Abstract
The research investigation focused on labour management and its impact on waste control at building construction sites in Owerri, Imo State. The study aimed to address issues related to material wastage and waste control by examining the effectiveness of labour management, waste control practices, and their impact on project costs. The research also sought to evaluate the existing labour management policies on construction sites in Owerri. To achieve these objectives, a field survey was conducted, employing a questionnaire-based data collection method. A total of 300 questionnaires were administered during case studies conducted at selected construction sites in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The data analysis revealed that material wastage primarily occurs during the storage and handling of materials on construction sites, often exacerbated by inadequate labour supervision and management. This inefficiency negatively affects both client plans and contractor profits. The findings emphasized that material wastage varies across sites and sources, with a higher incidence during the construction phase. The employment of professionals was identified as a significant factor in minimizing material wastage. The study concluded that implementing effective waste management practices, particularly during construction, is crucial for mitigating the adverse effects on project outcomes. As a recommendation, the study suggests the integration of waste management principles into the curriculum of building and civil engineering programs in various higher education institutions.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
The management of labour on a construction site is among the various procurement options employed in the project delivery process. Historical records indicate that it is the oldest procurement system, dating back to the colonial era in Nigeria. Widely recognized and considered crucial in numerous countries, this system is characterized by a developer planning and organizing the project delivery process, overseeing design, planning, resource procurement, and construction. It involves the use of client-employed supervisory staff and labour, distinguishing it as an in-house approach, where the client's staff, as opposed to the contractor's staff, executes the project activities. Notably, labour management is valued in the construction industry, particularly in Nigeria, for its ability to avoid high staff strength and overhead costs. The term “procurement system” denotes the process of executing and delivering a project, outlining the responsibilities and contractual obligations of the parties involved. Ojo (2019) defines procurement as the various combinations of design and construction phases that establish the organizational structure for project implementation. Maizon (2013) emphasizes the challenge faced by clients in selecting a procurement method, noting the diverse factors influencing construction projects and the unique needs of different clients. He highlights the variability of construction projects, asserting that no single procurement method can universally suit every project. Construction projects hold great significance, especially in developed countries where they are prioritized as key indicators of a nation's development. These projects progress through stages of conception, design, and actual construction. The conceptual process is initiated by a potential owner articulating their needs and requirements in a brief to a professional. During the design stage, professionals translate the initial concept into a spatial form that economically satisfies the owner's requirements. Construction site consists of unwanted materials produced or incidentally by the construction. This includes building materials such as mortar, nails, electrical wires, as well as waste originating from sure preparations such as dredging materials, tree stumps, and rubble. Construction waste may contain asbestos and other hazardous substance which are dangerous to human health. Chadwick (2012) viewed that materials as one of the resources usually required for the construction of physical infrastructure. He adds that the cost profile of materials forms about 51% by cost of construction, the quality of materials used and the management of materials waste in building projects cannot be achieved without adequate labour management as the management of this materials are of paramount importance. Obviously, the control of quality of materials used can be save from materials wastage. It is generally an accepted phenomenon that not all the materials requested and delivered to construction sites are used for the purposes for which they are ordered.
Finally, in the construction stage, the conceived design is realized in practical terms to fulfill the project brief.
- STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Materials wastage isn't extra cost over and above the materials used, plus their handling as contained in the estimated price for the job. Building research establishment divides materials wastage into your distinct categories namely design wastage, taking off and ordering waste. Time, labour and serious attention are devoted towards the establishment of a labour and material management system that will be suitable for a particular project. A method used in Building for a particular project is expected to achieve the objective of the project in terms of cost, time and quality but this has not been the case. Time and cost overrun have been a major problem confronting the Nigerian construction industry and all attempts that have been made so far have not been able to yield the expected results problems have been established from various research work that have been carried out in the past as result of the use of labour management in execution of construction projects includes high staff strength time and cost overrun, poor quality delivery etc. Labour management and other method adopted in Nigerian Building Construction Industry have raises serious concern to the project stakeholders and the construction industry as a whole. The purpose of the study is to investigate labour management and its impact on waste control in building construction site in Owerri Imo state and its environs.
- OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The study has one main objective which is sub-divided into general and specific objective, the general objective is to examine labour management and its impact on waste control in building construction sites in Owerri Imo state; the specific objectives are:
- To examine the impact of labour management on waste control in building construction sites in Owerri
- To examine the relationship between labour management and waste control in building construction site in Owerri
- To examine the effect of labour management on material wastage on project cost in Owerri
- 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 labour management have any impact on waste control in building construction sites in Owerri Imo state?
- Is there any relationship between labour management and waste control in building construction site in Owerri?
- Does labour management plays any role in curbing material wastage on building construction site?
- RESEARCH HYPPOTHESES
The following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;
H0: There is no significant relationship between labour management and waste control in building construction site in Owerri
H1: There is a significant relationship between labour management and waste control in building construction site in Owerri
H0: labour management does not have any impact on waste control in building construction sites in Owerri Imo state
H2: labour management does have an impact on waste control in building construction sites in Owerri Imo state
- SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will be of importance to the project manager as the findings of this study seek to address the importance of labour management of building construction site, the study will be of importance to students of building technology who intend to embark on a study in a similar topic as the study will serve as a reference point to further studies. The study will also be of importance to students, teachers, academia’s, researchers and the general public as the study will contribute to the pool of existing literature on the subject matter and also contribute to knowledge.
- SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study covers labour management and its impact on waste control in building construction sites in Owerri, Imo state. But in the course of the study, there are some factors that limit the scope of the study which were beyond the researcher’s control;
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 has 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
Labour: all the effort and hard work that have been involved in doing a particular piece of work
Labour management: A labour management provides labour productivity reporting and planning capabilities.
Waste control: it is an approach where companies implement comprehensive strategies to efficiently manage wastes from their origin until their final disposal.
Building construction sites: A construction site is an area or piece of land where construction work is taking place. Sometimes construction sites are referred to as ‘building sites'
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.
