The concerns for cost, quality and timely delivery of projects have been in existence from time immemorial, whereas the passion for these should be extended to safe execution of site works by the construction participants, as safety of life is very paramount. However, high level of commitment that is essential for the safe execution of site works has become a taboo. Hence, a plethora of accidents takes place on the site ranging from falls from height, contact with working tools, vehicle-related, slip and trip, collapse, exposure to harmful substances, to lifting and handling object accidents. It is pertinent to know that, responsibility for accidents on site cuts across all project participants (clients, consultants, contractors, workers), as well as the construction site environment. Recognition of the construction participants and site environmental factors as agents of accident is the focus of this research. Through extensive review of literature, a copious number of factors were identified and subsequently grouped under five factors as client-related, consultant-related, contractor-related, construction workers-related, and construction site-related. However, there has been a dearth of research in the grouping of accident contributing factors. The identification and understanding of these factors will go a long way in mitigating construction accidents, coupled with proven measures taken in positively addressing them. Efforts to prevent these causative factors include inter alia elimination of hazards from design, effective safety management, adequate planning of activities and employment of seasoned professionals by the client. The contractors are to embark on staff safety auditing, set up safety committees, conduct regular training for staff, use innovative technology, uphold housekeeping and report accident occurrence, while strict adherence to safety regulations must be adopted by all construction operatives.
Within the focus of the final outcome of any construction activity is the realisation of minimal cost, timely delivery and quality oriented structure. Nevertheless, above all is the safe execution of the construction site activities, which is a matter of life, most especially lives of the operatives. The study focuses on the identification of the common types of accident, the level of occurrences, as well as the causes of the identified accidents. Through an extensive literature review, eighteen (18) different types of accident were identified, which were subsequently classified into seven (7) categories. Moreover, well-structured questionnaires were administered to construction participants, with the data analysed descriptively. The outcome revealed the four categories of frequently occurring accidents to be: contact with working tools, vehicle-related, slip and trip, and falls. Some crucial inclusions in the list of causes are failure of edge protection, safety standard violations, overloading of scaffold and crane, wrong placement of ladder, loss of control over body movement, failure in the designs, absence of warning signs, over speeding of vehicle, wrong selection of working tools, non-usage of personal protective equipment, improperly installed equipment, horseplay, and poor housekeeping. However, by exploring the accident process, recommendations based on the findings are put up.
Occupational accidents have been ravaging the Nigerian construction industry, the sector accounted for 39.24% of the whole occupational accidents between 2014-2016. The effects of occupational accidents can be noticed in the productivity of the construction organizations, making the sector contribute to only 4% of the GDP of the Nigerian economy. Therefore, the need to strengthen health and safety in construction sites is indispensable. This study aimed to explore the roles of construction organizations in revitalizing the health and safety of the Nigerian consecution industry. The questionnaire was used to solicit information for this study. The 300 questionnaires were distributed and 247 were returned, representing 82.33 percent, therefore, considered for the analysis of the study. SPSS software was used in the analysis of the study. The finding of the study revealed that among the top three methods considered essential to revitalizing occupational health and safety are; education and training on health and safety, compliance with health and safety regulation and laws, and enforcement of health and safety rules on the employees. The study recommends more commitment toward health and safety from construction organizations, professionals, government agencies, and employees.
The concept of sustainable development integrates social, economic and environmental dimensions. There are various models that have been developed to monitor and ensure the sustainability concept are adapted in the construction process applicably. However, most sustainability studies that discussed in construction projects are more focus on environmental aspects rather than economics aspects and social aspects. Meanwhile, only a few studies are discussed on social aspects. Therefore, this study tries to investigate the perception of industry on the implementation. This study is conducted to identify the level of agreement to the implementation of social aspects in sustainable construction and the barriers faced. The social factors (accessibility, health, safety, human rights, education, equity, occupancy design requirement, culture, integrity and stakeholder’s involvement) and the barriers (government enforcement, awareness, knowledge and experience, skills, involvement and cost factors) have been identified through literature review. The methodology used was quantitative methods through the formulation of questionnaires distributed to respondents with experience and experts in sustainable construction industry such as Green Manager (Architect, Engineer, and Quantity Surveyor), Town and Regional Planner and academician. The findings obtained through the mean score analysis have found that, the highest three (3) social factors on the agreement of the implementation of social aspects in sustainable construction which are the factors of occupancy design requirement, education and factor of involvement. Whereas the highest three barriers to the implementation were weaknesses of government enforcement, cost factors and stakeholder engagement in sustainable construction. However, there is no association between the numbers of years of respondent’s experience with the selection of social factors measured by using gamma test. Thus, it can be concluded that not all aspects agreed by the respondents will influence the actual execution that they will perform in the actual situation on site.
Information concerning occupational accidents are far less accessible in developing nations, and where data do present, they are mostly undependable. The serious problem is under-reporting. Various types of occupational injuries information are sometimes not reported to the appropriate authorities by the construction organizations. Also, the regulatory authorities with the statutory obligation to ensure all occupational accidents are reported, perform below standard. The aim of the study therefore is to explore the method of improving the reporting of occupational accidents in the Nigerian construction industry. Literature review of under-reporting of occupational accidents was conducted, thereafter, a field survey with 300 structured questionnaires were distributed, to solicit information from the construction professionals in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria. 235 questionnaires were returned, therefore considered for the analysis of the study. The relative importance index was used in the analysis of the data with SPSS software. The study found that an increase in health and safety awareness will enhance employees and organizations in the recording and reporting of occupational accidents. The study suggests that organizations and employees should keep with internal accidents recording systems whether or not legal obligations to report them are in place, the reasons being for humanitarian, economic, management and industrial relations.
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