The preparedness of any organization to minimize the frequency and severity of work related accidents, ill-health, and damage to property is demonstrated by the adoption of a health and safety management system. By its nature, a health and safety management system through its provisions and demands, not only highlights the impact of poor health and safety standards on organizational performance but also encourages greater awareness of health and safety issues and responsibilities. Quite unfortunately, in Nigeria (as in many developing economies) statutory regulation, capable of ensuring the adoption and implementation of health and safety management systems by organizations, seems inadequate or ineffective. The impact of this, as demonstrated by the outcome of survey and literature review, is a general lack of awareness on important health and safety issues among Nigerian construction workers. Equally, there is an inability and or unwillingness by organizations to pay adequate attention to health and safety management. Consequently, the overall health and safety standard, operational capability and corporate image of Nigeria's construction industry have been affected.
A link exists between the level of investment in infrastructure and economic growth. However, it has been shown that in spite of huge amounts earmarked for infrastructural projects, the desired outcome/benefits are not attained in many cases. This has been attributed to poor adherence to project management principles in the conception, design, and execution of these projects. This paper highlights poor project conception and definition, poor budget and stakeholder management, as well as inadequate monitoring and evaluation as major causes of these failures. This can be minimized through the integration of good project management principles in the planning, design and execution of projects, supported by a robust monitoring and evaluation procedure.
Comparatively, the construction industry has, on average, a higher rate of fatal and major injuries, work induced illhealth and damage to properties than other industrial sectors; and this is a source of concern to industry stakeholders. The study showed that although subcontracting could be contributory to an increase in workplace accidents in the construction industry, contractual aspects of subcontracting arrangements (such as the power imbalance that exist along the client-customer interface) also present opportunities for improvements in health and safety management (HSM) practices in organisations. This conclusion was reached after an analysis of a questionnaire survey (with a 27% response rate) that assessed the attitudes and perception to health and safety issues.
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