Research Article

Level of Awareness and Adherence to Health and Safety Regulations in Construction Industry in Kwara State of Nigeria

1 Deparment of Quantity Surveying, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria,
2 Department of Quantity Surveying, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
3 Department of Quantity Surveying, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria,
* Corresponding author: adebiyi.rt@unilorin.edu.ng
Published: Dec, 2020
Pages: 179-188
Views: 44
Downloads: 18

Abstract

Investigation into causes of accidents and ill-health on construction sites in Nigeria revealed poorhealth and safety performance. Construction workers are approximately three times more likelyto suffer from fatal injuries than those in other sectors. This has earned the industry the reputationof being a dangerous or highly hazardous industry. This study therefore evaluates extent to whichconstruction organizations are aware and adhere to Health and Safety Regulations with a view toenhancing safe work environment. Data for the study were collected from construction firmsregistered with Kwara State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Nigeria. The ministrykeeps the data base of all registered contracting firms within the state. This revealed a total offifty-two (52) firms. The use of questionnaire was adopted for data collection. Out of 52 copies ofquestionnaire administered to respondents, 35 copies were retrieved representing about 67%response rate. The analytical tools used were simple percentage and Relative Importance Index(RII). The findings from the analysis revealed high level of awareness of health and safetyregulations (87%). Though few of the regulations were been adhere to: provision of adequate sitesecurity (RII value of 4.35), provision of first aid facilities (4.29) and working at height safetyprecautions (4.18). Use of health and safety file and workers undergoing medical test prior towork were ranked last. The study also unearthed that compliance with health and safetyregulations could reduce accidents on construction sites (4.86), raise the organization image(4.51), improve productivity and reduce project delay (4.43). It was concluded that there werehigh level awareness of health and safety regulations in the construction industry but the level ofadherence is relatively low.

References

  1. Adehiyi, R. T. (2018). Assessment of Health and Safety Information Communication on Construction Sites in Lagos State, Nigeria. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Quantity Surveying, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife.
  2. Agwu, B. K. and Akpoghome, T. C. (2013). Occupational health, safety and environment (HSE) trend in Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Science, Management and Engineering Research, 2(1), 24-29.
  3. Agwu, M. O. and Olele, H. E. (2014). Fatalities in the Nigerian Construction Industry: A case of Poor Safety Culture. British Journal of Economics, Management and Trade, 4(4), 431-454.
  4. Chinda, T. & Mohammed, S. (2008). System dynamics modeling of construction safety Culture. Journal for construction management, 15, (2), 1-4.
  5. Diugwu, I. A., Baba, D. L. & Egila, A. E. (2012). Effective regulation and level of awareness: An expose of Nigeria's construction industry. Open Journal of Safety Science and Technology, 2, 140-146.
  6. Dodo, M. (2014). The Application of Health and Safety Plan in Nigerian Construction Firms. Jordan Journal of Civil Engineering,8 (1): 81-87
  7. Hawkins, K. (2002). Law as last resort. Prosecution decision-making in a regulatory agency. Oxford University Press.
  8. Health and Safety Executive. (2014). Steps of risk assessment. A brief guide to controlling risks in the workplace.www.hse.gov.uk.
  9. Idoro, G. I. (2011). Comparing Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management efforts and Performance of Nigerian Construction Contractors. Journal for Construction in Developing Countries Vol. 16 (2), 151-173.
  10. Idubor, E. E. & Oisamoje, M.D. (2013). An Exploration of Health and Safety Management Issues in Nigeria's Efforts to Industrialize. European Scientific Journal, 9(12):154-169
  11. International Labour Office (ILO). (2005) Global estimates of fatal work related diseases and occupational accidents. World Bank Regions. International Labour Organisation, Geneva.
  12. Kaijage, T. (2013). Occupational health and safety: building workers compensation in Nigeria. Peak Journal of Public Health and Management. Vol. 1(2), pp 16-23.
  13. Kamau, E. (2009). Assessment of compliance on occupational health and safety measures in industries in Thika Municipality, Kiambu County, unpublished BSc. Thesis, Department of Planning and Management, School of Environmental Studies, Kenyatta University.
  14. Kolo D. N. (2015) Safety issues involving workers on building construction sites in Nigeria: An Abuja study. Master of Science Thesis in Civil Engineering, Eastern Mediterranean University, Gazimagusa, North Cyprus.
  15. Kwoffe, E. (2015). Contribution of Unique Features of Mass Housing Projects to Project Team Performance. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Department of Building Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Unpublished PhD Thesis.
  16. Lingard, H. And Rowlinson, S. M. (2005) Occupational Health and safety in construction project management, UK Taylor & Francis.
  17. Okcala, O. G. (2009). "Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Assessment in Construction Industry," Journal of Civil Engineering Construction, 26-28 August,2009. University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
  18. Olatunji, O.A., Aje, I.O. and Oguloye, O. (2007). Evaluating Health and Safety Performance of Some Major Nigerian Construction Sites. In R. Ruparathna and Milford, R. (Eds.) Proceedings of CIB world Building Congress, Cape Town Conference Centre, Cape Town, South Africa 4th – 18th May, 2007.
  19. Olutuse S.O. (2014) "A study of safety management in the Nigerian construction industry," IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM), 16(3), Ver. V, pp.01-10, Mar. 2014, www.iosrjournals.org.
  20. Phoya, S. (2012). Health and safety risk management on building construction sites in Tanzania: the practice of risk assessment, communication and control. An unpublished master thesis submitted to Chalmers University of Technology.
  21. Saunders, M. N. K., Lewis P. and Thornhill A. (2012). Research methods for business students Pearson Education Limited United Kingdom
  22. Umeokafor, N., Isaac, D., Jones, K., & Umeadi, B. (2014). Enforcement of occupational safety and health regulations in Nigeria: An exploration. Proceedings of the 1st International Scientific Forum, 3, 92-103.
  23. Vitharana, V.H.P. De Silva G.H.M.J.S. and De Silva S. (2014). Health hazards, risk and safety measures in construction sites – A review study. Engineer, The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka 28 (3), 35-44.
  24. Whittingham, R. (2014). The Blame Machine: Why Human Error Causes Accidents. Oxford, Butter-Heinemann.
  25. Windapo, A. (2013). Relationship between degree of risk, cost and level of compliance to occupational health and safety regulations in construction. Australian Journal of Construction Economics and Building, Vol. 13 (2), 67- 82.
How to Cite

Adebiyi, R. T., Babalola, O., Amuda-yusuf, G., Rasheed, S. A., & Zubair, M. A. (2020). Level of Awareness and Adherence to Health and Safety Regulations in Construction Industry in Kwara State of Nigeria. Kaduna State University Environmental Sciences Journal, 1(2), 179-188. https://doi.org/10.66884/kesj.2020.mv8sc1qk

R. T. Adebiyi, O. Babalola, G. Amuda-yusuf, S. A. Rasheed, and M. A. Zubair, "Level of Awareness and Adherence to Health and Safety Regulations in Construction Industry in Kwara State of Nigeria," Kaduna State University Environmental Sciences Journal, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 179-188, December 2020. doi: 10.66884/kesj.2020.mv8sc1qk

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn