SAFETY CULTURED INDUSTRY THROUGH THE INTEGRATION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) COURSES IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT CURRICULUM

Abstract

Globally, around 5,500 workers die daily from accidents or diseases at work with one-quarter of construction workers more probable than other workers. The rate of accidents leading to fatalities on Nigeria’s construction sites is becoming worrisome. Human factor such as workers’ non-compliance, low commitment from top management, negligence, human failures have largely been blamed. Safety is not simply common sense, therefore, construction workers and students need to be trained in order to have a sustainable construction industry. The aim of this study is to assess a safety cultured industry through the integration of occupational health and safety (OHS) courses in the Built environment curriculum. An in depth literature review of OHS training materials and using a crosssectional research design through questionnaire survey and interview sessions with educationists and construction students in the built environment were utilized. A purposive sampling method was adopted for the study. Two sets of questionnaires were developed for the study. Out of the 55 copies of research questionnaire distributed for Educationist, 38 were completed and returned representing a 69% response rate while 100 copies of research questionnaire were distributed to final year construction students with 85 returned representing an 85% response rate. Returned questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS v21.0. The study developed a framework for the integration of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) courses, the instructional design, and facilities in the Built environment curriculum. The result revealed that construction students had little awareness about Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) courses with the main awareness in use of personal protective equipment (PPE). From the study, educationists revealed that construction students’ knowledge in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) courses will foster a healthy and safe construction environment and also increase employability after graduation. Using a t-test tool, the study revealed that there is no agreement between educationists and construction students on the adequacy of teaching facilities for OHS courses. The study recommended that adequate and effective occupational health and safety (OHS) courses be integrated in the Built environment courses with sufficient facilities and trained personnel to guarantee its success and purpose.