‘Work injury rate in construction four times higher than all other sectors combined’

AMMAN — As the construction sector witnesses a “high” number of work-related injuries, stakeholders highlighted the need to enhance collaboration to firmly implement safety measures at work sites.

They agreed that injuries happen due to poor abidance by safety and health standards, lack of training among workers, limited oversight and control, and the absence of a comprehensive framework for the application of safety standards for the construction sector.

Speaking at a session organised by the Social Security Corporation (SSC) on the implementation of safety and health standards in the constructions sector, SSC Media Director Musa Sbeihi cited 45.1 work-related injuries for every 1,000 workers in this sector covered by social security insurance.

The figure is nearly four times higher than injury rates in all other combined, which reach 11.3 injuries for every 1,000 workers.

A total of 42,739 workers in 3,717 construction institutions are registered in the SSC, while the overall number of workers in the sector is estimated at over 140,000. 

This means that injury rates are even higher among workers not covered by social security insurance, the official added.

Firas Shatnawi, head of the SSC’s workplace injuries and professional safety department, said 1,876 work injuries occurred in the construction sector in 2014, while the number of accidents increased to 2,022 in 2015, comprising almost 14 per cent of all registered work-related injuries among SSC subscribers.

He added that subscribers working in the construction sector between the ages of 20 and 24 accounted for the highest number of injuries (around 28 per cent of all injuries), followed by the 25-29 age bracket (around 24 per cent).

The majority of injuries were caused by falls from heights (38 per cent) and falling of objects (15 per cent).

Meanwhile, Shatnawi said the corporation has started efforts in 2014 to inspect the commitment of construction establishments to safety regulations and to rank entities accordingly. 

The SSC would provide guidance for entities on improving their performance, he noted, and many establishments have shown “remarkable” commitment in this regard.

Establishments that do not abide by safety regulations will have to pay 3 to 4 per cent of work-related injury dues, instead of the 2 per cent.

For his part, Ahmad Yacoub, vice president of the Jordanian Construction Contractors Association, cited a lack of safety and health specialists to monitor workplaces, adding that most Jordanians in this field work abroad.

While he emphasised the need for contractors, project owners and safety specialists to better enforce safety regulations, Yacoub suggested physical examination of workers before they start working in any project, so contractors would prevent labourers, for example, with weak eyesight from doing certain tasks.

Meanwhile, he said project owners have the right to enforce safety measures in their agreements with contractors, adding that certified and licensed construction contractors are categorised into levels and specialties, including buildings, dams, electricity facilities and infrastructure.

Representing the Health Ministry, Ali Shaban said the ministry’s hospitals deal with a growing number of injured construction workers, adding that many of them have health issues prior to the injury, such as pulmonary diseases.