Managing risks having severe impacts

Challenges in managing risks in construction projects

Constructions companies have a huge responsibility when it comes to managing project safety and health; however their systems and processes don’t adequately support them to record, communicate and manage these risks effectively.

For example, traditionally contractor licenses, certifications, and drug testing results are kept in contractor files and tracked through spreadsheet. A spreadsheet that records licensing and certification expiry does not provide automated reminders for renewals leading to possible lapses. Companies struggle to keep track of important data such as insurance validity of sub-contracted workers, license validity or status of relevant training to workers.

How Nirmanith helps manage risks

The risks change throughout the project lifecycle and the controls need to keep pace. Nirmanith offers comprehensive solution for managing risks whether it be resulting out of site incidents, bad weather, equipment breakdown, cost overrun or delayed delivery from supplier.

Nirmanith helps companies to engage all the employees and subcontractors in environment safety planning and implementation. Early design decisions and assumptions affect health and safety because they influence the choice of materials and construction methods. As illustrated in Fig 1, the Nirmanith can help reference past projects for making such choices. It also has provision for designers to communicate residual safety risks so that these can be addressed in the safety plan. Similarly, health risks inherent to the site condition (e.g. asbestos, contaminated land) as identified by site office are shared with safety officer while making the safety plan.

Nirmanith helps to schedule, track and manage safety meetings, health checks and trainings for high-risk tasks, first-aid etc. before work is commenced. It also tracks contractor insurance validity and alerts when renewals are due. Its alert mechanism helps helps prevent accidents through improving communication between the contractor’s field force and management.

Nirmanith helps develop meaningful inspection items based on past experience and research. The safety officer while performing routine checks could register information pertaining to each contractor in the database, such as non-compliance, severity, priority. The system providesa consolidated view of open issues and can quantify performance against defined parameters. Risks resulting out of incidents, equipment breakdown can be mitigated through system triggered alerts and email notifications to the concerned people. Nirmanith’s workflow, expedites closure of action items.