Safety standards are important when building peoples’ homes. Who should be responsible for enforcing strict building codes – the government or the people who build the homes?”

Safety standards are important when building peoples’ homes. Who should be responsible for enforcing strict building codes – the government or the people who build the homes?”

Many feel it is important to abide by safety guidelines when constructing a residential unit. This has ensued a debate as to who should do it, some feel it should be the onus of the state, others believe it to be the prerogative of people.  

An overwhelming majority vouches for an active role of the state in this job. They are vested with the jurisdiction besides having resources to guarantee  proper adherence of pre-defined bye-laws. In case some are found disregarding those parameters, the state can take punitive actions like imposing financial penalties or even awarding imprisonments. It is said that fear of lawmakers prevails over all, and everyone tends to fall in line  with the state directives.

Moreover, undeniably, affording a  safe environment  to the populace is the state obligation. Thus, to see this through, they should act and  deliver their responsibility since if any mishaps occur resulting in injuries or loss of lives, they will be blamed for exercising slackness in affording protection to the populace, which may also precipitate into a huge financial burden they may have to extend to the affected people as a part of relief. 

However, some see that people themselves should comply with the prescribed safety parameters, for it is them who will be inhabiting those premises. Any disregard for pre-defined laws could jeopardize their safety and even result in loss of life. Even while buying a pre-constructed unit if they choose to overlook the guidelines, they may be red into buying an unsafe residential unit.  

Overall, although it may seem to some that the government should guarantee compliance of building laws, the role of people and builders cannot be overlooked. Eventually they are the ones who will have to bear the direct consequence of unwarranted events.