A literature survey has revealed that workers in construction sites are subjected to hazardous conditions all over the world and more so in developing countries. Kolkata, India is no exception. Three surveys namely workers' safety perceptions, managers' safety practices and cultural attitudes towards safety for both the workers and the managers have been conducted in four construction sites in and around Kolkata. The responses have been studied with statistical techniques like factor analysis, correlations and multiple regressions. The cultural dimensions were based on Hofstede (1991). It has been found that the awareness and belief of the workers have no significant correlations with the cultural dimensions. The workers have no safety related cultural ties and would be logical in accepting safety prescriptions. It has been further noted that workers' sensitivity to safety awareness is positively correlated with operational practices of managers. Therefore, enhanced safety training to managers which is comparatively easier would increase safety awareness among the managers which in turn would increase the safety awareness to workers.
Damaging factors such as airborne microorganisms, relative humidity, ventilation, temperature and air pollutants are the major concerns of the tropical climate of Kolkata, India where our study site, 172-year-old St. Paul’s Cathedral is located. In this context, the aim was to develop an equation to assess the management priority and which factors would be more responsible for potentially damaging the heritage building. The temperature varied from 28°C to 31°C, relative humidity was recorded 72% over a period of 14 days in the prayer hall whereas almost constant temperature (27°C) and relative humidity (55%) were recorded in crypt. Air movement was recorded 0.5–3 m s−1 in both crypt and prayer hall. Sulphur dioxide and oxide of nitrogen concentration were lower than the standard mentioned by the Central Pollution Control Board, India. The fungal load was lower inside the crypt (237 CFU m−3) than in the prayer hall (793 CFU m−3). Calculated potential damage for prayer hall and crypt was found to be 48.75% and 37.08%, respectively. Results revealed that microbial load and relative humidity were the potent factors for damage to the building. Continuous air movement, that is, ventilation and building design here played significant roles. The Heritage Conservation Committee can use the data for better management.
Sustainable development has various indicators like transport system, economy, land use etc. Quality of life is one of them and protection from noise, especially at workplace plays a prime role in determining it.Numerous literature surveys have revealed that the construction industry ranks second in terms of thestaff being exposed to loud noise and its consequent hazards. A similar situation was observed in a major infrastructure project in Kolkata, India. A questionnaire survey among the workers and a 3D simulation model was created to assess the noise levels. The results revealed that the perceived noise levels were significantly high and exceeded the limits set by concerned authorities. This warranted actions to reduce noise levels. To achieve this, two alternate simulation models were created with altered acoustic properties. The results of these simulations reduced noise to identical levels, which were lower than the limit set. And hence, it was concluded that lower noise levels could not be achieved and was proposed that adopting either of the two would fit the purpose.
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