Safety and health measures items, confirmation table review for five preceding construction types/Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism establishes Working Group
In order to encourage the appropriate payment of safety and health expenses for construction work, a review of a "confirmation table" for safety and health measures items has begun with the participation of both workers and subordinates. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism established a working group (WG) as a forum for examination. In light of the fact that it is difficult to secure funds in the private construction sector, the ministry proposed to prepare a check list within the fiscal year for five types of work: formwork, pipes, interior finishing, exterior scaffolding, and housing. The policy is to promote the creation and spread of other types of work as necessary, referring to the confirmation table for the preceding type of work.
The first meeting of the "Working Group on Confirmation Tables for Safety and Health Measures and Standard Quotations" consisting of academics and construction industry organizations was held in Tokyo on the 11th (pictured).
It is assumed that the confirmation sheet will be used at the time of contracting between the main contractor and subcontractor. The purpose is to eliminate the gap in recognition of safety and health measures between subordinates and organize the way of thinking about cost sharing.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism created a database of approximately 1,700 items covering safety and health measures, and presented a list classified and organized according to the chapters of the Industrial Safety and Health Act as a starting point at the first meeting. For each type of work, a "study team" will be created in which specialized construction industry groups and prime contractors participate, and the items to be entered in the checklist will be carefully examined.
Shibaura Institute of Technology professor Kogo Kanisawa, who chaired the WG, emphasized, "It is the responsibility of the industry to firmly determine safety and health costs within the industry." He also appealed, "It is necessary to secure the funds with the understanding of the ordering party and the end user."
The advanced work types were selected mainly in the construction field. Compared to the civil engineering field, which is mainly public works, there are many types of work in the construction field, and it has been pointed out that safety and health expenses have not penetrated, especially in the repair of private houses and condominiums. Consideration will be given first to work types that are said to have many problems in distributing the necessary expenses, and the aim is to spread it throughout the industry. At the next meeting, we will deepen consideration of measures to publicize the necessity of safety and health expenses to private purchasers and end users.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism positions the creation of a confirmation list as the first step toward appropriate payment of safety and health expenses. As the second step, in fiscal 2023, the company plans to start preparing and disseminating a "standard estimate" that clearly states the breakdown of safety and health expenses.
