Assessment of Implementation of Safety Measures by Small and Medium Sized Construction Firms in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Studies have revealed that construction firms lack proper implementation of safety measures on construction projects in Abuja, Nigeria. Therefore, construction works all over the world pose serious threat to workers and non-workers on site in most developing countries such as Nigeria. This study assessed the level of implementation of safety measures by small and medium sized construction firms (construction SMEs) in Abuja with a view to improving the safety performance of construction firms. This was achieved through: identification of the effective safety measures required on construction sites; examination of barriers to the implementation of safety measures on construction sites; and suggesting strategies for improving the level of implementation of safety measures by construction SMEs. The use of structured questionnaire was employed for collecting data from selected construction SMEs in Abuja. Data were collected from 50 randomly selected construction SMEs with a response rate of 92%. Relative Importance Index (RII) and Mean Item Score (MIS) were employed for data analysis. It was revealed that the use of personal protective clothing (MIS = 4.54) was the most effective safety measure required on construction sites. It was also found that ineffective management commitment (MIS = 4.63) was the most severe barrier to the implementation of safety measures by construction SMEs. The study also found that provision of personal protective equipment (RII = 0.94) was the most effective strategy for improving the level of implementation of safety measures on construction sites. It was however concluded that the level of implementing safety measures by construction SMEs in Abuja is low. Therefore, this study recommended that construction stakeholders should encourage, ensure, and promote the proper implementation of safety measures in construction SMEs. This will assist to curb the challenges inhibiting safety measures implementation so as to improve the safety performance of construction SMEs.