Govt Gives Directive on Construction Projects Amid Heavy Rains
The National Construction Authority (NCA) has issued a mandate to halt all construction work when it starts raining nationwide.
This decision, aimed at emphasizing safety due to increased risks from heavy rainfall, was announced by the authority’s Executive Director, Engineer Maurice Akech, in a directive on Saturday, May 4.
Engineer Akech emphasized, “All outdoor work must stop immediately when rain starts, particularly for tasks at heights or deep excavations. Workers should find shelter indoors or in safe areas until the weather improves.”
Akech continued, “Safety must always be the top priority over work progress during severe weather.”
Due to the risks outlined by the NCA, including soil instability, increased accident risk, and potential lightning strikes, strict flood prevention measures have been implemented.
The risk of lightning strikes is a significant concern due to the presence of metal on construction sites, particularly around tall structures such as cranes and scaffolding. These strikes can cause electrocution, fires, or explosions.
Parents are advised to keep children and unnecessary people away from construction zones and potentially unstable structures.
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Furthermore, construction workers are being educated on safety measures specific to rainy weather, such as using personal protective equipment (PPE) and emergency response strategies.
The NCA strongly warns against working at heights or in deep excavations without proper safety measures in place. Excavations must be carefully monitored during rainy times to avoid slope failures and collapses due to increased soil moisture.
To enhance structural safety, Kenyans are advised to frequently inspect and reinforce temporary structures such as scaffolding and shoring to ensure they can withstand heavy rain and strong winds. Additionally, those involved in construction projects should schedule concrete pouring when there is little precipitation to maintain the quality of the concrete mix.
These guidelines follow recent incidents, including a fatal event in Ruaka, Kiambu County, where one person died and three others were hurt when a perimeter wall collapsed due to heavy rainfall. As a precaution, residents in affected rental properties have been advised to leave.
Similarly, in Nyamira County, several people were reported trapped in a multi-story building following heavy rain, highlighting the risk of buildings and infrastructure failing during extreme weather conditions.
Govt Gives Directive on Construction Projects Amid Heavy Rains