OVERVIEW OF SAFETY PERFORMANCE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Abstract

The construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries worldwide due to deadly fatalities and accidents recorded yearly, compared to other sector of the economy in many countries. Though many safety programs have been established and implemented, the situation does not seem to have been mitigated the menace of accidents. Developing countries, like Nigeria, still lack laws and regulations on health and safety practices. The health and well-being of construction workers are being threatened by the increasing cases of injuries and casualties recorded at construction sites. The construction industry in Nigeria is also labor intensive with labor cost running between 40 to 65% of the total project cost. Operators are majorly categorized into multinational and indigenous construction companies. Indigenous companies in Nigeria are involved in an estimated 50-100% public and private clients in both traditional and non-traditional systems of procurement. However, indigenous companies’ record 2 and 5 percent accident and injury level among workers with 300% more risk than the multinationals. Thus, this paper aims to provide an overview of the construction safety performance and construction stakeholders’ operations in the construction industry of Nigeria. The overview is of potential benefit to the administrators of building development, building designers and policy makers.