Health And Safety On Construction Site
(A Case Study Of Imo State)
Ensuring health and safety on a construction site is paramount, encompassing a spectrum of measures to mitigate risks and safeguard workers. It involves implementing robust protocols for hazard identification, risk assessment, and the provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Regular safety inspections and training sessions bolster awareness and adherence to safety standards among construction personnel. Additionally, fostering a culture of communication and accountability among workers and management fosters a proactive approach to addressing safety concerns promptly. Emphasizing compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices further enhances the overall safety framework, promoting a secure working environment for all involved in the construction process.
Building construction sites are most times very hazardous due to the bulk and types of materials and equipment employed towards the realization of building project. To this effect, various forms of accidents abound at various stages of construction and in various operations. This project work aims at investigation and evaluation, the response of construction firms/managers to health safety and welfare requirements on building construction sites in Imo State. Different methods such as survey approaches using questionnaire, site visitation and interview were adopted to realize the aims of this work. The method of data collection and analysis adopted are the statistical table (percentage) and bar-chart respectively. The results of their finding indicates that most of the construction firms and contractors in Imo State do not abide to the statutory regulations governing safety at work, while most of them do not consider the need to educate and train workers on safety practices. This work reveals the causes of site accidents and has suggested the remedial measures to be adopted. These methods include among others abiding to; the health and employing professional on building sites. With this building industry Imo State will be free from accidents and hazards.
Title Page
Approval Page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of contents
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Background to the study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 2
1.3 Aim and objectives of the study 4
1.4 Significance of the study 5
1.5 Research questions 6
1.6 Scope and delimitations of the study 7
1.7 Limitations 9
1.8 definition of terms 9
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Review of literature 12
2.1 Building site hazard 12
2.2 Review of accidents on building sites 15
2.3 Accident investigation 18
2.4 Accident investigation procedure 19
2.5 The need to control accident on the building construction
sites 21
2.6 Accident prevention 22
2.7 Health and safety requirements 30
2.8 Formation of safety committees 37
2.9 Objective of the safety plan 39
2.10 The work environment 44
2.11 First aid 46
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Research design and methodology 48
3.1 Design of the study 48
3.2 Area of the study 49
3.3 Population of the study 49
3.4 Sample of the study/technique 49
3.5 Instrument for data collection 50
3.6 Validation of the instrument 50
3.7 Reliability of the instrument 50
3.8 Method of data collection 51
3.9 Method of data analysis 52
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Data analysis and discussion 55
4.1 Data Presentation 55
4.2 Analysis of data 70
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Summary 83
5.2 Conclusion 83
5.3 Recommendations 84
References 85
Appendix 87
Questionnaires 88-90
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Health and safety is an important issue in construction works. A building construction site is a construction site where major construction activities take place, requiring the issue of health and safety to be taken into serious considerations. Hazards on building construction sites need to be defined and eliminated through effective health and safety measures.
Hazards as one of the characteristics nature of work on a construction site raises the issue of health and safety on building construction site as one of the numerous problems facing the building industry in Imo State. This problem may have directly or indirectly or negatively affected both human and material resources and may have also brought about perpetual agony and hardship to various families that are victimized by fatal industrial hazards.
Health, as defined by oxford dictionary of current English is the state of being free from illness or injury; a person’s mental or physical condition.
Webster’s dictionary of English language puts it that health is the state of fitness of the body or mind, it is the general condition of the body or mind with reference soundness and vigor.
Safety as defined by the Oxford dictionary of current English is the condition of being safe While Webster’s encyclopedia dictionary of English language defined “Safety” as the condition of being safe from risk or danger. It is the quality of averting or not causing injury, danger or loss.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Most building construction workers are exposed to some hazards through enormous power tools, falling of construction materials, defective scaffolding and electrical defaults. The building construction sites in Imo State harbor a greater number of quacks and unformed labourers and contractors who do not care about the health, safety and welfare of their workers. Moreover, these contractors are not registered with the government and the contractors registering body. These groups of contractors only seek for their own individual welfare and they are abound mostly in rural areas of Imo State and go mostly for minor building works whose contracts are most cases initiated orally. These quack contractors are predominantly, illiterates but comprise experienced operators who are retired to retrench in the civil service construction firms and their apprentices.
According to Eze (1990) to affect the health and safety measures on building construction sites, the associated hazards must be recognized and monitored with the view to adopting adequate and satisfactory protection measures to safeguard the lives of workers.
Accidents that occur during construction and demolition activities result in injury, mostly to employees on site. Accidents can occur even before works begin during survey and investigatory phase of a project and after works have been completed, because of faulty design or construction causing death or injury to those engaged on maintenance work and to members of the public.
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
AIM
The major aim of this project research is to critically examine and report on measures to be adopted to ensure that health and safety are regularly and adequately maintained on building construction sites in Imo State. The efforts of management staff in giving instruction to subordinates and setting down rules which should be monitored for strict compliance on the part of construction firms and operatives on building construction sites to be improved in Imo State.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the awareness of construction personnel on safety provisions in the various contract forms and regulations used in Imo State.
Also to ascertain the extent of implementation of the safety provision contained in these contract forms and to analyze the extent of influence of some safety parameters based on types of accidents and injuries, their causes and means of reducing them with a view to identifying areas where attention is most urgently needed in safety planning.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study will be of immense importance to the construction companies in not only Imo State but other states as well and in Nigeria as a whole. This is because the study will open their eyes to the various measures that can be used to ascertain the various causes of hazards, their effects and solutions to their when it occurs on the building construction sites.
This project will help to reduce the bad reputation and perception of the Nigeria construction industry, mostly in Imo State in particular as a result of shoddy performance during project execution and repair.
The health and safety of workers on construction sites in Imo State has to be monitored form time to time during construction to minimize or prevent injuries to persons during constructions processes.
The study will be significant to students who might wish to use it as a basis for further research. It will serve as a spring board form which further research might take-off. The data already gathered and documented in this project will serve as a source of information to students.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
For the purpose of this research work, the researcher has formulated the following research questions and the question will be answered in the cause of the study:
The causes of accidental hazards on construction sites.
How to identify the causes of hazards and then initiate measures to prevent a reoccurrence.
How can accident be investigated on construction sites, is it often necessary to conduct two or more interviews with witnesses?
What are the needs to control accidents on the building construction industry?
What are the remedies to accidents and injuries on building construction site?
What are the statutory aspects of safety? (employer – employee- liability).
What are the health and safety requirements on a construction industry?
What are the causes of accidental hazards on construction sites?
How can accident be prevented?
1.6 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
SCOPE
The scope of this work is to critically study and reveal the various accidents that occur frequently on site and also suggest the possible remedy to check same on building site in Imo State.
DELIMITATIONS
This project work covers the followings areas:
1. The problems of health and safety on building construction sites, considered from many perspectives, in a view to maintain a reasonably high standard of health and safety on building sites.
2. The duties of management in the issue of health and safety of workers on the building sites, with particular emphasis and references to building construction sites. It discuses and consequently educating the uninformed in construction, the need to imbibe safe working practices to reduce risk of accidents and generally enhance good health and welfare of personnel on the construction sites.
3. The examination of the effects of non-compliance to safety regulations and causes of the non-compliance
4. It recommends where appropriate the possible solution to the problems
1.7 LIMITATION
Due to the economy, the research study is limited to evaluate health and safety on building construction site, using Imo State as a case study. The researcher is compelled to limit it to this, due to time and financial constraint.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
HEALTH: The Oxford dictionary of current English language defines health as the state of being free form illness or injury; a person’s mental or physical condition.
Collins gem English language dictionary defines health as the state of soundness of the body. It is the condition of the body.
Webster’s Encyclopedia dictionary of English language put it that “health” is the state of fitness of the body or mind with reference to soundness and vigor.
SAFETY: The Oxford dictionary of current English language defines safety as the condition of being safe.
Webster’s encyclopedia dictionary of English language defines safety as the conditions of being safe from risk or danger. It is the quality of averting or not causing injury, danger or loss.
SCAFFOLD: Scaffolding is a kind of undulating ladder which is used as a temporary elevated frame work for the supporting of materials and workers during a construction work, specifically for buildings and other kinds of larger structures. Scaffolding is ideally suitable for construction sites, as they are adjustable in height, giving the workers an ability to stand on them have the capacity to hold many materials and persons.
MANAGEMENT: H.R. Light (1968 – 1971) in his book “the nature of management” defines management as the body of knowledge about managing. He went further to describe management as the process of planning, organizing, directly, and coordinating men, materials, machines and money so as to secure the optimum achievement of objectives.
Koontz and O’Donnel (1976) in their book, “management”: “a system and contingency analysis of managerial function” describes management as a field of study which used a body of knowledge in the co-ordination of human and material resources for the attainment of set organizational goals or in accomplishment of set objectives.
In its simplest form, management is the process of getting things done whereby a suitable environment is created or designed for effort to be organized to accomplish desired goals.
SHARE PROJECT MATERIALS ON:
Health And Safety On Construction Site:
Health and safety on a construction site are of utmost importance to ensure the well-being of workers, prevent accidents, and maintain a productive work environment. Here are some key principles and practices to consider:
- Risk Assessment: Before any work begins, conduct a thorough risk assessment of the site to identify potential hazards and risks. This assessment should be updated regularly as conditions change.
- Safety Training: Provide comprehensive training to all workers on site, including orientation for new workers. This training should cover safe work practices, proper use of equipment, emergency procedures, and the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ensure that all workers have access to and are using the necessary PPE, such as hard hats, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, gloves, and steel-toed boots.
- Site Organization: Maintain a well-organized and clutter-free site to prevent tripping hazards and make it easier for workers to move around safely.
- Fall Protection: Implement fall protection measures for tasks that are conducted at height. This may include guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems.
- Scaffold and Ladder Safety: Inspect and maintain scaffolding and ladders to ensure they are stable and safe to use. Train workers on proper setup and usage.
- Electrical Safety: Ensure that electrical systems and equipment are properly installed and maintained. Keep power tools and cords in good condition, and avoid overloading circuits.
- Hazardous Materials: Properly store and handle hazardous materials on site, and provide workers with information on the potential risks associated with these materials.
- Emergency Planning: Develop and communicate emergency evacuation plans and procedures. Make sure workers know how to respond to fires, injuries, or other emergencies.
- First Aid: Have a well-stocked first aid kit on site and ensure that there are trained personnel who can administer first aid in case of injuries.
- Regular Inspections: Conduct regular inspections of the site to identify and address potential hazards promptly. This includes equipment, scaffolding, and other structures.
- Communication: Establish clear lines of communication between workers, supervisors, and managers to report safety concerns and discuss potential improvements.
- Health and Hygiene: Provide facilities for workers to maintain personal hygiene, such as washrooms and clean drinking water. Address sanitation concerns promptly.
- Heavy Equipment Safety: Ensure that operators of heavy machinery are properly trained and certified. Maintain and inspect equipment regularly.
- Noise and Dust Control: Implement measures to control excessive noise and dust levels, which can be harmful to workers’ health.
- Health Monitoring: For tasks that expose workers to potential health hazards (e.g., asbestos, chemicals), establish regular health monitoring programs.
- Lifting and Manual Handling: Train workers in proper lifting techniques and encourage the use of mechanical aids for heavy lifting.
- Site Security: Control access to the construction site to prevent unauthorized entry and potential safety hazards.
- Regular Training and Updates: Keep workers updated on safety procedures and regulations through regular training sessions and communication.
- Compliance with Regulations: Ensure that the construction site is in compliance with all relevant local, regional, and national safety regulations.
Remember that promoting a culture of safety requires the commitment and cooperation of everyone involved on the construction site, from workers to supervisors and management. By prioritizing health and safety, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and create a more productive and positive working environment.