SAFETY PRACTICES OF NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION SITE WORKERS: A Case Study of Benin-City and Gombe Metropolis

Abstract

Safety practices on Nigerian construction sites cannot be overemphasized because it plays a huge role in the timely deliverability of projects and indeed the wellbeing of the construction site worker who bears the direct impact of construction site hazards which often most times is life threatening in the event that safety practices on construction sites are not strictly adhered to. The research objectives were to establish that construction workers attitude towards safety practices is determined by their understanding of construction site risks, safety rules and general work procedures; also to determine the extent of the relationship between poor safety culture and increased rate of unsafe acts in the Nigerian construction industry. It focused on workers of medium sized Construction Companies and specialized contractors operating within Benin City, South-South Nigeria and Gombe Metropolis, NorthEast Nigeria. The duration of study is between March 2017 and November 2018. Primary and secondary data were both collected through comprehensive literature review, personal interviews, structured questionnaire and observations. Five hundred (500) questionnaires (250 each administered within the study areas) were distributed to workers of construction companies to access their perception and understanding of safety practices on construction sites workplaces. Ranking on five point scale was used to analyze the questionnaires and to measure a range of opinions from most important to least important. The results shows Lack of safety training was ranked the highest; while Shortage or absence of safety equipments was ranked the lowest cause of workers' accidents on construction sites. 65% of the respondents affirmed that their companies practice safety programs while 35% affirmed otherwise. Amongst the Benefits of practicing Safety culture on construction sites, reduced accident occurrence is ranked the highest while the keeping of accidents and near misses records in relation to improving safety and preventing construction sites accidents ranked lowest. As a good safety practice on construction sites, it is the responsibility of the construction company and indeed its workers to identify unsafe construction site practices and conditions, and then try to correct them.

Dominant Factors Influencing the Implementation of Safety Protocols in Building Project Sites

“…As such, a working environment where safety is prioritized is created by a culture that values safety. Onoyan-usina et al (2019) substantiate that safety is ingrained as a fundamental value in an organizational culture that prioritizes safety. This cultural dimension wields considerable influence over the adoption of safety protocols on construction sites.…”