TABLE OF CONTENT
Title page
Approval page
Dedication
Acknowledgment
Abstract
Table of content
CHAPETR ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of problem
1.3 Research questions
1.4 Objective of the study
1.5 Significance of the study
1.6 Scope of the study
1.7 Definition of terms
CHAPETR TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 introduction
2.2 conceptual review
2.3 empirical review
CHAPETR THREE
3.0 Research methodology
3.1 sources of data collection
3.3 Population of the study
3.4 Sampling and sampling distribution
3.5 Validation of research instrument
3.6 Method of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1 Introductions
4.2 Data analysis
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Recommendation
Appendix
Abstract
The construction industry is a dynamic and innovative industry that delivers building and infrastructure for all aspects of commercial and domestic activity. This dynamic and innovative industry faced with safety challenges on a project-by-project and day-by-day basis. Hence, this trust of this study is to examine accident prevention techniques in Construction Company. Sets of closed-ended questionnaire were distributed to the relevant respondents such as site manager, site safety officer, contractor, project manager and others. The results from the completed questionnaires form a database for the descriptive and ranking analysis on accident prevention technique in Construction Company. The finding of this study reveals that accidents are generally causes by unsafe act and unsafe condition besides others sub causes which are indirectly cause to the accidents happen. Accidents can be result from combination of contributing causes one or more than that. The main causes of the construction accidents are the human element, poor site management, failure to use personal protective equipment’s and unsafe equipment used in construction works.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background of the study
One cannot under estimate the input of the construction industry in the development of a nation, being among the largest industries that significantly subscribe to nation’s development (Babalola et al., 2015). The industry is found to have contributed 4.18% to the Nigerian economy (Tanko et al., 2017), as it produces commercial, educational, government, industrial, medical, military, religious and residential buildings. Nevertheless, activities ranging from site clearance, excavation, concreting, block laying to roofing are embarked upon on site, such activities which involve the use of a plethora of tools, equipment, and machinery which pose a great danger to the operatives on the building construction site (BCS). Besides, the nature of the construction site coupled with the high platform at which workers operate, and the weather conditions that these workers are exposed to serve as threats to their safety. However, such accidents are identified to include falls from heights/falling hazards (Orji et al., 2016), explosion (Hovden et al., 2008), vehicle-related accidents (Edwards and Nicholas, 2002), fire outbreak (HSE, 2006), electrocution/electrical incidents (Nkem et al., 2015), roof construction falls (Weeks, 2011), contact with electric current (Umeokafor et al., 2014), and fall of heavy objects during lifting. Consideration must be given to the fact that different types of accident happen at different construction sites, as types and causes of an accident have been identified by various scholars (Williams et al., 2018; Radmin, 2017; Asanka & Ranasinghe, 2015; Socias et al., 2014; Maloney, 2012; Jørgensen et al., 2010; Gambatese et al., 2008; Baksteen et al., 2007; Bellamy et al., 2007; Chi et al., 2004; Haslam et al., 2004). However, accident is considered as one of the obstructive agents of construction activities, as its occurrence interrupts site works, disables construction workers, reduces contractors’ profit, destroys equipment, and extends project delivery period. Rahim (2008) defined an accident as an event that which is out off any planning, desirable, expectation or controlled. People would normally pay more attention to the accident that result in injuries (Hinze, 1997). An accident does not means that it is necessarily cause an injury but it also destroy the tools and materials. Accident is an undesired event, which results in physical injury or property damage, usually resulting from contact with a source of energy above the ability of the body or structure to withstand it. According to Ridley (1986), 99% of the accidents happen are due to either unsafe acts or unsafe conditions or both. All accidents should be of concern regardless of the nature of the loss or damage. Precaution should be taken to avoid and minimize the future accidents. The statistics from NSTP (2000) shown that the increase number of construction accidents by 5.6 percent from 4,406 cases in 1995 to 4,654 cases in 2003. In addition, the fatality rate has increased by 58.3 per cent from 60 cases in 1995 to 95 cases in 2003. The fatality rate from construction accidents are among the highest compared to the overall industry. Despite the documented positive gains brought by the construction industry, there are negative attributes which are associated with construction work. Construction work is dangerous, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates at least 60,000 fatal accidents a year on construction sites around the world that is one in six of all fatal work related accidents. The global trade union federation puts the figure much higher at 108,000 with construction responsible for 30% of all work related accidents. In Britain for example a study report 2010/11 by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states, the construction industry accounts for 27% of fatal injuries to employees and 9% of reported major injuries. In Nigeria, collapsing buildings while still in construction process trapping construction site workers has become a common occurrence, take for instance the killing of two workers and many injured at Spaki in Mombasa in April 2009 when a storey building in construction curved in burying alive many of the workers in a heap of concrete and steel ruble. (Construction risk management. Construction Review, Vol 18, 2006)
The Internal Labour Organization (ILO) in an effort to improve and maintain safe working environment at work places has held general conferences through the years since 1937 deciding and adopting conventions and recommendations geared towards health and safety in construction works. One such is convention C167 cited as the Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 which revised and adopted the Safety Provisions (Building) Convention of 1937.This Convention carries provisions which apply to all construction activities. Accordingly, each Member Country which ratifies this convention undertakes that it will, on the basis of an assessment of the safety and health hazards involved, adopt and maintain in force laws or regulations which ensure the application of the provisions of the Convention through technical standards or codes of practice, or by other appropriate methods consistent with national conditions and practice. Articles 8 and 10 of the convention require that the principal contractor, or other person or body with actual control over or primary responsibility for overall construction site activities shall be responsible for coordinating the prescribed safety and health measures and, in so far as is compatible with national laws and regulations, for ensuring compliance with such measures.
- STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Construction work is considered to be one of the most hazardous industrial activities in the country. The rate of injury in the construction industry is higher than any other industry. Every year many people fall victim to injury, harm and even death caused byaccidents on construction sites. Control of accident is vital in the construction industry employers are required to access risk and take practical measures to protect, ensure safety and health of their workers, minimizing risk by means of continuous surveillance and monitoring of where accidents are likely to occur Odetoyinbo O.A (1986). Lucy et al (1999) views accident as an unplanned and unexpected occurrence which upsets a planned sequence of work resulting to loss of production, injury to personnel, damage to plant and equipment and eventually interrupting production flow. The suffering caused by such accidents and illnesses to workers and their families is incalculable. In economic terms, the ILO has estimated that 4% of the world’s annual GDP is lost as a consequence of occupational diseases and accidents. Employers face costly early retirements, loss of skilled staff, absenteeism, and high insurance premiums due to work– related accidents and diseases. Yet many of these tragedies are preventable through the implementation of sound prevention, reporting and inspection practices. (Engineers against poverty report, 2008).
- OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The study has one main objective which is further broken down to general and specific objectives, the general objective is to ascertain accident prevention techniques in Construction Company; the specific objectives are;
- To examines the effectiveness of safety management systems in ameliorating accident occurrence in construction companies
- To ascertain if there is any significant relationship between safety procedure and occupational safety in Nigeria construction companies
- To examine the role of government in ensuring that construction companies workers adhere to safety rules and regulation among construction workers
- To proffer suggested solution to the identified problem
- RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;
- Does effective safety management systems ameliorating accident occurrence in construction companies?
- Is there any significant relationship between safety procedure and occupational safety in Nigeria construction companies?
- Does government play any role in ensuring that construction company’s workers adhere to safety rules and regulation among construction workers?
- RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
The following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;
H0: There is no any significant relationship between safety procedure and occupational safety in Nigeria construction companies
H1: There is a significant relationship between safety procedure and occupational safety in Nigeria construction companies
H0: Construction company’s contractors do not have health and safety management systems.
H2: Construction company’s contractors do have health and safety management systems.
- SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The findings of this study will help bring to the attention of the stakeholders in the building construction industry and more so to the building construction firms the importance of occupational health and safety culture in work places, in this case the construction sites. The study also brings to light the fact that clients in a project do contribute significantly towards the implementation of occupational health and safety measures in their building projects when such requirements are included the tender documents. The study will generally contribute to the body of knowledge in the subject of health and safety in the building industry sector.
- SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study covers accident prevention techniques in construction companies in Nigeria, but in the course of the study, there are some factors that limit the scope of the study;
AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher have to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
FINANCE: The finance available for the research work does not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the researcher has other academic bills to cover.
- OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease. This includes: The promotion and maintenance of physical, mental and social wellbeing of workers, Prevention among workers of ill-health caused by the working conditions, Protection of workers in their employment from risk resulting from factors adverse to health, Placing and maintenance of the worker in an occupational environment adapted to his physical and psychological equipment.
Safety is identifying, evaluating and controlling workplace hazards and includes measures, methods or techniques or process to prevent human exposure to unsafe work practices, physical or even chemical agents. This may involve: Improving working conditions and safe methods of work, Reasonable hours of work, Provision of personnel protective equipment, Provision of first-aid and medical facilities.
Welfare is the provision of facilities to maintain the health and well-being of individuals at the workplace.
Accident is an unexpected, unwanted occurrence which interrupts or interferes with the orderly progress of work in an establishment by causing bodily injury to a person making him unfit to resume duty due to partial or total disablement or even death. It can also cause damage or loss to property, plant, materials or the environment.
Near miss is any incident that could have resulted in an accident. Research has shown that, approximately, for every ten ‘near miss’ events at a particular location in the workplace, a minor accident will occur.
Hazards is a potential condition which might be converted into an accident. It is a state having potential to injure a person or impair ones health.
Risk is the likelihood of a substance, activity or process to cause harm
1.9 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows
Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study its based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.
