BMC Issues Construction Safety Guidelines For Developers Ahead of Monsoon

As the monsoon fast approaches, the Building Proposals Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a circular to all developers. It noted that developers to make all necessary efforts at construction sites to prevent disasters or disease outbreaks.

The circular was sent to developers, all development sites and their head body, the Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry.

The BMC's move comes in response to the three site cave-ins were reported last year. The BMC has now mandated that builders should avoid excavation during the monsoon until safety measures are implemented on site.

These measures are to be supervised by the safety officers and structural engineers. The goal is to prevent accidents on construction sites and nearby areas.

In addition to excavation work, the BMC has also laid down guidelines for other civil work. Builders' structural engineers, geotechnical engineers, and safety officers are asked to make sure of the stability of safety nets, barricading, machinery, scaffolding and cranes.

Developers have also been directed to raise barriers around all excavation sites with safety precautions. Locations prone to landslides should be closely monitored. The architect and safety officer are responsible for confirming that all required safety precautions have been taken.

The DP department has also directed developers to make sure that there isn't any buildup of water or garbage near construction sites to stop mosquitoes from reproducing and transmitting dengue and malaria.

Developers or the public health department of the BMC are required to schedule routine blood tests and medical examinations for labourers working on the project. Additionally, the developers have been asked to provide mosquito nets to all workmen and hire a private company or the BMC ward staff to treat for pests.

All hoardings, steel structures, tower cranes, parking structures, transit camps, and temporary buildings have to be safe and structurally sound. If they are weak, work should be done on them.

Earlier this week, BMC also issued a directive requiring that all existing road-related construction be finished by May 31 in order to guarantee that traffic is ready by June 7.