Examining the implementation of health and safety measures among construction contractors in Nigeria

Abstract

The implementation of health and safety measures in construction projects remains one of the critical parameters by which successful projects delivery can be determined. In order to maintain a healthy environment, the cost of health and safety is the expense incurred to comply with legal requirements with respect to accident prevention and improve health and safety conditions in all areas of the work performed. The lack of adequate provision for H&S during the forecasting of construction cost brings about a poor attitude of construction contractors towards implementing H&S measures on construction sites in Abuja, Nigeria. The study aimed to examine the implementation of H&S measures among construction contractors in Abuja. The study is a criteria-based study in which certain criteria were outlined for selecting construction sites. The study employed the use of Safety and Health Assessment in construction (SHASSIC) in examining the implementation of health and safety measures among construction contractors, and the results show that the total SHASSIC score of the five sites visited is 63.40% which is a 3-star ranking. It was concluded that, H&S measures are documented and managed. However, there are still a few medium-risk work activities that are neglected. The study recommends that effective awareness of H&S measures is useful to improve its implementation on construction sites and reduce construction site accidents.