PWT03 Research Essay Danah Abdulkareem (1719692)

The Problem of Building Collapse and Solution

On 24th of April 2013, commercial building in Bangladesh was collapsed. At least 547
people died and around 2,500 were injured with many still missing. It is considered to be
the deadliest garment-factory accident in history (Corbett 2017). There are several
causes of building collapse. The first cause of building collapse is design error (Corbett
2017). Another cause is poor construction workmanship (Corbett 2017). The final cause
is poorly skilled workmen (Oke 2011). Building collapse can result in several harmful
effects. It can lead to loss of lives (Oke 2011). Moreover, building collapse can also lead
to making the environment unhealthy (Oke 2011). Deviation of the building can also be
caused by building collapse (Chendo and Obi 2015). Therefore, it is important to analyze
this issue and how it can be addressed. This essay will discuss the problem of building
collapse, and it will propose and evaluate two solutions: training workmen well and
various means of motivation of workmen. After which the essay will arrive at a conclusion.
The effects of building collapse are severe. The first effect of building collapse is economic
impact (Corbett 2017). According to Corbett, (2017) Bangladesh is losing garment orders
after many industrial accidents. Moreover, companies are losing money. For example,
the Walt Disney Company could no longer manufacture its branded merchandise in
Bangladesh (Corbett 2017). Furthermore, many have been rendered homeless with loss
of countless properties (Oke 2011). Another effect is loss of materials and capital
investments (Chendo and Obi 2015). For example, “components and materials are
damaged beyond re-use” (Chendo and Obi 2015). In addition, “capital investments are
not recoverable, leading to bankruptcy and high economic implications to the nation’s
economy” (Chendo and Obi 2015). The final effect is loss of life, property. According to a
newspaper survey conducted by Arayela and Adam (2011), about 217 people lost their
lives between 1974-2001 from building collapses (Chendo and Obi 2015). Additionally,
companies lose huge sum of capital.
There are several ways to address the issue of building collapse. First of all, training
workmen well (Oke 2011). For instance, "the personnel manager of building firms should
employ site management education scheme charged with the responsibility of organizing
workshops and other forms of trainings for site personnel on regular basis" (Oke 2011).
"Training workmen well should be employed for building works especially those working
on the structural members" (Oke 2011). This solution has many advantages. One of these
advantages is that it will result a strong and safe buildings. This might decrease the
number of building collapses. Another advantage is saving people’s lives. As a result, the
number of deaths may decrease. On the other hand, there are some disadvantages
associated with this solution. One disadvantages is that it takes time. Workmen may take
very long time to train well and become ready. Another drawback is that it costs money.
For example, going to places for training to train well needs money to have equipment
and tools for training. Another possible solution to address this problem is various means
of motivation of workmen (Oke 2011). For instance, giving of incentives, good sick pay
and better salary (Oke 2011). This solution has a lot of advantages. One advantage is
PWT03 Research Essay Danah Abdulkareem (1719692)

that it can increase the will of workmen (Oke 2011). Moreover, workmen will work good
and well. Also, they may like their job and love to work. Another advantage is enhancing
excellent quality of workmanship (Oke 2011). This may result in a strong and good
building. Although there are some advantages, there are also some disadvantages. One
disadvantages is motivate workmen in a bad way. For example, motivates them to destroy
buildings or motivates them to not work well. Another disadvantage is may no one know
how to motivates well. For instance, motivates workmen in different way that would be
not good to the building and might not work.
While it appears that workmen with the appropriate training is beneficial for many reasons,
the preferred choice would be various means of motivation of workmen because the
advantages seem more significant and because it doesn’t take time. Another reason why
people may prefer various means of motivation of workmen is because workmen might
like the job more and build in a good way. Also, because it may increase the will of
workmen. In contrast, training workmen well costs money. In addition, it takes very long
time to train workmen well. In view of the above, it appears that the better approach to
solve the issue of building collapse is various means of motivation of workmen.
To summarize, this essay has analyzed the problem of building collapse and has
proposed and evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of the two solutions, which
are training workmen well or various means of motivation of workmen. Researchers and
experts show that the issue discussed in the essay can be eliminated if one of these
solutions is applied. The second solution seems to be more preferred for the reasons
mentioned. This solution doesn’t cost money. Furthermore, enhancing excellent quality
of workmanship. It is a gradual solution that is easier and more practical to implement.
Reference List:
Chendo and Obi 2015, 'Building Collapse in Nigeria: The Causes, Effects, Consequences
and Remedies', viewed 24 March 2018,
http://www.eajournals-org/wp-content/uploads/Buildin-Collapse-in-Nigerie-The-Causes-
Effects-Consequences-and-Remedies.pdf.
Corbett 2017, 'Bangladesh and Reasons Buildings Collapse', viewed 24 March 2018,
http://erm-academy.org/publication/risk-management-article/bangladesh-and-reasons-
buildings-collapse
Oke 2011, 'An Examination of the causes and effects of Building Collapse in Nigeria',
viewed 24 March 2018,
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/264853502_AN_EXAMINATION_OF_THE_CA
USES_AND_EFFECTS_OF_BUILDING_COLLAPSE_IN_NIGERIA
PWT03 Research Essay Danah Abdulkareem (1719692)