use, is displayed at the place where
such scaffold is erected.

191. Standards, ledger, putlogs

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) standards of a scaffold are--

(i) plumb, where practicable;

(ii) fixed sufficiently close together to secure the stability of such scaffold having regard
to all the possible working situations and conditions for the intended use of such scaffold;

(iii) spaced, as close as practicable, to ensure safety and stability of such scaffold;

(b) adequate measures are taken to prevent displacement of a standard of a scaffold

either by providing sole plate or a base plate, as necessary;

(c) ledgers of metal scaffold are placed at vertical intervals with due regard to safety and
stability of such scaffold;

(d) bamboo ledgers are kept as nearly as possible and are placed and fastened to the
standards of a scaffold with due regard to the stability of such scaffold.

192. Working platform

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) working platform is provided around the face or edge of a building adjoining at every
uppermost permanent floor of such building under construction and at any level where
construction work of such building is carried out;

(b) a platform is designed to suit the number of building workers to be employed on each
bay of a scaffold work on such platform and the materials or articles and tools to be
carried with them in such bay;

(c) the safe working load and the number of building workers to be employed in each bay
of a scaffold are displayed for the information of all the building workers employed at
such construction site.
193. Board, plank and decking

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) board, plank and decking used in the construction of a working platform is of uniform
size and strength and is capable of supporting the load and number of building workers in
accordance with the relevant national standards keeping in view the safety of such
building workers;

(b) metal decking, which forms part of a working platform, is provided with non-skid
surface;

(c) no board or plank which forms the working platform is projected beyond its end
support unless it is effectively prevented from tripping or lifting;

(d) board, plank or decking is fastened and secured;

(e) at any one time, not more than two working platforms per bay, are used to support
building workers or materials or articles at such bay;

(f) adequate measures are taken to prevent injury which may be caused by falling
material and objects by using safety nets or other suitable means;

(g) concrete, other debris or materials are not allowed to accumulate at any platform on
a scaffold;

(h) where a work is to be done at the end of a wall, working platform at such work place
is faced or, wherever practicable, at least zero point sixty metres beyond the end of such
wall.

194. Repair of damaged scaffold

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) no building worker is permitted to work on a scaffold which has been damaged or
weakened unless adequate safety measures have been taken to ensure the safety of
such building worker;

(b) necessary warning signs are displayed at such places where repairs of scaffold are
undertaken.
195. Opening

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) there is no opening in any working platform except for allowing access to such
working platform;

(b) wherever opening on a platform is unavoidable, necessary measures for protection

against falling of objects or building workers from such platform are taken by providing
suitable safety nets, belts or any other similar means;

(c) access from one working platform to another platform on a scaffold, if required, is
provided with suitable and safe ladder for the use of building workers working on such
platforms.

196. Guardrails

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that every side of a working platform from which a person is liable to fall is provided with
suitable and safe guardrails and toeboard of adequate strength to prevent fall of any
building worker, material or tools from such platform.

197. Scaffold used by building workers of different employers

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) where a scaffold or a part of a scaffold is used, which has previously been used by
another employer for his building workers, such scaffold or part thereof is used only after
its inspection and examination by a responsible person for its use that such scaffold or
part is safe and fit for such use;

(b) if any rectification, alteration or modification in a scaffold or part thereof is needed to

suit its use, such rectification, alteration or modification is made in consultation with the
responsible person referred to in clause (a) before using such scaffold or part.

198. Protection against electric power line

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that all necessary and practical measures for protection are taken to prevent any building
worker, working on a scaffold, from coming into contact with the electric wires or
dangerous equipment.
199. Screening net and wirenets

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that where a scaffold is erected in an area where the construction activities may pose
hazards to pedestrians or vehicular traffic nearby from the falling of objects, wirenets or
screening nets are used to envelope such scaffold.

200. Tower scaffold

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) the height of every tower scaffold used in building or other construction work is not
more than eight times, the lesser of a base dimension of such scaffold;

(b) a tower scaffold is lashed to a building or a fixed structure before being used by the
building workers;

(c) any tower scaffold which can be moved or castered is--

(i) constructed with due regard to the stability and, if necessary, adequately weighed at
the base;

(ii) used only on plain and even surface; and

(iii) has casters provided with positive locking devices to hold such scaffold in position;

(d) no building worker remains on board scaffold, tools, material when it is being shifted
from one position to another position.

201. Gear for suspension of scaffold

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) chains, ropes or lifting gears used for suspension of a scaffold are of adequate
strength, made of sound material and suitable for the purposes of their use and are
maintained in good repairs;

(b) chains, wires, ropes or metal tubes used for the suspension of a scaffold are--

(i) properly and securely fastened to every anchorage point and to the scaffold ledgers of
other main supporting members used for the support of such scaffold; and

(ii) so positioned as to ensure stability of the scaffold.

202. Trestle scaffold and cantilever scaffold

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) no trestle scaffold is constructed with more than three tiers or if its working platform
is more than four point five metres above the ground or floor or other surface upon which
such scaffold is erected, such trestle scaffold is designed by professional engineer and has
the approval of Director General before being taken into use;

(b) no trestle scaffold is erected on a suspended scaffold;

(c) no cantilever or jib scaffold is used unless it is adequately supported, fixed and
anchored on opposite side of its support has out-riggers of adequate length and where
necessary sufficiently supported and braced to ensure safety and stability of such
scaffold;

(d) no working platform resting on bearers let into a wall at one end and without other
support is used unless such bearers are of adequate strength, braced through the wall
and securely fastened on the other side.

203. Scaffold supported by building

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) no part of a building is used as support or part of a scaffold unless such part of the
building is made of sufficient strength and made of sound material to afford safe support;

(b) overhanging eaves gutters are not used for supporting scaffold;

(c) suspended scaffold is made of in accordance with the relevant national standards
before being used by the building workers.

204. Use of winches and climbers for suspended scaffold

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--
(a) no suspended scaffold is raised or lowered by winches or climbers unless such scaffold
is made of sound material, adequate strength and has been tested and certified safe for
use of winches or climber for such raising or lowering by a competent person before being
taken into use;

(b) all suspended scaffolds counter-balanced by counter weights are of types, approved
by the Director General before being taken into use for building or other construction
work;

(c) the working platform of a suspended scaffold is securely fastened to the building or
structure as to be safe and to prevent such platform from swinging;

(d) the safe working load which a suspended scaffold can carry, is displayed where such
scaffold is being used.

205. Safety devices for suspended scaffold

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that every suspended scaffold, raised or lowered by the winches or climbers, is provided
at each of its suspension point with a safety rope with automatic safety device mounted
on each of such rope so that such safety rope with such automatic safety device supports
the platform of such scaffold in the event of failure of the primary suspension wire ropes,
winches, climbers or any part of the mechanism used for raising or lowering such
suspended scaffold:

PROVIDED that this rule shall not apply--

(a) where the platform of such scaffold is supported with two independent suspension
wire ropes at or near each end of such platform so that in the event of failure of one of
such suspension wire rope, the other wire rope is capable of sustaining the weights of
such platform and its load and prevent it from tilting; or

(b) where a system is incorporated which operates automatically to support the platform
of such scaffold and its load in the event of failure of the primary suspension wire rope of
such scaffold.
BOCW Rules 1998 #4
MEDICAL FACILITIES

223. Medical examination of building workers, etc.

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) (i) a building worker who is employed for a work involving such risk or hazards,
inherent in such work as the Director General considers appropriate for the periodical
medical examination of such worker, is medically examined at such intervals as the
Director General may direct from time-to-time;

(ii) every operator of a crane, winch or other lifting appliance, transport equipment or
vehicle, is medically examined before employing such operator and again periodically, at
such intervals as the Director General may direct from time-to-time;

(iii) the medical examination referred to in sub-clause (i) and sub-clause (ii) is in
accordance with Schedule VII, annexed to these rules and is conducted by such medical
officers or at such hospitals as are approved by the Central Government for the purpose
from time-to-time;

(iv) in case of a building worker who is exposed to special occupational health hazard
owing to job or work assigned to such worker, the periodical medical examination
referred to in sub-clause (i) or sub-clause (ii) includes such special investigation as may
be deemed necessary by the construction medical officer examining such building worker
for the diagnosis of occupational disease.

(b) no building worker is charged for the medical examination referred to in sub-clause (i)
or sub-clause (ii) of clause (a) and the cost of such examination is borne by the employer
employing such building worker;

(c) certificate of medical examination referred to in sub-clause (i) or sub-clause (ii) of

clause (a) is issued in Form XI annexed to these rules;

(d) the record of the medical examination referred to in sub-clause (i) or sub-clause (ii) of
clause (a) of every building worker employed by him is maintained in a register in Form
XII annexed to these rules and such register shall be made available to the inspector
having jurisdiction, on demand;

(e) in case a construction medical officer examining a building worker under sub-clause
(i) or sub-clause (ii) of clause (a) is of the opinion that such building worker so examined
is required to be taken away from the building or other construction work at which he is
employed for health protection, such medical officer shall inform the employer of such
building worker accordingly and such employer shall inform such opinion to the Board
where such worker is registered as a beneficiary.

224. Duties of construction medical officers

(1) The medical examination referred to in sub-clause (i) or sub-clause (ii) of clause (a)
of rule 223 shall be carried out by a construction medical officer.

(2) The duties and responsibilities of such construction medical officer shall be as given
below, namely:

(a) medical examination of building workers;

(b) first-aid care including emergency medical treatment;

(c) notification of occupational diseases to the concerned authorities in accordance with

these rules;

(d) immunisation services;

(e) medical record, upkeep and maintenance;

(f) health education including advisory services on family planning, personal hygiene,
environmental sanitation and safety;

(g) referral services.

225. Occupational health centres

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
involving hazardous processes specified under Schedule IX annexed to these rules that--

(a) an occupational health centre, mobile or static, is provided and maintained in good
order at such site;

(b) services and facilities as per the scale laid down in Schedule X, annexed to these rules
are provided at the occupational health centre referred to in clause (a);

(c) a construction medical officer appointed at an occupational health centre possesses

the qualification as laid down in Schedule XI, annexed to these rules.
226. Ambulance Room

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) in case five hundred or less workers are employed at such construction site there is an
ambulance room at such construction site or an arrangement with a nearby hospital for
providing an ambulance room and such ambulance room is in the charge of a qualified
nurse and the service of such ambulance room is available to building worker employed
at such construction site at every time when he is at work;

(b) in case more than five hundred building workers are employed at such construction
site there is an ambulance room with effective communication system and such
ambulance room is in the charge of a qualified nurse and the service of such ambulance
room is available to a building worker employed at such construction site at every time
when he is at work, and such ambulance room is in overall charge of a construction
medical officer;

(c) an ambulance room referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) is equipped with the articles
specified in Schedule IV, annexed to these rules;

(d) record of all cases of accidents and sickness treated at the ambulance room referred
to in clause (a) or clause (b) is maintained and produced to the inspector having
jurisdiction on demand.

227. Ambulance van

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that an ambulance van is provided at such construction site or an arrangement is made
with a nearby hospital for providing such ambulance van for transportation of serious
cases of accident or sickness of the building workers to the hospital promptly and such
ambulance van is maintained in good repair and is equipped with standard facilities
specified in Schedule V annexed to these rules.

228. Stretchers

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that sufficient number of stretchers is provided at such construction site so as to be
readily available in an emergency.

229. Occupational health services for the building workers

(1) The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction
work, where more than five hundred building workers are employed that--

(a) a special medical service or an occupational health service is available at such

construction site at all times and such service shall--

(i) provide first-aid and emergency treatment;

(ii) conduct special medical examination for occupational hazards to such building
workers before their employment and thereafter at such intervals as may be specified by
the Director General from time-to-time;

(iii) conduct training of first-aid personnel of such medical service;

(iv) render advice to such employer on conditions of work and improvement required to
avoid hazards to the health of such building worker;

(v) promote health education, including family welfare among such building workers;

(vi) cooperate with the Inspector having jurisdiction in the detection, measurement and
evaluation of chemical, physical or biological factors suspected of being harmful to such
building workers;

(vii) undertake immunisation for all such building workers against tetanus, typhoid,
cholera and other infectious diseases.

(b) the special medical service referred to in clause (a) collaborates with the labour
department or any other concerned department or service of the Government of India in
matters of treatment, job placement, accident prevention and welfare of such building
workers.

(c) the special medical service referred to in clause (a) is headed by a construction
medical officer and is provided with adequate staff, laboratory and other equipments.

(d) the premises of the special medical service referred to in clause (a) are conveniently
accessible, comprise at least a waiting room, a consulting room, a treatment room, a
laboratory and suitable accommodation for nurses and other staff of such service.

(e) the special medical service referred to in clause (a) maintains records pertaining to its
activities referred to in sub-clauses (i) to (vii) of clause (a) and sends to the Director
General, once in every three months, information in writing on--

(i) the state of health of such building workers; and

(ii) the nature and causes of occupational injuries or disease suffered by any of such
building workers, treatment provided to such worker and measures taken to prevent
recurrence of such injury or disease.

230. Notice of poisoning or occupational diseases

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) when a building worker contracts any disease specified in Schedule II annexed to
these rules, a notice in Form XIII annexed to these rules is sent without delay to the
Inspector, having jurisdiction, and to the Board with which such building worker is
registered as a beneficiary;

(b) if any medical practitioner or construction medical officer attends on a building worker
suffering from any disease referred to in clause (a), such medical practitioner or
construction medical officer sends information regarding the name and full particulars of
such building worker and the disease suffered by him, to the Director General without
delay.

231. First-aid boxes

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) sufficient number of first-aid boxes or cupboards are provided and maintained for
providing first-aid to the building workers;

(b) every first-aid box or cupboard is distinctly marked "First-Aid" and is equipped with
the articles specified in Schedule III annexed to these rules;

(c) nothing except appliances or requisites for first-aid is kept in a first-aid box or
cupboard and such box or cupboard is so kept as to protect it against contamination by
dust or other foreign matter and against penetration of moisture and such box or
cupboard is kept in the charge of a person trained in first-aid and is always readily
available during working hours.

232. Emergency care services or emergency treatment

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--
(a) essential life-saving aids and appliances required to handle--

(i) head injuries and spinal injuries;

(ii) bleeding;

(iii) fractures and dislocations of bones and joints;

(iv) crush injuries;

(v) shock, including electric shock;

(vi) dehydration due to any cause;

(vii) snake bite, insect bite, scorpion and bee stings;

(viii) burns, including chemical burn;

(ix) bends or divers paralysis;

(x) other surgical, gynaecological, obstetric, or paediatric emergencies;

(xi) drowning;

(xii) sunstroke and frost bite to building workers,

are provided and properly maintained under the supervision of a construction medical
officer.

(b) the essential life-saving aids for any emergent situation referred to in sub-clauses (i)
to (xii) of clause (a) are provided to an injured or a sick building worker during his
transportation from such building site to a hospital and till such building worker is
attended by a doctor in such hospital;

(c) any other equipment or facilities required for emergency care or treatment to the
building workers arising from special local conditions and construction processes at such
building site, as specified by the Central Government from time-to-time, are provided.
BOCW Rules 1998 #5
Demolition

108. Preparation

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that all glass or similar material or article in exterior openings are removed before
commencing any demolition work and all water, steam, electric, gas and other similar
supply lines are put-off and suitably capped and the concerned department of the
appropriate Government or local authority is informed and permission obtained wherever
required before commencing such demolition work and wherever it is necessary to
maintain water, gas or electric line or power during such demolition, such line shall be so
located or protected with substantial coverings so as to protect it from damage and to
afford safety to the building workers and the general public.

109. Protection of adjacent structures

The employer responsible for a demolition work at a construction site of a building or

other construction work shall, during demolition process of such demolition work,
examine the walls of all structures adjacent to the structure to be demolished to
determine the thickness, method of support to such adjacent structures and in case, such
employer has reason to believe that any of such adjacent structure is unsafe or may
become unsafe during such demolition process, he shall not perform demolition activity
affecting such unsafe adjacent structure unless and until remedial measures like sheet
piling, shoring, bracing, or similar other means so as to ensure safety and stability to such
unsafe adjacent structure from collapsing are taken.

110. Demolition of walls, partitions, etc.

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) any demolition of walls or partitions is proceeded in a systematic manner as per the
standard safe operating practices and all work above each tier of any floor beams is
completed before the safety of the supports of such beam is impaired;

(b) masonry is neither loosened nor permitted to fall in such masses or volume or weight
as to endanger the structural stability of any floor or structural support;

(c) no wall, chimney or other structure or part of a structure is left unguarded in such a
condition that it may fall, collapse or weaken due to wind pressure or vibration;

(d) in the case of demolition of exterior walls by hand, safe footing is provided for the
building workers employed for such demolition, in the form of sound flooring or scaffolds;

(e) walls or partitions which are to be demolished by hand are not left standing more
than one storey high above the uppermost floor on which persons are working.

111. Method of operation

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that debris, bricks and other materials or articles are removed--

(i) by means of chutes;

(ii) by means of buckets or hoists;

(iii) through openings in the floors; or

(iv) by any other safe means.

112. Access to floor

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that safe access to and egress from every building is provided at all times in the course of
demolition of such building by means of entrances, hallways, stairway or ladder runs
which are so protected as to safeguard the building workers using such means from
falling material or articles.

113. Demolition of structural steel

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--
(a) all steel structures are demolished column by column and tier by tier and every
structural member which is being demolished is not under any stress and such structural
member is suitably lashed to prevent it from any uncontrolled swinging or dropping or
falling;

(b) larger structural members are not thrown or dropped from the building but are
carefully lowered by adopting suitable safe method;

(c) were a lifting appliance like a derrick is used for demolition, the floor on which such
lifting appliance rests is completely planked over or supported and such floor is of
adequate strength to sustain bearing load for such lifting appliance and its operation.

114. Storage of material or article

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) all materials or articles are not stored or kept on platform, floor or stairways of a
building being demolished:

PROVIDED that this clause shall not apply to the floor of a building when such floor is of
such strength as to support safely the load to be superimposed by storing such materials
or articles;

(b) an access to any stairway or passageway is not affected or blocked by storing any
material or article;

(c) suitable barricades are provided so as to prevent materials or articles from sliding or
rebounding into any space used by the building workers.

115. Floor openings

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that every opening used for the removal of debris from every floor which is not closed to
access, except the top or working floor is provided with an enclosure from such floor to its
ceiling, or such opening is so barricaded that no building worker has access to within a
horizontal distance of six metres from such opening through which debris is being
dropped.
116. Inspection

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that a person responsible for demolition work makes continuous inspections during
demolition process of such demolition work so as to detect any hazard resulting from
weakened or deteriorated floors or walls or loosened materials or articles during such
demolition process and that no building worker is permitted to work where such hazard
exists unless remedial measures like shoring or bracing are taken to prevent such
hazards.

117. Warning signs, barricades, etc.

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) barricades and warning signs are erected along every side throughout the length and
breadth of a building or other construction work to be demolished to prevent
unauthorised persons from entering into the site of such building or other construction
work during demolition operations;

(b) during the demolition of an exterior masonry wall or a roof from a point more than
twelve metres above the adjoining ground level of such wall or roof, if persons below
such wall or roof are exposed to falling objects, suitable and safe catch platforms shall be
provided and maintained at a level not more than six metres below the working level
except where an exterior built-up scaffold is provided for safe and adequate protection of
such persons;

(c) suitable and standard warning signs in accordance with national standards are
displayed or erected at conspicuous places or position at the workplace.

118. Mechanical method of demolition

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that the following requirements are fulfilled in case the mechanical method of demolition
like use of swinging weight, clamshell bucket, power shovel, bulldozer or other similar
mechanical methods are used for the purpose of demolition, namely:

(a) that the building or structure or remaining portion thereof shall be not more than
twenty-four metres in height;
(b) that where a swinging weight is used for demolition, a zone of such demolition having
a radius of at least one and a half times the height of the structure or portion thereof
being so demolished shall be maintained around the points of impact of such swinging
weight;

(c) where a clamshell bucket is being used for demolition, a zone of demolition shall be
maintained within eight metres of the line of travel of such bucket;

(d) that where other mechanical methods are being used to affect total or partial collapse
of a building or other construction work, there shall be maintained, in the area into which
the affected portion of such building or other construction work may fall, a zone of
demolition at least one and a half times the height of such affected portion thereof; and

(e) no person other than building workers or other persons essential to the operation of
demolition work shall be permitted to enter a zone of demolition referred to in clause (a)
which shall be provided with substantial barricades.
BOCW Rules 1998 #6
EXCAVATION AND TUNNELLING WORKS

119. Notification of intention to carry out excavation and tunnelling work

(1) Every employer carrying out any excavation or tunnelling work at a construction site
of a building or other construction work shall, within thirty days, prior to the
commencement of such excavation or tunnelling work, inform in writing the detailed
layout plans, method of construction and schedule of such excavation or tunnelling work
to the Director General.

(2) In case compressed air is used in such excavation or tunnelling work or any work
incidental to or required for such excavation or tunnelling work, the technical details and
drawings of all man-locks and medical locks together with names and addresses of all
construction medical officers having qualification as laid down in Schedule XI annexed to
these rules and so appointed by such employer for the purpose of such excavation or
tunnelling work shall be sent to the Director General.

120. Project Engineer

(1) Every employer undertaking any excavation or tunnelling work shall appoint a project
engineer for safe operation of such projects of such excavation or tunnelling work for
which such engineer is appointed.

(2) Such project engineer shall exercise overall control of the operations and the activities
at such project and be responsible for carrying out the activities safely.

121. Responsible person

(1) Every employer undertaking excavation or tunnelling work at a construction site of

building or other construction work shall appoint a responsible person for safe operation
for such excavation or tunnelling work.

(2) Duties and responsibilities of the responsible person referred to in sub-rule (1) person
shall include--

(a) to carry out smoothly such excavation or tunnelling work;

(b) to inspect and rectify any hazardous situation relating to such excavation or tunnelling
work;
(c) to take remedial measures to avoid any unsafe practice or conditions relating to such
excavation or tunnelling work.

(3) The name and address of the responsible person referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be
forwarded to the Director General.

122. Warning signs and notices

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) suitable warning signs or notices, required for the safety of building workers carrying
out the work of an excavation or tunnelling, shall be displayed or erected at conspicuous
places in Hindi and in a language understood by the majority of such building workers at
such excavation or tunnelling work;

(b) such warning signs and notices with regard to compressed air working shall include--

(i) the danger involved in such compressed air work;

(ii) fire and explosion hazards;

(iii) the emergency procedures for rescue from such danger or hazards.

123. Register of employment etc.

(1) Every employer shall ensure that a construction site of a building or other construction
work where an excavation or tunnelling work is being carried on, a register of
employment of building workers carrying out such excavation or tunnelling work, is
maintained and produced on demand to the Inspector having jurisdiction.

(2) Periods of work of such excavation or tunnelling work, in which such building workers
are employed, shall be maintained in a register on day-to-day basis and such register
shall be produced on demand to the Inspector having jurisdiction.

124. Illumination

(1) The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction
work that all work places where excavation or tunnelling works are carried out shall be
adequately illuminated in accordance with the relevant national standards.

(2) Every employer carrying out excavation or tunnelling works at a construction site of a
building or other construction work shall provide for emergency generators on such
construction site to ensure adequate illumination at all work places where such
excavation or tunnelling work is being carried out, in case of power failure.

125. Stability of structure

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) where there is any doubt as to the stability of any structure adjoining the work-place
or other areas to be excavated or where tunnelling work is to be carried out, the project
engineer referred to in rule 120 arranges for measures like underpinning, sheet piling,
shoring, bracing or other similar means to support such structure and to prevent injury to
any building worker working adjacent to such structure or damage to property or
equipment adjacent to such structure;

(b) where any building worker engaged in excavation is exposed to hazard of falling or
sliding material or article from any bank or side of such excavation which is more than
one and a half metres above his footing, such worker is protected by adequate piling and
bracing against such bank or side;

(c) the excavation and its vicinity are checked by a responsible person referred to in rule
121 after every rain, storm or other occurrences carrying hazards and in case a hazard is
noticed at such checking, adequate protection against slides and cave-in to prevent such
hazard is provided;

(d) temporary sheet piling installed for the construction of a retaining wall after
excavation is not removed except on the advice of the responsible person referred to in
rule 121 after an inspection carried out by such responsible person;

(e) where banks of an excavation are undercut, adequate shoring is provided to support
the material or article overhanging such bank;

(f) excavated material is not stored at least zero point six five metre from the edge of an
open excavation or trench and the banks of such excavation or trench are stripped of
loose rocks and other materials which may slide, roll or fall upon a building worker
working below such bank;

(g) adequate and suitable warning signs are put up at conspicuous places at the
excavation work to avoid any person falling into the excavations or trenches;

126. Piling, shoring and bracing

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) plank used for sheet piling in excavation or tunnelling work is of sound material with
adequate strength;

(b) shores and braces used in excavation or tunnelling work are of adequate dimensions
and are so placed as to be effective for their intended purposes;

(c) earth supported shores or braces used in excavation or tunnelling work bear against a
footing of sufficient area and stability to prevent the shifting of such shores or braces.

127. Safe access

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that ladders, stair cases or ramps are provided, as the case may be, for safe access to
and egress from excavation where the depth of such excavation exceeds one point five
metres and such ladders, stair cases or ramps comply with the relevant national
standards.

128. Trenches

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that a trench or excavation is protected against falling of a person by suitable measures if
the depth of such trench or excavation exceeds one and a half metres and such
protection is an improved protection in accordance with the design and drawing of a
professional engineer, where such depth exceeds four metres.

129. Depth of trenches

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) where the depth of a trench requires two lengths of sheet piling, one above the other,
the lower piling is set inside the bottom strings or wales of the upper piling and such
sheet piling is driven down and braced as the excavation continues;

(b) all metal sheet piles used in excavation or a trench are welded end to end and
secured by other similar means.

130. Positioning and use of machinery

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that any machinery used in excavation and tunnelling work is positioned and operated in
such a way that such machinery does not endanger the operator of such machinery or
any other person in the vicinity.

131. Breathing apparatus

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) suitable breathing apparatus is provided to a building worker while working in

compressed air environment for his use at excavation or tunnelling work; and

(b) such breathing apparatus is maintained in good working condition at all times.

132. Safety measures for tunnelling operation

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) where there is a danger of falling or sliding of material from the roof face or wall of a
tunnel, adequate measures such as shoring, supporting by means of rock bolts, segments
or steel sets are taken for the safety of building workers;

(b) the excavated areas are made safe by use of suitably designed and installed steel
sets, rock bolts or similar other safe means;

(c) the responsible person referred to in rule 121 examines and inspects the workplaces
in a tunnel before the commencement of work in such tunnel, and at regular intervals
thereafter, to ensure safety of the building workers in such tunnel;

(d) the portal areas of a tunnel with loose soil, or rock, likely to cause injury to a person
are adequately protected with supports.

133. Pneumatic tools

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that supply lines to pneumatic tools used within a tunnel are fitted with watertrap or
safety chain or safety wire, as the case may be.

134. Shafts

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--
(a) surroundings of a shaft used in excavation or tunnel work are protected from being
washed away by construction of sufficient height;

(b) where a building worker is required to enter a shaft at an excavation or tunnelling

work, safe means of access is provided for such entry;

(c) every shaft at excavation or tunnelling work is provided with a steel casing, concrete
piping, timber shoring or other materials of adequate strength for the safety of building
workers working in such shaft;

(d) such casing and bracing are provided to a shaft at an excavation or tunnelling work up
to the depth of such shaft at an excavation or tunnelling

(e) a reinforced concrete raft and beam is provided around the opening of a shaft at an
excavation or tunnelling work if the ground surrounding such opening is unstable or
unsafe.

135. Lift for shaft

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that lift is provided for transport of building workers and materials or articles at an
excavation or tunnelling work required to descend more than fifty metres in a shaft.

136. Means of communication

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) reliable and effective means of communication such as telephone or walkie-talkie are
provided and are maintained in working order for arranging better and effective
communication at an excavation or tunnelling work at the following locations, namely:

(i) working chamber at the face of an excavation;

(ii) intervals of hundred metres along the tunnel;

(iii) working chamber side of a man lock near the door of such man lock;

(iv) interior of each chamber of a man lock;

(v) location conspicuous a lock attendant's station;

(vi) a compressor plant;

(vii) a first-aid station; and

(viii) outside the portal or the top of a shaft.

(b) such number of bells and whistles are made available at all times at the locations
referred to in sub-clause (i) to sub-clause (viii) of clause (a) as are necessary for the
safety of persons at such locations.

137. Signals

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that the standard audio or video signals are used in excavation or tunnelling work and are
conspicuously located or displayed near entrance to the workplace and in such other
locations as may be necessary to bring such signals to notice of all building workers
employed in such excavation or tunnelling work.

138. Clearances

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) the minimum lateral clearance of half a metre is maintained between any part of a
vehicle and any fixture or any equipment used in an excavation or tunnelling work after
allowing the throw or swing of such fixture or equipment;

(b) the overhead clearance for a locomotive drive at excavation or tunnelling work is not
less than one point one zero metres above the seat of such driver and not less than two
metres above the platform where such driver stands or of any other dimension in
accordance with the relevant national standard.

139. Shelters

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that the adequate number of shelters for the safeguard of the building workers are
provided where, in the course of working, they are liable to be struck by a moving vehicle
or other material handling equipment in a tunnel.

140. Use of internal combustion engine

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that no internal combustion engine is used underground in excavation or tunnelling work
unless such engine is so constructed that--
(a) the air entering the engine gets cleared before entry; and

(b) no fumes or sparks are emitted by the engine.

141. Inflammable oils

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that inflammable oils with the flash point below the working temperature that is likely to
be encountered in a tunnel are not used in excavation or tunnelling work.

142. Coupling and hoses

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that only high pressure hydraulic hoses and couplings are used on hydraulic plants
underground and such hoses and couplings are adequately protected against any possible
damage in excavation or tunnelling work.

143. Hose installation

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that all hydraulic lines and plants working at a temperature exceeding seventy degree
centigrade are protected by adequate insulation or otherwise against accidental human
contact in excavation or tunnelling work.

144. Fire resistant hoses

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that no fire hydraulic hoses other than fire resistant hydraulic hoses are used when
hydraulically activated machinery and equipment is employed in tunnels.

145. Flame proof equipment

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that only flame proof equipment of appropriate type as per relevant national standards is
used where there is a danger of flammable or explosive atmosphere being prevalent
inside the tunnel.

146. Storing of oil and fuel underground

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--
(a) all oils, greases or fuels stored underground in excavation or tunnelling work are kept
in tightly sealed containers and in fire resistant areas at safe distances away from
explosive and other flammable chemicals;

(b) appropriate flame proof installation is used in such storage areas as specified in
clause (a).

147. Use of gases underground

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) petrol or liquefied petroleum gas or any other flammable substances are not used,
stored inside the tunnel except with the prior approval of the project engineer under rule
120;

(b) after the use of the petroleum or liquefied petroleum gas, or highly inflammable
substances referred to in clause (a), all remaining petroleum or liquefied petroleum gas
or highly inflammable substances are removed immediately from such tunnel;

(c) no oxy-acetelene gas is used in a compressed air environment in excavation or

tunnelling work.

148. Water for fire-fighting

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) adequate number of water outlets are provided on excavation or tunnelling work and
are readily made accessible throughout the tunnel for fire-fighting purposes and such
water outlets are maintained for effective fire-fighing;

(b) all air locks are equipped with fire-fighting facilities at excavation or tunnelling work;

(c) an audible fire alarm is provided to warn the building workers whenever a fire breaks
out on an excavation or tunnelling work;

(d) adequate number and types of fire extinguishers, in accordance with relevant national
standards, are provided and made readily available to fight any outbreak of fire at an
excavation or tunnelling work;

(e) fire extinguishers with vapourising liquids and high pressure carbon dioxide are not
used in tunnels or other confined spaces;
(f) the instructions regarding steps to be followed to fight outbreak of fire, at an
excavation or tunnelling work, written in Hindi or local language understood by the
majority of the building workers employed on such excavation or tunnelling work, are
displayed at conspicuous and vulnerable places of such excavation or tunnelling work.

149. Flooding

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) watertight bulkhead doors are installed at the entrance of a tunnel to prevent flooding
during a tunnelling work where more than one tunnel is driven from a shaft;

(b) all necessary measures are taken to ensure that no building worker is trapped in any
isolated section of a tunnel when any bulkhead door of such tunnel is closed;

(c) where there is likelihood of flooding or water rushing into a tunnel during a tunnelling
work, arrangements are made for immediate starting of water pumps to take out water
of such flooding or water rushing and for giving alert signals to the building workers and
other persons to keep them away from danger.

150. Steel curtains

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that air tight steel curtains are provided in areas liable to flooding at tunnelling work and
in case of descending tunnel such curtains are provided in the top half of such tunnels to
ensure the retention of pockets of air for rescue purpose.

151. Rest shelters

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) where building workers, employed in a compressed air environment in a tunnelling

work are required to remain at the work site for one hour or more after decompression
from pressure exceeding one bar, adequate and suitable facilities are provided for such
building workers to rest;

(b) every man-lock, medical lock and any other facility inside these locks at an excavation
a tunnelling work is maintained in a clean state and in good repairs;

(c) a first-aid room is provided and is readily available at a construction site of a

tunnelling work;

(d) each man-lock attendant station is provided with a first-aid box at a construction site
of a tunnelling work.

152. Permissible limit of exposure of chemicals

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) the working environment in a tunnel or a shaft in which building workers are
employed does not contain any of the hazardous substances in concentrations beyond the
permissible limits as laid down in the Schedule XII annexed to these rules;

(b) the responsible person referred to in rule 121 conducts necessary test before the
commencement of a tunnelling work for the day and at suitable intervals as fixed by the
Director General to ensure that the permissible limits of exposure are not exceeded and a
record of such test is maintained and is made available for inspection to the Inspector
having jurisdiction, on demand.

153. Ventilation

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that all work areas in a free air tunnel are provided with ventilation system as approved
by the Director General and the fresh air supplied in such tunnel is not less than six cubic
metres per minute for each building worker employed underground in such tunnel and the
free air-flow movement inside such tunnel is not less than nine metres per minute.

154. Air supply intake point

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that the air intake points for all air compressors are located at places where such intake
air does not get contaminated with dust, fumes, vapour and exhaust gases or other
contaminants.

155. Emergency generators

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) every compressed air system in a tunnel is provided with emergency power supply
system for maintaining continued supply of compressed air in such compressed air system
and is capable of operating air compressor and ancillary systems of such compressed air
system;

(b) the emergency power supply system is maintained and is readily available at all times
at an excavation or tunnelling work.

156. Air mains

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that every air main supplying air to the working chamber, man-lock or medical-lock used
at an excavation or tunnelling work is protected against accidental damage and where it
is not practicable to provide such protection, a stand-by air main is provided.

157. Bulk head and air-locks

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) a bulk head or air tight diaphragms retaining compressed air, when used within a
tunnel or a shaft, is constructed to withstand the maximum pressure at one point two five
times the maximum working pressure of such bulk head or diaphragm and such bulk head
or diaphragm is tested before its each use by a responsible person referred to in rule 121
to ensure that such bulk head or diaphragm is in proper working order;

(b) such responsible person keeps the record of each test referred to in clause (a) and
such record is produced for inspection to the Inspector having jurisdiction on demand;

(c) the bulk head or diaphragm referred to in clause (a) are made of sound material of
adequate strength and are able to withstand to maximum pressure on which they are
subjected to at any time of their use;

(d) a bulk had anchorage and air lock is tested at its workplace at an excavation or
tunnelling work immediately after their installation at such place.

158. Diaphragms

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that all diaphragms which are in the form of horizontal decks across a shaft used at
excavation or tunnelling work are securely anchored.

159. Portable electrical hand tools

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that all portable electrical hand tools and inspection lamps used underground or in a
confined space at an excavation or tunnelling work are operated at a voltage not
exceeding twenty-four volts.

160. Circuit breaker

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) adequate numbers of differential ground fault circuit breakers are installed for every
electrical distribution system and its sub-systems used at an excavation or tunnelling
work and the sensitivity of each of circuit breaker is adjusted in accordance with the
requirement set out in accordance with the relevant national standards;

(b) no semi-enclosed fuse unit is used in underground place at an excavation or

tunnelling work.

161. Transformer

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that no transformer is used in any section of a tunnel under compressed air unless such
transformer is of the dry type and conforms to the relevant national standards.

162. Live wires

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that there is no exposed live wire in working areas at an excavation or tunnelling work
which are accessible to building workers other than those authorised to work on such live
lines.

163. Welding sets

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that all welding sets used in a tunnel are of adequate capacity and of suitable type
approved by Director General.

164. Quality and quantity of air

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) every working chamber at an excavation or tunnelling work where compressed air is
used, the supply of such air is maintained not less than zero point three cubic metres per
minute per person working therein;
(b) a reserve supply of compressed air is made available at all times for man-locks and
medical locks used at a tunnelling work;

(c) the air supplied in a compressed air environment at a tunnelling work is as far as
practicable free from odour and other contaminants, namely, dust, fumes and other toxic
substances.

165. Working temperature

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that the temperature in any working chamber at an excavation or tunnelling work where
building workers are employed does not exceed twenty-nine degree centigrade and that
the arrangement is maintained for keeping records in which the temperatures measured
by dry bulb and wet bulb inside such working chamber once in every hour and to produce
such records for inspection on demand to the Inspector having jurisdiction.

166. Man-locks and working in compressed air environment

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) man-locks used at a tunnelling work are of adequate strength, made of sound
material and designed to withstand any air pressure, internal or external, to which it may
be subjected to in the normal use or in an emergency;

(b) (i) doors of man-locks at an excavation or tunnelling work are made of steel;

(ii) man-locks used at a tunnelling work are airtight and devices are provided for sealing
the doors when such locks are under pressure;

(iii) the anchorage of a man-lock used at tunnelling work have adequate strength to
withstand the pressure exerted by air on the man-lock;

(iv) there is adequate room available for the building worker for working in the man-lock
used at tunnelling work;

(v) where work is carried out in any compressed air tunnel, a man-lock in accordance with
the relevant national standards is used for such tunnel;

(c) (i) where a man-lock is used at tunnelling work, safety instructions in Hindi and in
local language understood by majority of building workers employed therein are displaced
at conspicuous place at such tunnelling work;
(ii) except in an emergency, compression and decompression operations are carried out
in a man-lock used at tunnelling work;

(iii) in an emergency any material lock may be used at tunnelling work for compression
and decompression of building worker and a record is kept in writing and produced for
inspection on demand to the Inspector having jurisdiction;

(iv) material-lock is used with the permission of Director General for compression and
decompression of building workers, where it is impracticable to install both the man-lock
and the material-lock at a tunnelling work;

(v) decompression of all building workers to atmospheric condition at tunnelling work is

carried out in accordance with a decompression procedure approved by the Director
General;

(vi) the man-lock at tunnelling work is not used for any purpose other than compression
or decompression of building workers;

(vii) no decanting of building workers at tunnelling work is carried out without prior
approval of Director General, except in an emergency;

(viii) in case a building worker collapses or is taken in during his decompression in a man-
lock used at tunnelling work, the lock attendant of such man-lock raises the pressure in
such man-lock until such pressure is equal to the maximum pressure which that building
worker was exposes to in the working chamber prior to such decompression and such lock
attendant immediately reports the matter relating to such collapse to the medical lock
attendant and medical officer on duty at such tunnelling work;

(ix) a building worker who had previously received training with a trained building worker
to work in a compressed air environment at tunnelling work is employed to work
independently in such a compressed air environment;

(x) a building worker who had undergone three decompressions from a pressure
exceeding one bar in a period of eight hours at tunnelling work is not allowed to enter a
compressed air environment except for the purpose of carrying out rescue work;

(xi) a building worker employed in a compressed air environment for a period of eight
hours in a day at tunnelling work is not employed again in such environment unless he
has spent not less than twelve consecutive hours of rest at atmospheric pressure;

(xii) no building worker is engaged in a compressed air environment at a pressure which

exceeds three bars at tunnelling work unless prior permission, in writing, has been
obtained from the Director General for such engagement;

(xiii) no building worker is employed in a compressed air environment for more than
fourteen consecutive days in a month at tunnelling work;

(xiv) a register of employment of all building workers employed in compressed air

environment at tunnelling work, is maintained;

(xv) an identification badge is supplied to a building worker employed in compressed air

environment at tunnelling work;

(xvi) the badge of a building worker referred to in sub-clause (xv) contains particulars of
his name, location of the medical lock allotted to him for work, the telephone number of
the Construction Medical Officer concerned for his treatment and the instructions in case
of his illness of unknown and doubtful causes;

(xvii) record of all identification badges supplied to building workers under sub-clause
(xvi), is kept in a register;

(xviii) every building worker whose name appears in the register referred to in sub-clause
(xvii) wears the badge supplied to him under sub-clause (xv) at all times during his duty
hours at tunnelling work;

(xix) suitable warning signs are displayed, in the compressed air environment at
tunnelling work, for the prohibition of following, namely:

(a) use of alcoholic drinks;

(b) use and carrying of lighters, matches or other sources of ignition;

(c) smoking; and

(d) an entry to person who has consumed alcoholic drinks.

167. Safety instruction

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that all building workers employed in compressed air environment at tunnelling work
follow the instructions issued for their safety in the course of such employment.

168. Medical lock

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) a suitably constructed medical lock is maintained at tunnelling work where building
workers are employed in a working chamber at a pressure exceeding one bar;

(b) where more than one hundred building workers are employed in a compressed air
working environment exceeding one bar at tunnelling work, one medical lock is provided
for every one hundred building workers or part thereof and such medical lock is situated
as near as possible to the main lock used at such tunnelling work.
BOCW Rules 1998 #7
SAFETY ORGANISATION

208. Safety Committees

(1) Every establishment wherein five hundred or more building workers are ordinarily
employed, there shall be a Safety Committee constituted by the employer which shall be
represented by equal number of representatives of employer and building workers
employed in such establishment. In no case the number of representatives of the
employer shall exceed the representatives of building workers. The Committee shall be
represented by representatives of the recognised unions wherever such unions wherever
such unions exist.

(2) The main functions of the Safety Committee shall be--

(a) to identify probable causes of accident and unsafe practices in building or other
construction work and to suggest remedial measures;

(b) to stimulate interest of employer and building workers in safety by organising safety
weeks, safety competition, talks and film shows on safety, preparing posters or taking
similar other measures as and when required or as necessary;

(c) to go round the construction site with a view to check unsafe practices and detect
unsafe conditions and to recommend remedial measures for their rectification including
First Aid Medical and Welfare Facilities;

(d) to look into the health hazards associated with handling different types of explosives,
chemicals and other construction material and to suggest remedial measures including
use of proper personal protective equipment;

(e) to suggest measures for improving welfare amenities in the construction site and
other miscellaneous aspects of safety, health and welfare in building or other construction
work;

(f) to bring to the notice of the employer the hazards associated with use, handling and
maintenance of the equipment used during the course of building and other construction
work.

(3) The safety committee shall meet at regular intervals at least once in a month and it
shall be chaired by the senior person having overall control over the affairs of the
construction site.
(4) The agenda and minutes of the meeting shall be circulated to all concerned and it
shall be in the language understood by majority of the building workers and shall be
produced to the Inspector on demand for inspection.

(5) The decisions and recommendations of the safety committee shall be complied with
by the employer within reasonable time limits.

209. Safety officer

(1) In every establishment wherein five hundred or more building workers are ordinarily
employed, the employer shall appoint safety officers as per the scale laid down in
Schedule VIII annexed to these rules. Such safety officers may be assisted by suitable
and adequate staff.

(2) Duties, qualifications and the condition of service of safety officers appointed under
sub-rule (1) shall be as provided in Schedule VIII annexed to these rules.

(3) Wherever number of workers employed by single employer is less than five hundred,
such employers may form a group and appoint a common safety officer for such group of
employers with prior permission of Director General.

210. Reporting of accidents

(1) Notice of any accident on the construction site which either--

(a) causes loss of life; or

(b) disables a building worker from working for a period of forty-eight hours or more
immediately following the accident, shall forthwith be sent by telegram, telephone, fax or
similar other means including special messenger within four hours in case of fatal
accidents and seventy-two hours, in case of other accidents involving building worker, to--

(i) the Regional Labour Commissioner (Central), having jurisdiction in the area in which
the establishment in which such accident or dangerous occurrence took place is located.
Such Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) shall be the authority appointed under
section 39 of the Act;

(ii) Board with which the building worker involved in accident was registered as a
beneficiary;

(iii) Director General; and

(iv) The next of kin or other relative of building worker involved in accident.

(2) Notice of any accident at a construction site of a building or other construction work
which--

(a) causes loss of life; or

(b) disables such building worker from work for more than ten days following the
accident, shall also be sent to--

(i) the officer incharge of the nearest police station;

(ii) the District Magistrate or if the District Magistrate by order so desires to the Sub-
Divisional Magistrate.

(3) In the case of an accident falling under clause (b) of sub-rule (2), the injured building
worker shall be given first-aid and immediately thereafter be transferred to a hospital or
other place for medical treatment.

(4) Where any accident causing disablement subsequently results in death of a building
worker, notice in writing of such death shall be communicated to the authorities as
mentioned in sub-rule (1) and sub-rule (2) within seventy-two hours of such death.

(5) The following classes of dangerous occurrences shall be reported to the Inspector
having jurisdiction, whether or not any death or disablement is caused to a building
worker, in the manner prescribed in sub-rule (1), namely:

(a) collapse or failure of lifting appliances or hoist or conveyors or other similar

equipment for handling building or construction material or breakage or failure of rope,
chain or loose gears; overturning of cranes used in building or other construction work;
falling of objects from height;

(b) collapse or subsidence of soil, any wall, floor, gallery, roof or any other part of any
structure, platform, staging, scaffolding or any means of access including formwork;

(c) contract work, excavation, collapse of transmission;

(d) explosion of receiver or vessel used for storage, at a pressure greater than
atmospheric pressure, of any gas or gases or any liquid or solid used as building material;

(e) fire and explosion causing damage to any place on construction site where building
workers are employed;
(f) spillage or leakage of hazardous substances and damage to their container;

(g) collapse, capsizing, toppling or collision of transport equipment;

(h) leakage or release of harmful toxic gases at the construction site.

(6) In case of failure of a lifting appliance, loose gear, hoist or building and other
construction work machinery and transport equipment at a construction site of a building
or other construction work, such appliances, gear, hoist, machinery or equipment and the
site of such occurrence shall, as far as practicable, be kept undisturbed until inspected by
the inspector having jurisdiction.

(7) Every notice given under sub-rule (1), sub-rule (2) or sub-rule (4) shall be followed by
a written report to the Inspector, authority under section 39 of the Act, the Board and the
Director General in Form XIV under proper acknowledgment.

211. Procedure for enquiry into causes of accident or dangerous occurrence

(1) The enquiry under sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) of section 39 of the Act, as the
case may be, shall be conducted by the authority referred to in sub-clause (i) of clause
(b) of sub-rule (1) of rule 210, in the following manner, namely:

(a) the enquiry shall be commenced as early as it may be, and in any case, within fifteen
days of the receipt of notice of accident or dangerous occurrence under rule 210;

(b) the enquiry may be conducted by the authority referred to in sub-clause (i) of clause
(b) of sub-rule (1) of rule 210 himself or by an enquiry officer appointed by such
authority;

(c) the authority or enquiry officer, as the case may be, shall serve or cause to be served,
notices in writing, informing the date, time and place of such enquiry to all persons
entitled to appear in such enquiry and whose names and addresses are known to such
authority or enquiry officer;

(d) notwithstanding the provision of clause (b), for the purpose of notifying other persons
who may in any way be concerned or be interested in such enquiry, the authority or
enquiry officer, as the case may be, may publish notice of such enquiry in one or more
local newspapers, informing the date, time and place of such enquiry.

(2) The person entitled to appear at the enquiry may include--

(a) an inspector or any officer of the Central Government or the State Government or an
undertaking or public body, concerned with the enforcement or compliance of safety
provisions of the Act and the rules in the concerned establishment;

(b) a trade union or a workers' association or an employers' association;

(c) the worker involved in the accident or his legal heir or authorised representative;

(d) the owner of the premises in which the accident took place;

(e) any other person, at the discretion of the authority or the enquiring officer, as the
case may be, who may be interested in or be concerned with the cause of an accident or
may have knowledge about such cause or is likely to give material evidence or produce a
relevant document in connection with such accident or dangerous occurrence.

(3) In case the entitled person referred to in sub-rule (2) is a body corporate, a company,
or any other organisation, association, group of persons such group may be represented
through an authorised representative including a counsel or a solicitor.

(4) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (5), the enquiry shall be held in public.

(5) In cases where--

(a) the Central Government is of the opinion that the matter of the enquiry or any part of
it are of such nature that it would be against the interests of national security or any part
of it are of such nature that it would be against the interests of national security to hold
the enquiry in public and directs the said authority or the enquiry officer, as the case may
be, to hold the enquiry in camera; or

(b) on an application made by any party to the enquiry, the authority or the enquiry
officer, as the case may be, referred to in sub-rule (1), if it or he is of the opinion that the
holding of public enquiry will lead to disclosure of information relating to a trade secret,
decides to hold the enquiry of such part of it in camera, such enquiry shall not be held in
public.

(6) Information disclosed by any person during the course of hearing or evidence in the
cases covered under sub-rule (5) shall not be disclosed to any person except for the
purpose of the enquiry.

(7) The person entitled to appear under sub-rule (2), called for evidence or representing
in an enquiry shall be entitled to make an opening statement, give evidence, request the
enquiry officer to call for specified document or evidence, cross-examine other persons or
to the extent and at the stage permitted by the authority or enquiry officer holding the
enquiry.
(8) Any evidence in an enquiry may be admitted at the discretion of the authority or
enquiry officer during the enquiry, who may, also direct that documents to be tendered
in evidence may be inspected by any person entitled or permitted to appear at such
enquiry and that facilities be afforded to such person to take or obtain copies thereof.

(9) The authority or the enquiry officer holding an enquiry may authorise any person,
being an officer of the Central Government, to assist such authority or enquiry officer
where necessary, for the purpose of conducting the enquiry, and the officer so authorised
may enter the premises of the concerned establishment during working hours, inspect the
records relevant to such enquiry, investigate and take such evidence as may be required
to conduct such enquiry.

(10) The findings of the enquiry along with all evidence, in original, including statements
of witnesses shall be forwarded to the authority specified under section 39 of the Act
within five days of the completion of the enquiry in cases where sub-enquiry was not
conducted by such authority itself.

(11) A copy of the findings along with a brief statement of facts relating to an enquiry
conducted under this rule shall be forwarded to the Director General and the Central
Government by the authority referred to in sub-rule (1) of rule 210.
BOCW Rules 1998 #8
STRUCTURAL FRAME AND FRAMEWORK

181. General provision

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) the trained building worker under the direct supervision of a person, responsible for
structural frame and framework, are employed for erection of such structural frame or
framework, dismantling of building and structure and performance of an engineering
work, framework, false work and shoring work;

(b) adequate measures are taken to guard against hazards arising from any temporary
state of weakness or unsuitability of a structure.

182. Formwork, false work and shoring

The employer shall ensure at a construction work that--

(a) formwork and false work are so designed, constructed and maintained that such
formwork and false work support the load that may be imposed on them;

(b) such form work is so erected that working platform, means of access, bracing, means
of handling and stabilising could easily be fixed with such formwork.

183. Erection or dismantling of steel and prefabricated structure

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) the safety of building workers employed for the erection or dismantling of steel
structures and prefabricated structures is ensured from danger by using appropriate
means such as the following, namely:

(i) ladder, gangways or fixed platforms;

(ii) platforms, buckets, boatswain's chair or other appropriate means suspended from
lifting appliances;

(iii) safety harness, lifelines, catch net or catch platform;

(iv) power-operated mobile working platforms.

(b) the work of erection or dismantling of buildings or structures or formwork or false

work or shoring or any other civil engineering work is carried out by trained building
workers under the supervision of a person responsible for such work;

(c) steel or prefabricated structures are so designed and made that such structures can
be safely transported or erected; and weight of each unit of such structures is clearly
marked on such unit;

(d) the design of each such part maintains stability of each part of the structures referred
to in clause (a), clause (b) and clause (c), when erected, and to prevent danger, the
design shall explicitly take into account--

(i) the relevant conditions and methods of attachment in the operations of stripping,
transport, storing and temporary support during erection of such part; and

(ii) safeguards, such as provision of railings with working platforms, and for mounting
such railings and platforms easily on the structural steel or prefabricated parts;

(e) the hooks and other devices built in or provided on the structural steel or
prefabricated parts that are required for lifting and transporting such parts are so shaped,
dimensioned and positioned to withstand the stresses to which such hooks or other
devices are subjected;

(f) prefabricated parts made of concrete are not stripped or erected before such concrete
has set and hardened sufficiently to the extent provided for in the plans, and such parts
are examined by the responsible person for any sign of damage before their use;

(g) store places are so constructed that--

(i) there is no risk of structural steel or prefabricated parts falling or overturning;

(ii) storage conditions generally ensue stability and avoid damage having regard to the
method of storage and atmospheric conditions; and

(iii) racks are set on firm ground and designed so that units cannot move accidentally in
such store places;

(h) structural steel or prefabricated parts are not subjected to stresses prejudicial to their
stability while they are stored or transported or raised or set down;
(i) tongs, clamps and other appliances for lifting structural steel and prefabricated parts
are--

(a) in such shape and dimensions as to ensure a secure grip without damaging such
parts; and

(b) marked with the maximum permissible load in the most unfavourable lifting
conditions;

(j) structural steel or prefabricated parts are lifted by such methods and appliances that
prevent them from spinning accidentally;

(k) structural steel or prefabricated parts are provided with railings and working platforms
before raising such parts to prevent any danger of falling of building workers, materials or
articles at the time of any work with such parts;

(l) all reasonably practical measures are taken to avoid injury to building workers,
building structure or equipment while structural steel or prefabricated parts are handled
or stored or transported or raised or lowered;

(m) structures are not worked on during violent storms or high winds or any other such
hazardous situation;

(n) the risk of falling to which building workers, moving on high or sloping girders, may be
exposed is limited by all means of adequate collective protection or by the use of a safety
harness which is well secured to a sufficiently strong support;

(o) structural steel parts which are to be erected at a great height are, as far as
practicable, assembled on the ground;

(p) when structural steel or prefabricated parts are being erected, a sufficiently extended
area underneath the work place shall be barricaded or guarded;

(q) steel trusses which are being erected are adequately shored, braced or guyed until
they are permanently secured in position;

(r) structural members are not forced into place by the hoisting machine while any
building worker is in such a position that he is likely to be injured by such operation.

184. Form work

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--
(a) all form works are properly designed keeping in view the safety of building workers,
building or structures;

(b) a responsible person for structural frame and form work--

(i) inspects and examines the material, timber, structural steel and scaffolding for its
strength and suitability before being taken into use;

(ii) lays down procedures to cover all stages of such structural frame and form work;

(iii) supervises such structural frame and form work;

(iv) take all necessary steps or measures to correct any situation with a view to prevent
accident or dangerous occurrence during performances of such structural frame and form
work.

185. Deshoring

The employer shall ensure at a construction site of a building or other construction work
that--

(a) when shoring is removed, sufficient props are left in place of such shoring to prevent
any possible hazard; and

(b) deshoring is adequately braced or tied together with support to prevent any hazard.
Factories Act 1948
Act no. 63 of 1948
23rd September 1948, enacted.
11 chapters and 120 acts and 3 schedules
2(ca) : competent person
2(cb) : hazardous processes
2(k) : manufacturing process
2(l) : workers
2(m) : factory
10 or more workers, when power is used.
20 or more workers, when power is not used
2(n) : the person who has ultimate control over the affairs related to the factory.
7(A) : General duties of the occupier
7(A)(3) : safety policy
8 : factory inspector
16 : Overcrowding
9.9 m³ for each person before the commencement of this act
14.2 m³ for each person after.
18 : Drinking water
Cool drinking water source in case more than 250 workers are employed
11 : cleanliness
12 : Extraction of waste
13 : Ventilation and temperature
14 : Dust and fumes
15 : Artificial humidification
17 : lighting
19 : latrines and urinals
20 : spittoons
21 : fencing of machinery
22 : Working on machinery in motion
23 : employment of young persons on dangerous machinery
24 : striking gears and power cut off devices
25 : self acting machinery
Forty five metre distance from any fixed structure
26 : Encasing of the new machinery
28 : Hoists and lifts
Every six month inspection by co Competent person
At least two ropes and slings for lifting any device or material
Interlocking system should be installed on the hoist and lifts meant to carry
persons
Safe working load should be clearly marked
28: Lifting machines, ropes,chains,slings
Every twelve month inspection
SWL marked clearly
A crane should not come within 6 metre of the working place.
30: Revolving machinery
Maximum speed should be marked.
34 : Excessive weights
35: protection of eyes
36: precaution against dangerous fumes and gases
36A: portable electric light
Not more than twenty four volts.
37 : explosive or inflammable dusts
38: precautions in case of fire
40B : safety officer
Wherein 1000 or more workers are employed
41B(3): Onsite emergency plans for industries where hazardous process are involved
41(G) : Safety committee
45: first aid appliances
One first aid box for 150 workers
Ambulance room in case no. Of workers exceeds 500.
46: canteens should be provided in case more than 250 workers are working
49: welfare officers shall be appointed where more than 500 workers are employed
88: Notice of accident
Any accident which incapacitates a worker for more than 48 hours
88A: Notice of dangerous occurrences
89: notice of certain diseases
87A : prohibition on further employment on account if serious hazards at workplaces
by factory inspector
90: power to start enquiry to state government
41D : power to central government to start enquiry
111: Obligations of the workers
111A: Right of the workers
Schedule 1 - list of hazardous processes
Schedule 2 - list of permissible exposure limits
Schedule 3 - list of occupational diseases
Gas cylinder rules 1981
Compressed gas means any permanent gas or gas dissolved in liquid under pressure
or liquifieable gas or gas mixture which in a total closed gas cylinder exerts a
pressure exceeding 2.5 kgf/ cm2 at 15 'C or 3.5 kgf/cm2 at 50 'C (absolute).
Acetone impregnated porous mass is used to dissolve acetylene.
Ammonia is dissolved in water
Flammable gas means any gas whose mixture of 13 % or less by volume with air
forms a flammable mixture regardless of the lower limit or whose flammable range is
greater than 12% with air.
Liquefiable gas means any gas that may be liquefied by pressure at -10 'C but will
completely vaporized when in equilibrium with normal atmospheric pressure of
760mm of Hg at 17.5 'C which could be increased to 30 'C in case of toxic gas
Toxic gas is a gas which has maximum allowable concentration in air for human
respiration not exceeding 100 mg/m3 at 15 'C.
Under these rules no license is required when
total quantity of LPG doesn't exceed 100 kg
Flammable but non-toxic if total gas cylinders are 25 or the total weight is 200
kg whichever is less
non flammable non toxic gas when the total no of cylinder does not exceed 200
toxic gas cylinders not exceeding 5 cylinders at a time
Acetylene gas cylinders if the total no. does not exceed 50 at a time
9 chapters, 73 sections, 6 schedules
INDIAN ELECTRICITY RULES 1953
Intrinsically safe means any sparking that may occur in normal working condition
is incapable of causing explosion of inflammable gases or vapour.
Lightening arrestor means any device which safely discharges electrical discharges
without affecting the normal working of the instrument
As per indian electricity rules,
low voltage = < 250 volts
medium voltage = <650 volts
high voltage = < 33,000 volts
extra high voltage = >33,000 volts
Rule 3(b) : Any registered factory having more than 250 kw of electrical load, there
shall be a person authorised by the management for ensuring the observance of the
safety provisions laid under this act
There are total 11 chapters and 143 rules.
Rule 33 : Earthed terminal should be provided at consumer terminal by the supplier,
as well as a separate earth electrode shall be managed by the consumer itself in the
premise.
Rule 35 : Danger notices shall be pasted near every electrical installation wher high
voltage is used.
Rule 43 : provision of the first aid boxes, Fire extinguishers, fire buckets. All the fire
extinguishers shall be duly tested at least once in a year.
Rule 41 : Identification of different circuits
Rule 42 : Protection against accidental charging of the equipments.
Rule 44 : Instructions for restoration of the persons suffering from electric shock
Rule 44A : Intimation of accident
Inform about the accident within 24 hours
Give detailed preliminary report about the accident in prescribed form within 48
hours
Rule 48: Insulation resistance
High voltage installation - 1000 volt for 1 min, Insulation resistance of
1 mega ohm.
Low and Medium voltage installation - 500 volt for 1 min, Insulation
resistance of 1 mega ohm.
Rule 57: Meters and maximum demand at consumer premises.
Rule 61: connection with earth for low and medium voltage installations
Every earthing connection shall be tested once in every two year on dry day
during dry season
Clearance above ground
across the street
for LV and MV = 5.8 mts
for HV = 6.1 mts
 Along the street
for LV and MV = 5.5 mts
for HV = 5.8 mts
Clearance from the buildings
for LV and MV
Vertical clearance above the building = 2.5 mts
Horizontal clearance from the building = 1.2 mts
for HV
3.7 mts above the building
2.2 mts from the building
Rule 90 : Stay wires and cradle guards
Rule 92 : Lightning arrestor
Ground and insulation resistance measurement
Workmen compensation act 1923
Accident : An unintended occurrence arising out of and in the course of employment of a
person resulting in injury.

Partial disablement

Temporary - which reduces the earning capacity of the person in any

employment in which he was engaged during the time of accident.
Permanent - which reduces the earning capacity of the person in every
employment that the worker was capable of undertaking at the time of accident.

Total disablement : Disablement of either permanent or temporary nature which

incapacitates a workmen for all the work which he was capable of performing at the time
of accident.

Compensation

1. Death = 50% of the monthly wage multiplied by relevant factor or an

amount of 1,20,000 whichever is higher.
2. Permanent total disablement = 60% of the monthly wage multiplied by
relevant factor or an amount of 1,40,000 whichever is higher
3. Permanent partial disablement = percentage of the loss of the earning
capacity as per schedule 1 part B of act multiplied by compensation
amount of Permanent total disablement. In case of multiple injuries the
total compensation amount should not exceed the compensation amount of
Permanent total disablement
4. Temporary disablement:

Half monthly salary of the amount equal to 25% of the total monthly
wage.
If disablement lasts for more than 28 days then should be paid from
the day of disablement
If disablement ends before 28 days then should be paid after the 3
days waiting period.
The maximum wage limit for calculating compensation is fixed at 8000 Rs
pm.

Rates :

1. Frequency rate :
2. Severity rate
3. Incident rate
Safety #1
Risk management stands for a formal system for identifying, anticipating , evaluating
and controlling the threats recording the process for future reference and monitoring the
result of the control.
It has following steps

1. Identification
2. Evaluation
3. Control

By removal
By retention
By assuming the risk
By transferring the risk

4. Monitor

5. Review

Risk measurement

Risk = (probability × severity )/ Frequency

Job safety analysis

1. Select the job

2. Divide the job into successive steps
3. Identify the hazards in each step
4. Develop ways to eliminate the hazards and prevent the accident
potential.

Incident recall technique

1. Put the employee at ease

2. Give them assurance that IRT is totally confidential
3. Explain the purpose of the interview and the IRT.
4. Point out the benefits if IRT
5. Show and explain the report form to him
6. Conduct the interview. Simply ask him to recall each near miss accident that he has
seen or heard about on the job. With each incident recalled be sure to determine
how many times he has seen or heard about it.
7. Ask lot of questions to fill in the gaps. Avoid interrupting him but get full information
 on each incident
8. Repeat what you have noted down , to make sure you have got it right
9. Discuss the causes with him and the possible remedies
10. Thank him at the conclusion of the interview.

Safety signs
Safety #2
Ear protection

Ear plug and ear muffs are the ear protection device commonly used. While ear plug
attenuate noise up to 25 to 30 dB thus making them suitable for 115 to 120 noise
level.
Ear muffs provide an additional attenuation of around 10 to 15 dB in comparison to
ear plugs thus making them suitable for range up to 130 to 135 dB.
Combination of both ear plug and ear muff provide an additional attenuation of 3 to
5 dB. However total attenuation should never be more than 50 dB as it effects bone
conduction.

Respiratory devices

There are three types of respiratory devices

Air purifying respirators

1. Particulate filter respirator

2. Light chemical cartridge type
3. Heavy chemical cartridge type ( 0.05 to 0.1% concentration Of hazardous gases)
4. Canister gas mask type ( up to 0.2 % concentration of harmful gases)

Air supplied type respirator

1. Hose mask
2. Air line respirator

These respirators are used when the situation is not immediately dangerous to
life. The air is supplied through hose from the source outside the confined space. In case
fitted with blower not more than 24 feet of hose length is allowed otherwise it can extend
up to 300 feet.

Self contained breathing apparatus

They are used when the person has to work in hazardous atmosphere at a
distance more than 300 feet. The length of the time for which the unit is used is limited.

Safety boots

Foot injuries are caused by following reasons :

1. Striking against stationary object

 2. Struck by moving object
3. Stepping on hot object
4. Stepping on sharp objects
5. Heat radiation and welding sparks

For first four hazards leather shoes of 16" size are used. For last hazard 9" asbestos shoes
are used. The safety shoes are provided with a carbon steel toe cap.

Various classes of safety helmet

1. Class A - Low resistance ( upto 2.2 kV)

2. Class B - High resistance (upto 20kV)
3. Class C - No resistance ( metallic hat )
4. Class D - Fire Resistant Hats
Safety #3
OHSAS 18001

4.1 General requirements

4.2 Occupational health and safety policy

4.3 Planning

HIRA
Legal requirements
Objectives and requirements

4.4 Implementation and Operation

Roles, Responsibility, Accountability and Authority

Competence, training and Awareness
Communications, Participations and Consultation
Documentation
Control of documents
Emergency preparedness and Response

4.5 Checking and Corrective Actions

Performance monitoring and measurement

Evaluation of compliance
Incident investigation, non conformity, corrective and preventive
actions
Audit

4.6 Management Review

Safety #4
Heinrich triangle , 1928

1: Major accident
29: Minor accident
300: No accident

Frank bird triangle, 1966

1: fatal
10 : other accident
30: Property damage
600: no accident

James tye and Peterson, 1974

1: Major accident
3: Minor accident
50: First aid accidents
80 : Property damage
400 : No accident

Domino's theory, 1931

Social environment
Fault of the person
Unsafe acts and conditions
Accidents
Injury
Four E's of safety management

Engineering revision
Education training
Enthusiasm and encouragement
Enforcement and discipline

Accident Investigation

Evidence collection
People
Position
Part
Paper
Analysis and reconstruction
Develop findings and recommendations
Accident investigation report
Follow up.

Initial response to accident

Take control
Ensure first aid
Control secondary accident
Identify sources of evidence
Preserve evidence
Determine loss potential
Notify managers
Electrical #1
Earth leakage circuit breaker
An Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) is a safety device used in electrical installations
with high to prevent shock. It detects small stray voltages on the metal enclosures of
electrical equipment, and interrupts the circuit if a dangerous voltage is detected. Once
widely used, more recent installations instead use residual current circuit breaker which
instead detect leakage current directly.

The main purpose of earth leakage protectors is to prevent injury to humans and animals
due to electric shock.

There are two types of ELCBs

1. Voltage operated
2. Current operated

Voltage operated work on the principle of voltage difference. A voltage-operated

ELCB detects a rise in potential between the protected interconnected metalwork
(equipment frames, conduits, enclosures) and a distant isolated earth reference
electrode. They operate at a detected potential of around 50 volts to open a main
breaker and isolate the supply from the protected premises. It has a second
connection to the isolated reference earth electrode.

The earth circuit is modified when an ELCB is used; the connection to the earth rod is
passed through the ELCB by connecting to its two earth terminals. One terminal goes to
the installation earth CPC (circuit protective conductor, aka earth wire), and the other to
the earth rod (or sometimes other type of earth connection).

Residual-current devices (RCD)s protect against earth leakage using a different

method of detection. Both circuit conductors (supply and return) are run through a
sensing coil; any imbalance of the currents means the magnetic field does not
perfectly cancel. The device detects the imbalance and trips the contact. When the
term ELCB is used it usually means a voltage-operated device. Similar devices that
are current operated are called residual-current devices.

Residual current circuit breaker

A residual-current device (RCD), or residual-current circuit breaker (RCCB) is an electrical

wiring device that disconnects a circuit whenever it detects that the electric current is not
balanced between the energized conductor and the return neutral conductor. Such an
imbalance may indicate current leakage through the body of a person who is grounded
and accidentally touching the energized part of the circuit. A lethal shock can result from
these conditions. RCCBs are designed to disconnect quickly enough to prevent injury
caused by such shocks. They are not intended to provide protection against over current
(overload) or all short-circuit conditions.

Human resistance to electric current in ohms

1. Dry body - 100000 to 600000

2. Wet body - 1000
3. Internal body and hand to foot - 400 to 600
4. Ear to ear - about 100

The current limiting value for RCCB or ELCB should not be more than 30 mA
Electrical #2
Static electricity is an imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a
material. The charge remains until it is able to move away by means of an electric
current orelectrical discharge. Static electricity is named in contrast with current
electricity, which flows through wires or other conductors and transmits energy.

A static electric charge is created whenever two surfaces contact and separate, and at
least one of the surfaces has a high resistance to electrical current (and is therefore an
electrical insulator).

Typical ignition energies are:

0.017 mJ for hydrogen

0.2-2 mJ for hydrocarbon vapors
1–50 mJ for fine flammable dust
40–1000 mJ for coarse flammable dust.

Earthing Resistance of buildings

Large substation including the power station : 1 ohm

Small substation : 2 - 5 ohm
Residential houses : 10 ohm

Static electricity is generally produced when

Non conducting liquid flow through the pipe

Spraying or coating
Blending or mixing
Filling tanks , drums or cans
Dry powdered material passes through pneumatic conveyors
Non conductive conveyor or moving belts

Static electricity poses hazard only when

1. An inflammable or explosive atmosphere must be present

2. The resultant charge accumulated must have enough energy to produce the charge.
3. The resultant spark must have energy higher than minimum spark energy of the
surroundings

Control of static electricity :

 Control of the charge generation

1. Control flow velocity

2. Avoid or reduce free fall
3. Reduce unnecessary friction in the process
4. Use non sparking tools

Control the charge accumulation

1. Bonding and earthing

2. Maintain relative humidity 60 to 70%
3. Use fairly conductive material as additive for non conducting liquids
4. Ionise surrounding atmosphere
5. Use anti static footwear or flooring

Elimination of flammable or explosive atmosphere

Dilute the atmosphere with better ventilation
Minimise possibility of spark

1. Use intrinsically safe equipment

2. Use segregation
3. Use pressurisation

Effects of human current:

Fire #1
Fire is the rapid oxidation of the combustible materials and gases producing heat and
light.
Explosion is a freely propagating combustion waves or deflagration, moving at sub
sonic speed.

Pressure developed during explosion

Directly Proportional to time
Nature of the explosive material
Shape of the vessel
Longer the hydrocarbon chain, lower will be the AIT ( Auto ignition temperature)
MESG (minimum experimental safe gap) : It is the smallest gap through which flame
can sustain.
EIPV ( explosion isolation pinch valve)
EIV
Stand pipes

1. Class 1 - 2.5 in , used by fire fighters

2. Class 2 - 1.5 in , used by local public
3. Class 3 - both 2.5 and 1.5 in

Generally class 1 pipes are more and more installed these days , because of the
hazard that exist due to use of stand pipes by general public
Fire hydrants systems , generally installed outside the buildings to be used by fire
fighters for use during fire emergencies
Wet barrel hydrant systems
Dry barrel hydrant systems
These systems shall deliver water at a pressure not less than 3 kg/cm².
Sprinkler systems
Wet pipe sprinkler systems
Dry pipe sprinkler systems
Pre action sprinkler systems
Deluge fire sprinkler systems.
The exit of the building meant for human occupancy shall ensure safe escape in case
of fire. The exit shall be clearly visible and sign boards shall be provided at each exits
shall be so arranged that they may be reached without passing through another
occupancy. The travel distance to the exit shall be less than 22.5 m.
The exit door should have door way not less than 1000mm width 2000mm height
and must be operated outwards.
Best way to fight fire (3P)
Planning
Prepare
Practising
Best way to protect (3P)
People
Property
Process
For class C petroleum @ least 30 min of foam application
For class A and Class B @ least 60 mins of foam application.
Fire #2
Fire load is the amount of heat in kilo calories which liberated per square metre of the
floor area of the compartment by the combustion of the contents of the building or the
combustible parts of the building itself

It is given as follows.

Fire load = derating factor × weight of the total combustibles + 0.75× weight
of the combustibles surrounded on five sides by steel + weight of the free
combustibles

Derating factor is calculated by the ratio of the free combustibles to the weight
of the total combustibles

Combustion equation :

Acetylene has a flammable range of 2.5% to 81%

Hydrogen has a flammability range of 4 to 75%
Petrol has a flammability range of 1.7 to 7%
Petrol boiling point - 47 °C
Diesel boiling point - 52°C
Flash point is the lowest temperature at which the fuel produces enough vapours
which when ignited give momentary flash
Fire point is the lowest temperature at which the heat produced from the
combustion of burning vapours is sufficient enough to produce the vapours required
to sustain the combustion.
Auto ignition temperature is the temperature at which the fuel ignites
instantaneously from the energy of the surrounding atmosphere without any ignition
source.
Flash point < Fire point < AIT
Flammable liquid - flash point between 32 °C to 55 °C
Highly flammable liquid - flash point less than 32 °C
Classes of petroleum
Class A - below 23°C
Class B - between 23°C to 65°C
Class C - between 65°C to 93°C
Calcium carbide fire should be doused using dry powder
As combinations of calcium carbide and water releases acetylene gas.
Fire #3
Classes of fire

1. Class A - solid combustibles

2. Class B - Hydrocarbon liquids or liquefiable solids
3. Class C - Hydrocarbon gases or liquefied gases
4. Class D - Magnesium, Aluminium, potassium and sodium.

Sources of ignition

Heating system
Friction
Hot surfaces
Static electricity

Fire extinguisher suitable for different types of fire

Class A : water, dry powder, vaporising liquid, Carbon dioxide, foam

Class B : water,dry powder, carbon dioxide, foam, vaporising liquid

Class C : dry powder, carbon dioxide

Class D: dry powder

Life time of all fire extinguisher = 10 years

Life time of carbon dioxide extinguisher = 15 years
Test pressure for all fire extinguisher = 35 kg/cm²
Test pressure of carbon dioxide extinguisher= 250 kg/cm²
BLEVE takes place when a flame impinges on the vessel carrying flammable liquid
causing it to boil and consequently explode releasing burning droplets boiling liquid
and fragments of the vessel.
Substance should be in the liquid state
Containers like bullet, sphere
Contained liquid must be stored above its boiling point
Time to BLEVE
Less when impingement is on vapour space
Less when container is fully filled to its capacity.
Purging
Vacuum purging, when vacuum is drawn and the space is filled with inert gas
 Pressure purging, when inert gas is first filled into the space under pressure and
than vent down to atmospheric pressure.
Sweep through purging
Siphon purging.
Fill the vessel with a compatible liquid
Use the sweep through purging on small vapour space
Add inert purge gas as the vessel is drained

NFPA COLOR CODE

1. Yellow - reactivity
2. Red - flammability
3. White - specific hazard
4. Blue - health hazard

Fire extinguisher color code

Water - red
Foam - red with blue band
DCP - red with white band
Carbon dioxide - red with black band

Fire detector

Photoelectric smoke detector - 0.3 to 10 microns particle size released just before
the combustion ( smouldering)
Ionisation smoke detector - less than 0.3 microns , during combustion
Flame detector is fastest of all detectors
Heat detector is slowest of all.
False alarm for different detectors
UV during lightening
IR due to hot surfaces
Heat Due to vibration of walls

Types of fire extinguisher

1. Pressurised extinguisher ( consist of extinguishing agent and a expellant

ex. Water and nitrogen )
2. Cartridge extinguisher. ( In this type of extinguisher the expellant is stored
in different cartridge which is punctured when needed to be used, they
generally use carbon dioxide as expellant )

Carbon dioxide is a self expellant

AFFF
Aqueous film forming foam
Resealing
Foam consists of 6 - 3% foam concentrate and rest is water.
AFFF reduces the density of the water this enabling the foam to stay on the
surface of fuel.
Fire extinguishing techniques
Cooling
Starvation
Blanketing and smothering
Soda acid is the oldest type of fire extinguishers. It contains canister of Sulphuric acid
and sodium bicarbonate solution. when the plunger is pressed the acid bottle
breakdown down reacting with soda to give water and Carbon dioxide. Which then
expels water out of the nozzle.
Fire #4
VAPOR CLOUD EXPLOSION

When a large amount of flammable vaporizing liquid or gas is rapidly released, a vapor
cloud forms and disperses with the surrounding air. The release can occur from a storage
tank, process, transport vessel, or pipeline. If this cloud is ignited before the cloud is diluted
below its lower flammability limit (LFL), a VCE or flash fire will occur.

There are four features which must be present in order for a VCE to occur. First, the
release material must be flammable. Second, a cloud of sufficient size must form prior to
ignition, with ignition delays of from 1 to 5 min considered the most probable for generating
vapor cloud explosions. Third, a sufficient amount of the cloud must be within the flammable
range. Fourth, sufficient confinement or turbulent mixing of a portion of the vapor cloud must
be present.

FLASH FIRE

A flash fire is the nonexplosive combustion of a vapor cloud resulting from a release of
flammable material into the open air. Experiments have shown that vapor clouds only
explode in areas where intensely turbulent combustion develops and only if certain
conditions are met. Major hazards from flash fires are from thermal radiation and direct
flame contact. The literature provides little information on the effects of thermal radiation
from flash fires, probably because thermal radiation hazards from burning vapor clouds are
considered less significant than possible blast effects. Furthermore, flash combustion of a
vapor cloud normally lasts no more that a few tenths of a second. Therefore, the total
intercepted radiation by an object near a flash fire is substantially lower than in the case of
a pool fire.

PHYSICAL EXPLOSION

When a vessel containing a pressurized gas ruptures, the resulting stored energy is
released. This energy can produce a shock wave and accelerate vessel fragments. If the
contents are flammable it is possible that ignition of the released gas could result in
additional consequence effects.

A physical explosion relates to the catastrophic rupture of a pressurized gas filled vessel.
Rupture could occur for the following reasons:
1. Failure of pressure regulating and pressure relief equipment (physical
overpressurization)
2. Reduction in vessel thickness due to
a. corrosion
b. erosion
c. chemical attack
3. Reduction in vessel strength due to
a. overheating
b. material defects with subsequent development of fracture
c. chemical attack, e.g., stress corrosion cracking, pitting, embrittlement
d. fatigue induced weakening of the vessel
4. Internal runaway reaction.
5. Any other incident which results in loss of process containment.

BLEVE ( BOILING LIQUID EXPANDING VAPOR EXPLOSION )

A BLEVE is a sudden release of a large mass of pressurized superheated liquid to the

atmosphere. The primary cause is usually an external flame impinging on the shell of a
vessel above the liquid level, weakening the container and leading to sudden shell rupture. A
pressure relief valve does not protect against this mode of failure, since the shell failure is
likely to occur at a pressure below the set pressure of the relief system. It
should be noted, however, that a BLEVE can occur due to any mechanism that results in
the sudden failure of containment, including impact by an object, corrosion, manufacturing
defects, internal overheating, etc. The sudden containment failure allows the superheated
liquid to flash, typically increasing its volume over 200 times. This is sufficient to generate a
pressure wave and fragments. If the released liquid is flammable, a fireball may result.

POOL FIRE

A pool fire may result via a number of scenarios. It begins typically with the release of
flammable material from process equipment. If the material is liquid, stored at a
temperature below its normal boiling point, the liquid will collect in a pool. The geometry of
the pool is dictated by the surroundings (i.e., diking), but an unconstrained pool
in an open, flat area is possible, particularly if the liquid quantity spilled is inadequate to
completely fill the diked area. If the liquid is stored under pressure above its normal boiling
point, then a fraction of the liquid will flash into vapor, with unflashed liquid remaining to form
a pool in the vicinity of the release. Once an ignition has occurred, a pool fire results and
the dominant mechanism for damage is via thermal effects, primarily via radiative heat
transfer from the resulting flame

JET FIRE

Jet fires typically result from the combustion of a material as it is being released from a
pressurized process unit. The main concern, similar to pool fires, is in local radiation effects.

Boil over
In any tank in which flammable liquid is stored, A layer of water is filled at the bottom first.
In case, the liquids are stored at different densities, the fire will travel downwards slowly
and thus heating the water below. At sufficient temperature the water is converted into
superheated steam which then burst out due to expansion of vapors and thus expelling the
droplets of burning liquid with itself. This phenomenon is called Boil over.

To avoid this phenomenon the outer wall of the tank surface is painted with special
colouring agent which changes color when the walls get heated.

Slop over

Superheated steam coming out of the tank when water is thrown for fire fighting.
Notes #1
Two types of material handling

1. Manual material handling

2. Mechanical material handling ( ex. Cranes, forklift, industrial trucks, conveyor
etc. )

Types of Fibre ropes

1. Natural
2. Synthetic

Natural fibres include Manilla, coir, hemp, sisal, jute . Synthetic fibres include
polypropylene, polyester, nylon.

Types of Mechanical material handling equipments

1. Transport equipment
2. Positioning equipment
3. Unit load formation equipment
4. Storage equipment
5. Identification and control equipment.

Steel wire ropes

Chains
slings
Hooks
Notes #2
WIRE ROPE OR FIBRE ROPE

Visual inspection thumb rule for wire rope inspection -

1. Select a length of rope equal to 10 times its diameter

2. Check the entire length for cuts in the strands
3. If more than 6 strands are broken in the entire length change the rope.

Steel wire ropes are of three types depending on the core

1. Wire strand core

2. Fibre core
3. Wire rope core

Notation for wire ropes is given as 6×7 I.e 6 strands of 7 wires

The core needs to be lubricated to reduce the friction between the core and the
strands, also it helps in preventing corrosion and rotting of fibre cores
Defects in wire ropes

1. Wear and tear

2. Abrasion
3. Flattening
4. Wire cut
5. Birdcage
6. Kinking
7. Elongation
8. Fatigue (reduction in dia)

Thumb rule for calculating Lifting capacity of rope = 8×D² kg ( D in mm)

Chain slings shall be used for hot works and acid or alkaline operation.
One knot reduces the capacity of the wire rope by 50% instead splice the wires.
Kinking is caused by improperly pulling out the wire rope from the loop or coil.
Bird caging is caused by sudden release of tension and resultant rebound of the rope
from overload condition.
Decreasing the angle between the two legs of sling and horizontal axis increases the
load on the two legs.

Fibre ropes

1. Manilla : most suitable natural fibre for construction and industrial purpose when new
bright yellow in colour. Also used for fibre core rope.
2. Sisal : A substitute for manilla rope but has only 67% strength of manilla rope. When
new white to light yellow in colour.
3. Choir and jute are not usually used very widely.
4. Nylon : It has more than 2.5 times of strength of manilla fibre and about four times
its working elasticity. When wet it breaking strength reduces by 10-15%.
5. Polyester : Best general purpose rope available. Extremely resistant towards water
as it does not absorb moisture.
6. Polypropylene and polyethylene also show similar properties as polyester.

Both nylon and polyester should not be used for temperatures above 90°C.
Notes #3
Types of material handling operations :

Hoisting
Conveying
Surface moving

Types of cranes :

Hoist

Jib crane
Monorail crane
Semi gantry crane
Goliath crane or gantry crane
electrical overhead crane
Stacker crane
Automatic storing and retrieving system
Tower cranes
Mobile cranes
Derricks

Protection equipments in a EOT crane

Limit switches
Overload relays
Circuit breaker
Spring return control
Anti collision device
Load cell
 ON - OFF switch
Emergency push button
Warning bell
Fire extinguisher
Rope ladder

There are three types of movement that a crane can perform

1. Cross travel
2. Longitudinal travel
3. Hoisting and lowering

Mobile cranes

They can either be crawler mounted or truck mounted.

The operator should continuously check the angle metre and the total weight lifted.
Depending upon the angle, the maximum load that can be lifted changes.

Outrigger should be taken out to rest or hold the crane at steady to prevent its toppling

Working area shall be cordoned off.

While moving up the slope the boo. Should be kept ahead of the body, on the contrary
while moving down the slope it should be kept behind the crane body.
Notes #4
Precautions while operating overhead crane

Before operating crane , the upper limit and lower limit should be checked.
Cross trolley movement should be checked.
Longitudinal travel should be checked.
Brakes should be checked.
Check the ropes and the hooks.
Whether all controls are in good condition or not, emergency switches are working or
not
Whether rope ladder is present in the cabin or not
Operator has to obey the signal given by the riggers only, stop signal can be given by
anyone.
He has to ensure that the load doesn't exceeds the SWL.
While moving the load, he has to ring the bell or horn
Operator should not take the load over the people in the workshop.
Crane should be checked by competent person once in a year.
Crane operator must be subjected to color vision test once in a year.

Forklift:
Forklift is powered Industrial truck covered by industrial standards

Various safety features in a forklift are :

Backrest
Overhead guard
Seat belt
Chapter #1
Industrial hygiene : It is the discipline of anticipating, evaluating, and controlling the
health hazards in the work environment with the objective of protecting worker health
and well being and safeguarding the community at large.
Health hazards :

Physical hazards.
Chemical hazards.
Ergonomics hazards.
Biological hazards.
Psychological hazards.

One important point safety hazards arise out of accident or unsafe situation or unsafe
condition, however health hazards may or may not arise out of accident or unsafe act
also in case of health hazards the cause/effect relationship may not be clearly
established. Safety hazards have immediate effects rather than health hazards that may
affect the person immediately or after passing out of some time.
Risk : A combination of likelihood and severity of an event that can cause harm to man
and property.

Safety : Freedom from unacceptable risk or from injury or asset damage or loss.

Industrial safety : Measures or techniques adopted to reduce the risk of injury,loss and
damages to persons, property or the environment in any facility or place involving the
manufacturing or processing of goods.

Hazard : Potential source of harm to people & equipment.

Chapter #2
Risk assessment ( HIRA) : It is examination of the workplace to see what can cause
the harm and what precautions are needed to prevent the harm occurring. Steps of risk
assessment are :

1. Hazard Identification
2. Hazard characteristics
3. Exposure assessment
4. Risk characteristics
5. Risk evaluation

TLV : is a exposure guidelines that has been established for occupational exposure to
physical agents of acoustics, electromagnetic, ergonomics, mechanical, thermal nature
and to chemical agents.

Types of TLV :

TWA - 8 hrs average, that should not be exceeded during the whole day.
STEL - 15 min average, not to be repeated for more than 4 times in a day and there
should be at least 60 min gaps between successive exposure.
Ceiling - Concentration that should never be crossed during any time in the day.
Excursion limits - In case there is no stem values are available we can decide
excursion limit as follows :
3 times the TWA value not for more than 30 min in a day.
5 times the TWA value under no circumstances shall be exceeded during the
whole day.

Adjusted values of PEL for overtime can be calculated as follows :

IDLH : Idlh standards are given for those chemical agents which can cause

1. Irreversible health effects

2. Acute effects
3. Used for designing respirators
While TLV ceiling values are given in the case where health effects are reversible , or
irritants.

TLV - ACGIH
PEL - OSHA
REL - NIOSH
MAC - USSR
Chapter #3
Noise : Any unwanted sound that causes unpleasantness or annoyance or disturbances.

Continuous noise : recurring within half second

Impulse noise : a noise which reaches its peak within 35 ms continues to decay up to
1500 ms.

Continuous noise exposure : A constant noise to which a employee is subjected for a

period of 8 hrs per day.

Intermittent noise exposure : Exposure to a given noise several times a day.

Impact noise exposure : exposure to impact noise several times a normal day.

Instruments that are used to measure the noise are Sound level meter and Noise
dosi meter
'A' frequency weighing is generally used to measure the exposure of human ears to
the noise as it closely simulates the human ear frequency response curve.
Following are the allowed TWA or dose level of noise that a person receives
90 db for 8 hrs will be 100% dose
95 db for 8 hrs will be 200% dose and so on.
TWA value for continuous noise exposure = 90 DBA for 8 hrs
Ceiling value for continuous noise exposure = 115 DBA
Impact noise ceiling value = 140 DBC for 110 impacts/day, 130 dB for 1000 impacts
per day, 120 dB for 10000 impacts per day
If there is a dip in frequency response curve ( audiogram) at 4000hz it indicates that
person is suffering from noise induced heating loss.
Standard threshold shift means a average shift in either ear of 10 db or more at
2000,3000 and 4000hz frequencies as compared to base audiogram of employee.
A hearing conservation programme should be undertaken at every industry ,
minimum requirements for effective HCP are

1. Monitoring programme
2. Audiometric testing programme
3. Hearing protection devices
4. Employee training programme
5. Record keeping

Noise can be controlled at

Source
Path
 Receiver
Octave filter is a filter which has an upper frequency equal to two times the lower
frequency
⅓Octave filter is a filter which has an upper frequency 1.25 times the lower
frequency.
Chapter #4
STEL,TWA and Ceiling values for different chemicals

CHEMICAL TWA in ppm STEL in ppm CEILING in ppm

Ammonia 25 35
Benzene 10 25
CO 50 400 1000
Chlorine 1 3
Fluorine 1 2
Hydrogen sulphide 10 15
Nitric acid 2 4
Nitric oxide 25 35
Sulfur dioxide 2 5
hydrogen cyanide 10

Dust classification

Physical classification
1. Dust - 0.1 - 100 micrometer
2. Fumes - solid particles formed by condensation, sizing below 1 micrometre
3. Mist - liquid particles sizing below 10 micrometre
4. Smoke - below 0.1 micrometer, carbon particles
5. Fibers - more than 5 microns in length and less than 3 microns in dia.
Physiological classification
1. Irritant - ammonia , halogen, hydrogen, chloride
2. Simple asphyxiant - CO2, He, methane, nitrogen
3. Chemical Asphyxiant - CO, cyanide, hydrogen sulphide
4. Primary anesthetic - Chloroform
5. heptatoxic (liver) - CCl4
6. Nephrotoxic (kidney) - Uranium, halogenated hydrocarbon
7. Neurotoxic (central nervous system) - mercury, manganese
8. Hematopoietic system toxics (blood) - benzene.
9. Carcinogens - Asbestos, PVC, Ethylene dioxide

Inhalable fraction - 0.1 - 100 microns

Thoriac particulate fraction - < 10 microns
Respirable particulate fraction - < 5 microns
Chapter #5
ALARA ( As low as reasonably allowable)
There are three principles of ALARA

1. Time
2. Shielding
3. Distance

Radiation hazards :

1. UV A - 315-400 nm > Cataract

2. UV B - 315 - 280 nm > snow blindness
3. UV C - 280 - 100 nm
4. IR A - 760-1400nm
5. IR B - 1400 - 3000nm
6. IR C - 3000nm - 1mm

Heat Hazards

These are the various stages of heat disorders

1. Heat stroke - Hot and dry body surface - lose of thermo regulatory function.
2. Heat syncope - Damp and cold body surface - Lose of circulatory function
3. Heat exhaustion - fatigue, nausea, delirium - water depletion
4. Heat cramps - pain, cramps in muscles - Salt depletion

Method for determining heat stress

Heat stress can be defined as the total net heat load experienced by person due to
environmental factors, clothing requirements and metabolic temperature of body.

WBGT INDEX (for solar load)

0.7WB+0.2 GT +0.1DB

WBGT INDEX ( INDOORS)

0.7WB+0.3GT

Vibration standards
1. Whole body vibrations - 0.5 to 80Hz
2. Local body vibrations - 80- 1000Hz
3. Motion sickness - less than 0.5 Hz
Chapter #6
Percentile means the percentage of the persons within the population who have body
dimensions less than the specifies value
Design for average is wrong as in this case 50% of population will always suffer.
Hypothermia is caused at body temperatures leas than 35 °C
Wind chill index is the system used to determine the discomfort or working limits in
case of cold weather.
Cumulative trauma disorders are the diseases which are caused over long time
usually in the muscles, sheaths, tendons and bones due to repeated force exertions ,
body postures and other ergonomic factors.
Carpel tunnel syndrome is a CTD caused by extreme wrist postures while working
thus resulting in compression of the median nerve in the palm , causing numbness in
thumb to ring finger and inability to work.
THERP - technique for human error prediction
HEART - human error assessment and reduction techniques
JHEDI - justification of human error data information.
Reaction time
Simple/ choice
Visual / auditory
Critical flicker fusion frequency
Detect central nervous system fatigue
Spare mental capacity ( Occupational work capacity)
33% of RAS on average + Peak load not to exceed 50% of RAS
CARA #1
Study cube for risk analysis

1. COMPLEXITY OF THE STUDY

It depends upon two factors :

The complexity of the model which are going to be used for study
The number of incident outcome cases to be studied; means to how many cases can
be studied for a particular outcome.

2. NUMBER OF INCIDENTS

Bounding cases means only catastrophic incidents are studied, these are basically
studied to decide the boundary of the consequences
Representative set consists of some cases of each type minor (affecting only a part
of plant), major (affecting many sections of the plant, but inside the site boundaries)
and catastrophic ( the effects may extend beyond the plant boundaries)

Safety design strategies

 Inherent or intrinsic : An inherently safer design is one that avoids hazards
instead of controlling them, particularly by reducing the amount of hazardous
materials and the number of hazardous operations in the plant.

1. Intensification ( low volume)

2. Substitution ( less hazardous material)
3. Attenuation ( Reducing risk at source, safe process condition)
4. Simplicity
5. Operability
6. Fail safe design
7. Second chance design

Passive ( Factor of safety )

Active ( Engineering controls, Adding extra safety features )
Procedural ( Administrative controls )

Design stages

1. Research and development ( Pilot plant)

2. Process design
3. Front end conceptual engineering
4. Engineering design and equipment specification selection
CARA #2
HAZARD EVALUATION TECHNIQUES

Several of the techniques discussed in this chapter are more appropriately used for
performing general process hazard studies. These techniques (e.g., Safety Review,
Check-list Analysis, Relative Ranking, PHA, and What-If Analysis) are most efficient
when used early in the life of a process or when taking a "broad-brush" look at the
inherent hazards of a large plant or complex process.
Other HE techniques covered in the Guidelines (e.g., What-If/Check-list Analysis,
HAZOP Analysis, FMEA) are excellent choices for performing detailed analyses of a
wide range of hazards during the detailed design of the process and after the process
is in operation. These approaches are also used to identify hazardous situations,
which can be studied with even more sophisticated analysis techniques.
Some of the HE techniques covered in the Guidelines should be used only in special
situations requiring detailed analysis of one or a few specific hazardous situations of
concern. For example, techniques such as Fault Tree Analysis, Event Tree Analysis,
Cause-Consequence Analysis, and Human Reliability Analysis can be used to analyse
all the ways that "runaway exothermic reaction in the product storage tank" could
occur. These techniques require specially trained and skilled practitioners. Analysts
are cautioned to use these methods on tightly focused problems since they require
significantly more time and effort to perform than do the more broad-brush
approaches.

1. SAFETY REVIEW
2. CHECK-LIST ANALYSIS
3. RELATIVE RANKING
4. PRELIMINARY HAZARD ANALYSIS
5. WHAT-IF ANALYSIS
6. WHAT-IF/CHECK-LIST ANALYSIS
7. HAZARD AND OPERABILITY ANALYSIS
8. FAILURE MODES AND EFFECTS ANALYSIS
9. FAULT TREE ANALYSIS
10. EVENT TREE ANALYSIS
11. CAUSE-CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS
12. HUMAN RELIABILITY ANALYSIS
CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS
CARA #3
SIL specifications are mostly required in

Petrochemical/process industries
Oil and gas industries

SIL is handled under IEC 61508. IEC 61508 is an "umbrella standard" for functional safety
across all industries. Compliance with IEC 61508 ensures compliance with industry
specific standards such as:

IEC 61511 - Process industries

IEC 61513 - Nuclear industries
IEC 62061 - Machinery industry

These standards address the entire safety life cycle and are based on performance
analysis. Compliance with these standards helps reduce risk by looking into the weakest
link in the process. It doesn't guarantees safety but simply reduces risk.

IEC 61508 defines three successive tiers of safety assessment:

Safety instrumented system

Safety instrumented function
Safety integrity level

Level 1:
A Safety instrumented system is defined as an "instrumented system used to implement
one or more safety instrumented functions (SIF). A SIS is consists of any combination of
sensors, logic solvers and final elements."

The SIS is an instrumented control system that detects "out of control" conditions and
automatically returns the process to a safe state.

Level 2:
A Safety instrumented function is defined as a "function to be implemented by a SIS
which is intended to achieve or maintain safe state for the process with respect to a
specific hazardous event."

The SIF is an independent safety loop or interlock that automatically brings the process to
the safe state in response to a specific initiating event.

Level 3:
SIL is the safety integrity level of a specific safety instrumented function (SIF) which is
being implemented by a Safety instrumented system (SIS). Sil is a measure of risk
reduction provided by a specific SIF.

Each device required to perform a safety instrumented function must have a SIL value
assigned to it that is appropriate to the risk to that is assigned to the entire system.
So, there is a system and the conditions that it is exposed to or it has to operate under
and that will dictate what will be the SIL value of those Safety instrumented functions
underneath of it.

Thus the whole Process is about eliminating or reducing the risk associated with the
process. Risk is defined as the likelihood of a defined consequence occurring within a
known period or under specific conditions. It is given as the product of the Probability of
harm (P) and the severity of the harm (S).

R=PxS
CARA #4
SIL is expressed as number from 1 - 4

SIL 4 provides the greatest risk reduction

SIL 1 provides the lowest risk reduction

There are many complex factors that are taken into consideration for calculating the SIL
value some of them are:

Probability of failure on demand :

SIL PFD PFD (power) RRF

1 0.1-0.01 10−1 - 10−2 10-100
2 0.01-0.001 10−2 - 10−3 100-1000
3 0.001-0.0001 10−3 - 10−4 1000-10,000
10,000-100,000
4 0.0001-0.00001 10−4 - 10−5
Safe failure fraction :

SIL level SFF

SIL 1
< 60%

SIL 2 60% to 90%

SIL 3 90% to 99%

SIL 4 > 99%

Safe failure fraction : The resulting percentage of a more complex equation that
indicates the probability a component will fail in a "safe" mode.

Demand mode : A classification based upon how often the component will be called
upon work. So, obviously their is more risk associated to something which called upon to
work 10 - 20 times a day versus something that is called upon to operate once in a year.
Some applications are low demand mode and some high and all of that factors into
calculating what SIL level is necessary for an instrument

FMEDA Report :A report that outlines the detail of the component level testing whereby
a resulting SIL level was achieved. A Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a
systematic way to identify and evaluate the effects of different component failure modes,
to determine what could eliminate or reduce the chance of failure, and to document the
system in consideration. An FMEDA (Failure Modes, Effects and Diagnostic Analysis) is an
FMEA extension. It combines standard FMEA techniques with extension to identify online
diagnostics techniques and the failure modes relevant to safety instrumented
system design.

This figure shows the general methodology to determine the SIL level of a plant.
CARA #5
LOPA

Layers of protection analysis (LOPA) is a semi-quantitative methodology that can be used

to
identify safeguards that meet the independent protection layer (IPL) criteria established
by CCPS1
in 1993. While IPLs are extrinsic safety systems, they can be active or passive systems,
as long
as the following criteria are met:

Specificity: The IPL is capable of detecting and preventing or mitigating the

consequences of
specified, potentially hazardous event(s), such as a runaway reaction, loss of
containment, or an
explosion.

Independence: An IPL is independent of all the other protection layers associated with
the
identified potentially hazardous event. Independence requires that the performance is not
affected
by the failure of another protection layer or by the conditions that caused another
protection layer
to fail. Most importantly, the protection layer is independent of the initiating cause.

Dependability: The protection provided by the IPL reduces the identified risk by a
known and
specified amount.

Auditability: The IPL is designed to permit regular periodic validation of the protective
function

Examples of IPLs are as follows:

• Standard operating procedures,

• Basic process control systems,
• Alarms with defined operator response,
• Safety instrumented systems (SIS),
• Pressure relief devices,
• Blast walls and dikes,
• Fire and gas systems, and
• Deluge systems.

LOPA is not just another hazard assessment or risk assessment tool. It is an engineering
tool
used to ensure that process risk is successfully mitigated to an acceptable level. LOPA is a
rational, defensible methodology that allows a rapid, cost effective means for identifying
the IPLs
that lower the frequency and/or the consequence of specific hazardous incidents.

The steps for performing LOPA are given below: