MUMBAI: The BMC’s building proposal department should implement a professional safety license for Licensed Safety Officers (LSOs) for each high-rise development in the city. The special safety control guidelines recommended by a committee, as directed by the Bombay High Court, were approved by the state government and sent to the BMC on August 20.
In 2022 and 2023, there were incidents involving tower cranes that affected pedestrians. On February 14, 2023, a tragedy occurred at a residential construction site where concrete blocks fell from the 42nd floor onto an adjacent road, resulting in the deaths of two pedestrians.
The guidelines focus on crane operations, facade installations, and safeguarding surrounding areas. Currently, there are no specific regulations governing accidents in high-rise construction. The report highlights that neighboring plots, roads, and gardens often suffer damage from falling debris, vehicle collisions, and equipment failures.
The report mentions that over 4,000 buildings exceed 100 meters in height, with 47 surpassing 200 meters and 24 above 250 meters. The tallest structure is Lokhandwala Minerva at 301.6 meters, with another 416 proposals ranging from 150 to 331 meters in height, including one reaching 400 meters. The committee has recommended the appointment of LSOs at each site, who should be knowledgeable about machinery and present throughout the crane dismantling process. All high-rises over 120 meters should have a dedicated safety team responsible for equipment and crane operations, consisting of the LSO, an assistant safety officer, and two technical staff members.
The BMC should require a safety report and any violations from LSOs every six months during construction, including records of near-miss incidents. LSOs will be responsible for training the workforce and conducting periodic safety inspections. They must report any machinery failures or incidents involving cranes, the resulting dangers to life and property, injuries incurred, and the immediate corrective measures taken.
