Examination of the Application of Health and Safety Plan on Construction Sites in Lagos State, Nigeria (Published)
The construction industry is an important part of the economy in many countries and is often seen as a driver of economic growth especially in developing countries. Owing to its relatively labour intensive nature, construction works provide opportunities for employment for a wide range of people skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled. Despite its importance, construction sites are considered risky with frequent and high accident rates and ill-health problems to workers. However, knowledge on health and safety management and related factors on construction sites in Lagos State is not well documented. This study was therefore undertaken to examine the current practice of application of Health and Safety Plan during project implementation. In pursuing this objective, a descriptive case study research design was used where 32 construction project sites in Lagos State were selected through random sampling. A total of one hundred and twenty eight (128) copies of questionnaire were administered to participants with years of experience on construction management in Lagos State, Nigeria. Data obtained based on snowball and random sampling technique were analysed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21 using Mean Scores and Relative Importance Index (RII). The significance of each of the associated variables as impacted on construction workers health and safety practices on buildings project were determined using Independent Samples Test, Mann-Whitney U Test. Descriptive outcome of the statistical analyses showed a high prevalence need of safety practices. The findings of the study established dissatisfaction with effective use of health and safety plan and its implementation among site operatives because workers find it difficult to adapt to as it was against their traditional practices(RII=0.776), unethical practice of workers due to human attitudinal peculiarities (RII=0.766),inadequate engagement of safety managers on sites (RII=0.764), inadequate engagement of safety managers and ineffective supervision on site(RII=0.762) as well as poor communication between site managers and site operatives (RII=0.756) as factors preventing effective use of health and safety plan among the categories of respondents sampled. The study concluded based on Mann-Whitney U Test result on health and safety improvement measures and control systems available for health and safety practices and workers performance on construction sites. The study recommends use of a more proactive and integrated management mechanism to enforce the existing Safety and Health regulations in construction sites, in order to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health on the site.
Keywords: Construction Sites, Examination, Health & Safety, Management, Plan, Relative Importance Index
Evaluation of Mechanization in Building Production as a Way of Cost Reduction a Study of Some Construction Sites in Enugu South Local Government Area (Published)
Motivated by the need for an empirical evidence to convince local builders in Enugu south of the benefits of adopting mechanization in building production, this study evaluated the place of mechanization in building production. Survey design was adopted involving field survey, questionnaire survey and personal interviews of some registered professionals in building; civil, structural and mechanical engineers; architects; and surveyors. In verifying the impact of mechanization against voted contract sum in the bill of works, a site where activities in excavation and concrete works were mechanized was selected for case study. From the result of the analyses, it was found that the use of plants can bring about 25-35% reduction in cost of labour in excavation and concrete works where a great deal of resources usually goes down in building production. Sequel to the above findings, the study recommended the use of plants and other forms of mechanization should be explored as excellent alternatives to the use of manual labour, especially when the project is a large one. Also that contractors wanting to venture into mechanization should first consider a variety of alternatives available to them and endeavor to embark on a feasibility study and possibly a thorough cost-benefit analysis before the decision to employ mechanization is made.
Keywords: Building Production, Construction Sites, Cost Reduction, Enugu South, Local Government Area, Mechanization