BENGALURU: The death of a 56-year-old Metro worker at a site in Pattanagere near Kengeri on Friday has once again highlighted the need for better safety measures. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is planning to set up a safety cell to conduct inspections at sites.
Yeduru Yarrayya from Andhra Pradesh was a skilled worker of the IL&FS labour team. He fell from the concourse level while doing chipping work for the escalator shaft. Kengeri police said the site lacked adequate safety equipment.
This is the fourth fatality among Metro workers in four months — three others had died at Electronics City, Kanakapura Main Road and Cantonment. Around 4,800 workers are involved in the ongoing 72km Phase 2 of the project.
Activists say most accidents are caused by negligence, ill-trained staff and inadequate supervision. In fact, a majority of the victims are migrant workers. Most safety guidelines are in English or Kannada and many workers find it difficult to understand them.
Activist Samuel Sathyaseelan, who filed a PIL in the high court in 2012 for improving conditions of Metro workers, said: “The HC had constituted a monitoring committee which had to function till completion of all construction work related to Metro projects. It comprises labour commissioners, BMRCL representatives, contractors, sub-contractors and representatives of BMRCL trade union or those of the workmen.”
“In fact, the court had requested the committee to meet once a month to ensure all grievances/complaints are resolved. The panel has to address the grievances of workmen related to non-compliance of labour laws and take measures to resolve the same. But it has not met in the recent past,” he claimed.
Most Metro corporations in the country have formed safety cells to prevent workers’ deaths. A senior BMRCL official said they are mulling a dedicated safety cell at the headquarters, which will monitor the safety conditions of Metro workers at sites. “We are following precautions as per the safety manual. We have issued an instruction to all contractors to ensure safety of workers at all sites. Engineers should also ensure all workers wear protective gear.” However, he said the worker at Cantonment had died due to a vehicle accident and others were accidental falls.
In Electronics City, an iron beam from a support frame had fallen and killed a 24-year-old worker last November. A 34-year-old Metro worker had died after falling from a pillar near Kanakapura Main Road in January.
Yeduru Yarrayya from Andhra Pradesh was a skilled worker of the IL&FS labour team. He fell from the concourse level while doing chipping work for the escalator shaft. Kengeri police said the site lacked adequate safety equipment.
This is the fourth fatality among Metro workers in four months — three others had died at Electronics City, Kanakapura Main Road and Cantonment. Around 4,800 workers are involved in the ongoing 72km Phase 2 of the project.
Activists say most accidents are caused by negligence, ill-trained staff and inadequate supervision. In fact, a majority of the victims are migrant workers. Most safety guidelines are in English or Kannada and many workers find it difficult to understand them.
Activist Samuel Sathyaseelan, who filed a PIL in the high court in 2012 for improving conditions of Metro workers, said: “The HC had constituted a monitoring committee which had to function till completion of all construction work related to Metro projects. It comprises labour commissioners, BMRCL representatives, contractors, sub-contractors and representatives of BMRCL trade union or those of the workmen.”
“In fact, the court had requested the committee to meet once a month to ensure all grievances/complaints are resolved. The panel has to address the grievances of workmen related to non-compliance of labour laws and take measures to resolve the same. But it has not met in the recent past,” he claimed.
Most Metro corporations in the country have formed safety cells to prevent workers’ deaths. A senior BMRCL official said they are mulling a dedicated safety cell at the headquarters, which will monitor the safety conditions of Metro workers at sites. “We are following precautions as per the safety manual. We have issued an instruction to all contractors to ensure safety of workers at all sites. Engineers should also ensure all workers wear protective gear.” However, he said the worker at Cantonment had died due to a vehicle accident and others were accidental falls.
In Electronics City, an iron beam from a support frame had fallen and killed a 24-year-old worker last November. A 34-year-old Metro worker had died after falling from a pillar near Kanakapura Main Road in January.
Get the app