Pre-Qualification of Selecting Construction Project Contractors Using Health and Safety Criteria

Abstract

Contractors, among other construction stakeholders, are vital in achieving the set goals of a project. Adequately engaging a capable contractor is an important task for a client. This study aims at determining the reasons for clients contending with contractors that are not committed to health and safety (H&S). The study was conducted through a literature review, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to 286 construction stakeholders in the Nigerian construction industry. Cronbach alpha was used to test the reliability of the questionnaire used for data collection. Mean scores (MSs) were adopted to determine the major factors that influence clients’ selections and factor analysis was used to cluster variables of high inter-correlations. Findings from the survey reveal that H&S is not a clients’ goal or a project value hence, H&S is not viewed as a vital pre-qualification criterion for contractor selection. This results in a poor checklist concerning contractors’ quality assurance and inadequate verification of contractors’ H&S history. Therefore, appointing non-compliant H&S contractors. The findings provide information on the influence clients have respecting H&S as a prequalification criterion and towards construction workers’ H&S. This will enable construction stakeholders to make the right decision in the pre-qualification of contractors.

Impediments to Construction Safety Improvement

“…For example, not providing welfare facilities inter alia restrooms, medical facility, food canteens, baths may lead to unhealthy and unsafe work behaviour. Stakeholders' influence is documented in several studies such as Smallwood and Haupt (2007), Musonda et al (2012), Wu et al (2016), and Kukoyi et al (2021) as important in achieving an effective H&S performance on construction sites. Hence, healthy and safe management of a project lies in stakeholders' positive H&S influence.…”

“…However, project site safety in emerging economies is low due to inadequate safety practices (Awwad et al, 2016). Koehn et al (1995) (Kukoyi et al, 2021). Tam et al (2004) note the lack of PPE, poor H&S awareness and inadequate funds for safety are barriers to H&S performance.…”

“…Regrettably, the industry still grapples with H&S challenges, which further results in high fatality rates in construction operations. Kukoyi et al (2021) and Umeokafor and Isaac (2015) identified construction H&S problems being faced by stakeholders and the lack of H&S standards and regulations. Research evidence indicates that little knowledge exists on the vital components that inhibit improvements in project safety in Nigeria.…”