SURAKSHYA

Preventing Occupational Health Problems Among Manual Construction Workers in Nepal (Surakshya Project)

Overview

Manual construction workers are among the most vulnerable occupational groups in Nepal. Long working hours, heavy physical labour, unsafe working conditions, and increasing temperatures due to climate change expose workers to multiple occupational health risks, including heat-related illnesses, dehydration, injuries, and musculoskeletal disorders. Despite these growing challenges, occupational health remains an under-addressed issue, particularly within Nepal’s informal construction sector.

To address this gap, Nepal Development Society (NeDS), in partnership with the Danish Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (DASAM) and with technical collaboration from La Isla Network (LIN), is implementing a one-year pilot project aimed at improving the health, safety, and well-being of manual construction workers in Chitwan, Nepal. The project is supported through the Civil Society Fund.

Project Goal

To improve the health, safety, and productivity of manual construction workers by generating evidence, developing practical low-cost solutions, and strengthening awareness and collaboration among workers, employers, municipalities, and other stakeholders.

Major Activities

The project includes:

• Occupational health assessments among manual construction workers
• Workplace environmental assessments
• Stakeholder consultations and participatory workshops
• Development and pilot testing of practical low-cost interventions
• Awareness raising through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials
• Policy dialogue and dissemination of evidence to local and national stakeholders

Research Component

A major component of the project is the implementation of the research study:

Occupational Heat Stress and Health Risks Among Manual Construction Workers in Chitwan, Nepal: A Mixed Methods Cross Shift Pilot Study

The research examines how occupational heat exposure affects the health of manual construction workers during a full working day. It combines environmental measurements, physiological assessments, questionnaires, and qualitative discussions to better understand heat exposure, dehydration, work-related injuries, musculoskeletal problems, and workers’ experiences.

The study is expected to generate important evidence that will help develop practical interventions, strengthen occupational safety policies, and improve climate adaptation measures for outdoor workers in Nepal.

Expected Outcomes

The project aims to:

• Generate the first comprehensive evidence on occupational heat stress among manual construction workers in Chitwan.
• Identify practical and affordable workplace interventions suitable for Nepal’s construction sector.
• Increase awareness among workers, employers, and local governments regarding occupational health and heat-related risks.
• Strengthen collaboration among civil society, researchers, municipalities, and employers.
• Lay the foundation for larger occupational health programmes and future policy development in Nepal

Partners 

• Funding: This project is funded by Civil Society in Development (CISU), Denmark, through The Civil Society Fund (CSF).
• Implementing Partners
• Danish Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (DASAM), Denmark
• Nepal Development Society (NeDS), Nepal
• Technical Collaboration: La Isla Network (LIN)
• Local Collaboration: Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, Nepal

Target Groups:

• 100 manual construction workers
• Small-scale employers/contractors (Building, Road, Grill/Iron, Ready Mix/Concreate)
• Construction-related employer associations

Project Location

Chitwan District, Nepal

Project Duration

January 2026 – December 2026