EXAMINING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTH &SAFETY MEASURES AMONG CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The implementation of health and safety measures in construction projects remains one of the integral parameters by which successful projects delivery can be determined. In order to maintain a healthy environment, the cost of health and safety are those costs incurred in order to comply with legal requirements with respect to accident prevention, and to improve health and safety conditions in all areas of the work performed. The lack of adequate provision of cost of H&S during the forecast of construction cost brings about poor attitude of construction contractors towards the implementation of H&S measures in construction sites in Abuja, Nigeria. The aim of the study is to examine the implementation of H&S measures among construction contractors in Nigeria. The study is a criteria based studies in which certain criteria were outlined for selection of 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, result shows that 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 but there are still a few medium risks work activities that are neglected. The study recommends that effective awareness on H&S measures is useful in order to improve its implementation on construction sites, and to reduce construction site accidents.