Project – Assessment of the factors influencing accidents in building construction sites in Nigeria

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Construction work is considered to be one of the most hazardous industrial activities in Nigeria. The rate of accidents in the construction industry is higher than any other industry. Every year many fall victim to injury, harm and even death caused by accidents on construction sites (Mike et al., 2021). 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 (2016). O.S.H.A (2015) ascertained that there are at least 60,000 fatal accidents on construction sites annually around the world, the fatal injury rate for the construction industry is higher than national average among industries worldwide. Jaselskis and Suazo (2014) demonstrated a substantial lack of awareness or importance for safety at all levels of the construction industry. In addition, Laufer and Ledbetter (2016) assessed various safety measures. Some researchers examined costs of construction accidents to employers (Levitt and Samelson, 2023). Accidents prevention has become increasingly important aspect which could be a major cause of concern in the construction industry therefore any effort to identify and explore possible ways of preventing and controlling accidents should be sought after, hence the need for the study. Building/civil engineering projects are visibly on the rise and the need to be safety conscious on construction sites quite inevitable. However, in recent times a number of fatal accidents have occurred through building collapse at various sites in the city of Port Harcourt that have raised great concern and anxiety to the public. Ebiri (2018) reported on the collapse of a seven storey building under construction in Government Residential Area (GRA), phase II Port Harcourt, suspected to be structural failure, in which several persons were feared dead and others severely injured. This becomes a serious concern to all stakeholders in the construction industry as many construction workers have died as a result of various degrees of accidents and injuries sustained from construction sites in Nigeria. In an attempt to reduce the occurrence of accidents on construction sites in Imo State, Nigeria. This project assess the factors influencing accidents in building construction sites in Imo State, it effects and possible solution to reduce this menace to the barest minimum.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Construction work is considered to be one of the most hazardous industrial activities in the world (Kadiri et al, 2014). Every year many people fall victim to injury, harm and even death caused by accidents on construction sites. Statistics indicate that there has been a rise in accidents in construction sites by 20% in Nigeria since the year 2011 (Gichuhi, 2013). An example of one particular accident is a building under construction which collapsed in Zimmerman in the year 2015 (Wachira, 2015). Precautionary measures to control accidents in the building industry are vital. Employers are required to assess 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, 1986). In order to understand the control measures, major factors that contribute to occurrence of accidents in the building industry in Nigeria must be identified. Research on occurrence of accidents in building industry is scant and inconclusive. Kakitahi et al.(2013), Lubega et al. (2020), Alinaitwe et al.(2017), Mwakali, 2016) and Lopez et al.(2018) investigated the factors influencing the occurrence of construction site accidents. These studies however focused on other contexts other than construction sites in Nairobi County thus presenting contextual knowledge gaps. The determinants of construction sites accidents in the different contexts might not apply to the Nigerian and specifically, Imo State context hence the importance of this study to focus on selected building construction sites in Owerri Municipal.

1.3 Significance of the Study

The study is expected to contribute to the existing literature in the field of health and safety management in the construction sites to ensure overall safety in the Construction Industry. Future scholars can use this research as a basis for further research.

The government and the policy makers stand to benefit from the findings of the study as they will gain insight on accidents and health hazards management models to apply in construction sites to ensure safety in the Construction industry. This model is to ensure that lives lost and the monies for compensation to injuries, loss of damage of properties will be saved. The work force at the construction sites are not depleted and time and money wasted due to disruptions when accidents happen are also saved.

The study stands to benefit all the professionals within the Construction Industry both in the public institutions and private sectors as they will understand the best ways of eliminating accidents and health hazards within the construction sites to ensure safety in the Construction Industry. The research findings would contribute to a better understanding of caution on worker safety and health in construction site. This may enable focused intervention strategies and also coordinate efforts aimed at eradicating causes of accidents and health hazards practices to construction workers safety and health in construction sites. It can expose areas for further research and recommend how the regulatory framework can be strengthened and thus made effective.

1.4 Aim of the Study

The aim of the study is to assess the factors influencing accidents in construction sites in Nigeria using Imo as a case study with the view to prevent /mitigate or stop accidents in the construction sites and promote safety.

1.5 Objectives of the Study

1. To determine the rate of accidents in construction sites in Imo State
2. To assess the factors influencing accidents in construction sites

• To find out the effect of accidents in construction sites

1. To establish an effective safety guide to prevent/mitigate accidents in construction sites

1.6 Research Questions/Hypotheses

1.6.1 Research Questions

1. What is the rate of accidents in construction sites in Nigeria?
2. What are the factors influencing accidents in construction sites?

• What are the effects of accidents in construction sites?

1. What are the effective safety guides to prevent/mitigate accidents in construction sites?

1.6.2 Research Hypotheses

H0₁: There are no significant factors influencing accidents in construction sites

H0₂: There are no significant effects of accidents on construction sites

H0₃:   There are no effective safety guides to prevent/mitigate accidents on construction sites

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.7.1 Geographical Scope

The study will cover some selected building construction industry in Owerri Municipal, Imo State. All findings and recommendations from the study may not reflect the true view of the traditional and changing roles as the researcher could not cover a wider area due to financial and time constraints.

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.7.2. Geographical Scope

The study was conducted using selected project in Owerri, Imo State

1.7.3. Time Scope

The study covered the period two months, from March, 2024 to May, 2024 when the project was implemented which emphasized strengthening functional units

1.8 Limitation of the Study

The major limitation in this study that could be addressed in future research is the limited access to data.

Limited Access to Data; It was difficult to get respondents from our primary source of data. This involves the personal interview through questionnaire with most of the contractors and managers of the three organizations. Most of the times, when you want to see them. The will either not available or the protocol which you will pass through before you will be given access to see them. This limitation can be addressed in future research by redesign or restructure the research in a different way.

Project – Assessment of the factors influencing accidents in building construction sites in Nigeria