ASSESSMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AT CONSTRUCTION SITES: A CASE STUDY OF LAGOS AND ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

The Construction Industry is an important part of the economy in Nigeria and is often seen as a driver of economic growth especially in developing countries. Owing to its labour intensive nature, construction works provide employment opportunities for a wide range of artisans and professional personnel. Despite its importance, construction industryis associated with high rates of accidents, ill-health and safety risks on construction sites in Nigeria (using Lagos and Abuja as case studies). Therefore, this study intends to investigate the assessment of occupational health and safety in the construction industry in Lagos and Abuja Nigeria. One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were distributed to the following respondents:site managers, supervisors and workers at twenty on-going large construction sites (more than ten storey buildings) based in Abuja and Lagos. The answers given by the respondents were measured on the basis of Five Point Likert Scale and converted to Relative Importance Index, RII.The probability of falling from height were ranked eight (8) making it to be ranked as the most important hazard consequence while both bullying and stress were ranked one (1) as the least important hazard consequence in the site manager’s ranked occupational health and safety hazard consequence table.In addition, risk information is communicated through toolbox meetings, informal discussions, and investigation revealed that, the regulatory system, the individual system and the work environment have impact on health and safety management. Furthermore, it was identified that site location, site figuration, procurement system and complexity of design contribute to challenges hampering health and safety risk management. Therefore, in Nigeria, the study recommends that there is a need for the key project stakeholders such as client, design team consultants and government to be involved in managing health and safety risk on construction sites.