Scaffolding & guardrails missing, work stopped at two edu centres

Noida: Days after two labourers died at an under-construction site in Sector 142, the factories department on Tuesday sealed major construction works at two educational institutions after finding "extremely serious and life-threatening" violations.According to an official involved in the inspection, the violations were found at Vidya Jeevan Coaching Centre and GL Bajaj College of Technology and Management, both in Greater Noida.
"At Vidya Jeevan Coaching in Knowledge Park 1, construction was found underway across the building even as students were seen studying outside and moving close to active construction zones without proper barricading or segregation," assistant director of the factories dept, Ram Bahadur, told TOI.No scaffolding was installed and working platforms lacked guardrails and toeboards, and there was no display of permissible load or worker strength. Workers at heights were operating without safety nets, full-body harnesses, or lifeline, officials found."At GL Bajaj College in Knowledge Park 3, the inspection found non-standard scaffolding, absence of guardrails and fall protection systems, and workers at heights without certified safety belts or harnesses," said Bahadur.Dust and debris were scattered across the premises, creating trip hazards. Electrical wires were exposed, fire-fighting equipment was insufficient and standard PPE was not provided to workers, he added.Bahadur stated work at these sites will remain halted until a recognised technical institution conducts a comprehensive and impartial safety audit, and submit a detailed compliance report along with safety certification. "The restriction was imposed to ensure that when work resumes, there is no possibility of any accident or loss of life," he said.He added the department will continue to carry out inspections across Noida and Greater Noida's under-construction sites to take action against violators.