APPRAISING THE FACTORS AFFECTING HEALTH AND SAFETY IN SMALL MEDIUM AND LARGE CONSTRUCTION SITES IN OYO STATE

APPRAISING THE FACTORS AFFECTING HEALTH AND SAFETY IN SMALL MEDIUM AND LARGE CONSTRUCTION SITES IN OYO STATE

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BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

However, the construction industry is often regarded as one of the most hazardous sectors of the industry anywhere in the globe. According to the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (2011), a construction site is the location of one in every six of the workplace accidents that result in fatalities. In addition, it was reported that there are at least 60,000 fatal incidents that take place on construction sites throughout the globe each and every year. Keller and Keller (2009) and the Injuries Board came to the same findings (2009). When one considers the negative effects that accidents might have, it is clear that the management of construction safety should be a true concern for all parties involved in the construction industry. The cost of labour contributes between 40 and 65 percent to the total cost of a project, which contributes to the perception that the construction industry is labour heavy (Rao, Sreenivasan & Babu, 2015). As a result, increased human involvement in the production stage is going to be necessary because of the labour-intensive nature of the industry. According to Smallwood and Haupt (2002), accidents are considered to be an inevitable part of the building production process. Given that the construction industry is inherently dangerous, compliance or noncompliance with safety practices will result in the loss of the impact that safety regulations have. One of the characteristics that sets the construction industry apart from others is its singularity, which is one of the factors that contributes to the high number of fatal accidents. According to Diugwu, Baba, and Egila (2012), Okolie and Okoye (2012), Idubor and Oisamoje (2013), and Umeokafor, Umeadi, and Jones (2014), the number and magnitude of accidents occurring and recorded on construction sites in Nigeria highlighted a low level of safety practices. Okolie and Okoye (2012) were also of the opinion that this was the case. On the other hand, contractors on work sites do need to adopt adequate safety related systems for the supply and management of the work environment system and human behavior. Safety is ultimately implemented by contractors on work sites. Although the idea of total safety management is still relatively new in the construction industry, it is gaining popularity due to its capacity to incorporate all perceptions, psychological, behavioral, and managerial factors. This is despite the fact that the concept is still relatively new. On the various project sites, there has been a significant rise in the number of injuries and illnesses that have been recorded. This is an unacceptable number when considering into account all of the regulatory requirements and control mechanisms that are in place for construction projects; as a result, there is a significant risk to the health of construction employees while they are on the job. Therefore, preventative measures need to be done in order to detect these causes and eliminate them as appropriate.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Concerns over occupational safety have rapidly risen to the forefront of the construction industry. Many construction organizations all around the globe are introducing safety, health, and environmental management systems into their workplaces in order to lessen the number of accidents and illnesses that take environment on construction sites, as well as to make the workplaces safer overall (Rafiq, Dongping and Syed, 2008). According to Muiruri and Mulinge (2014), health and safety on construction sites focuses on the physical as well as the mental well-being of employees on construction sites as well as those individuals whose health is likely to be negatively impacted by activities related to construction. It is of the utmost importance to all parties involved in the project, including companies, workers, and governments. In light of this, health and safety are not only a humanitarian but also an economic problem that calls for appropriate management supervision.

The majority of developing nations do not place a high importance on health and safety when it comes to the execution of construction projects, and the employment of safety measures during construction is seen as an additional cost (Mbuya and Lema, 2004). When it comes to gauging the performance of projects, health and safety has been singled out as a metric that should be considered in addition to the more conventional indicators of success, such as cost, quality, and duration. The human dimension, law, and financial considerations are the reasons for considering safety and health into consideration (Adan, 2004). Jannadi and Bu-Khamsin (2002) provided a comprehensive review of the significant research conducted on construction site safety between the years 1976 and 1993. They came to the conclusion that site safety was associated with factors such as site management and control, site supervision and leadership, site safety program, and the influence of the general contractor on subcontractors.

The majority of construction industry safety training programs rely on traditional classroom methods, which do not engage employees to an adequate degree (Haslam, 2004; Haslam et al., 2005; Wilkins 2011). Mostafa et al. (2016) made the argument that interactive safety training approaches that promote conversation, feedback, and action may lead to greater learning gains. In a line of thinking that is analogous to this, Shittu et al. (2016) and Shittu (2016) Out of the five core and modern H&S practices that have been identified (Education and Training, Communication, H&S Planning, Workers' Consultation and Participation, and Company's Commitment), H&S Education and Training is the practice that has the highest likelihood of improving the safety performance of construction firms. The existing literature on health and safety focuses mostly on the education of employees in big construction companies located in industrialized countries. This disregards concerns on the health and safety construction of employees working for medium-sized construction companies, which, according to research conducted by Shittu et al., constitute a substantial percentage of the industry in Nigeria (2016). As a consequence of this, there is an issue with inadequate safety performance, which manifests itself as a greater risk of accidents, deaths, and injuries to employees who are employed on construction sites. However, there is a paucity of research in the field of construction literature regarding medium construction firms. Medium construction firms are typically smaller than large construction firms; however, collectively, they are responsible for a significant portion of the construction volume and educate a significant number of workers regarding safety concerns. In light of this, it is of the utmost need to address this void by conducting an investigation on the elements that influence health and safety at small, medium, and large construction sites in the state of Oyo.

1.3     PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The main purpose of this study is to appraising the factors affecting health and safety in small medium and large construction sites in Oyo state.. The study has the following specific objectives.

1. To identify the components of the H&S training practices capable of enhancing safety awareness among construction workers.
2. To examine the level of compliance of firms to the provision and implementation of the identified components of H&S practices capable of enhancing safety awareness among construction workers.
3. To investigate factors affecting health and safety in small medium and large construction sites in Oyo state.
4. To propose strategies for reducing the rate of accidents, injuries and fatalities on construction sites.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

The research is guided by the following questions

1. What are the components of the H&S training practices capable of enhancing safety awareness among construction workers?
2. What is the level of compliance of firms to the provision and implementation of the identified components of H&S practices capable of enhancing safety awareness among construction workers?
3. What are the factors affecting health and safety in small medium and large construction sites in Oyo state?
4. What are ways for reducing the rate of accidents, injuries and fatalities on construction sites.

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

HO1: Level of compliance of firms to the provision and implementation of the identified components of H&S practices capable of enhancing safety awareness among construction workers is low

HO2: There is no significant  factors affecting health and safety in small medium and large construction sites in Oyo state .

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The research would be of major value to the construction industry as an organization and to the country as a whole in order to enhance their employee's health and safety standards and, as a result, cut their costs. If this research is carried out successfully, recommendations will be made regarding the ways in which employers, the government, and trade unions can work together to improve health and safety, thereby serving as a catalyst to influence other industries and generally making the nation better as a whole.

The study would be of great assistance in demonstrating how the numerous acts that have been passed are beneficial and ought to be put into action. If the findings of the research are validated and acknowledged, then maybe they will also have relevance for the country. In a purely empirical sense, the research will add to the overall body of knowledge and serve as a reference material to both academics and students who seek to do further student in a subject that is similar to this one.

1.7    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study borders on  appraising the factors affecting health and safety in small medium and large construction sites in Oyo state..  The study will further discuss  identify the components of the H&S training practices capable of enhancing safety awareness among construction workers and also examine the level of compliance of firms to the provision and implementation of the identified components of H&S practices capable of enhancing safety awareness among construction workers. The study is however delimited to selected small medium and large construction sites in Oyo state The respondents for this study will be obtained from Julius Berger and Feiseys Company, Ibadan, Oyo State. 

1.8    LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This research project, like all human endeavors, had some challenges that threatened to derail the study's completion. One of the reasons is that the time allotted for this work was so limited that the researcher did not have enough time to complete the task thoroughly. During data collection, the researcher also had to put forth extra effort to understand the respondents' interview schedules, several of whom fell into the incomprehensible age group. Also, there were financial and transportation constraints to deal with. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, interview).

1.9     DEFINITION OF TERMS

ACCIDENT: A sudden and unexpected event that cause injury or damage. Also means any unplanned and controlled event which results in damage whether through injury or disease to an employee, plant and equipment.

EMPLOYEE: Anyone who works for wages or salaries in the service of an employer.

HAZARDS: Is a source of risk that could result in damage or loss.

HEALTH: A state of being hale, sound or whole in body, mind and soul, that is from physical diseases or pain.

1.10 ORGANISATIONS OF THE STUDY

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the  review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study,  sample size determination,  sample size, abnd selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

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