Effective Regulation and Level of Awareness: An Exposé of the Nigeria’s Construction Industry

Ikechukwu A. Diugwu, Dorothy L. Baba, Ashem E. Egila

Department of Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/ojsst.2012.24018                

Abstract

The preparedness of any organization to minimize the frequency and severity of work related accidents, ill-health, and damage to property is demonstrated by the adoption of a health and safety management system. By its nature, a health and safety management system through its provisions and demands, not only highlights the impact of poor health and safety standards on organizational performance but also encourages greater awareness of health and safety issues and responsibilities. Quite unfortunately, in Nigeria (as in many developing economies) statutory regulation, capable of ensuring the adoption and implementation of health and safety management systems by organizations, seems inadequate or ineffective. The impact of this, as demonstrated by the outcome of survey and literature review, is a general lack of awareness on important health and safety issues among Nigerian construction workers. Equally, there is an inability and or unwillingness by organizations to pay adequate attention to health and safety management. Consequently, the overall health and safety standard, operational capability and corporate image of Nigeria’s construction industry have been affected.

Keywords

Health and Safety Management; Construction; Health and Safety Management System; Safety Regulation

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Health and Safety Commission, “Health and Safety Statistical Highlights,” Health and Safety Executive, Norwich, 2003.
[2]	Eurostat, “European Social Statistics: Accidents at Work and Work Related Health Problems (Data 1994-2000),” European Communities, 2002.
[3]	S. Pickvance, “Arguing the Business Case for Occupational Health,” Occupational Health Review, 2003.
[4]	Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, “Professionals in Partnership,” Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, Leicester, 2001.
[5]	I. Diugwu, “A Framework to Evaluate Critically the Health and Safety Strategies in Supply Chains in the UK,” Coventry University, Coventry, 2008.
[6]	Health and Safety Executive, “A Guide to the Health and Safety etc. Act 1974: Guidance on the Act,” HMSO, London, 1994.
[7]	G. I. Idoro, “The Effect of Globalization on Safety in the Construction Industry in Nigeria,” Proceedings of International Symposium on Globalization and Construction, Thailand, November 2004, 10 p.
[8]	G. I. Idoro, “Health and Safety Management Efforts as Correlates of Performance in the Nigerian Construction Industry,” Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, Vol. 14, No. 4, 2008, pp. 277-285. doi:10.3846/1392-3730.2008.14.27
[9]	Federal Government of Nigeria, “The Factory Act of 1990,” Federal Government Press, Abuja, 1990.
[10]	The Office for National Statistics, “Construction Statistics —No. 13, 2012 Edition,” 2012. http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/construction/construction-statistics/no--13--2012-edition/art-construction-statistics-annual--2012.html
[11]	J. Dye and J. Sosimi, “United Kingdom National Accounts— The Blue Book,” Palgrave Macmillan, UK, 2010.
[12]	O. A. Olatunji and N. Bashorun, “A System View of the Labour Profile Structure of the Construction Industry in the Developing Countries: Nigeria, A Case Study,” International Conference in the Built Environment in the 21st Century (ICIBE), Kuala Lumpur, 13-15 June 2006, pp. 881-892.
[13]	Health and Safety Executive, “Occupational Ill Health in the Construction Industry: Statistical Fact Sheet,” 2004. http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/factcon.pdf
[14]	Health and Safety Executive, “Health and Safety Offences and Penalties, 2003/2004,” 2005. http://www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/off03-04/off03-04.pdf
[15]	A. Recio, R. de Alos-Moner and I. Olivares, “Construction in Spain: Towards a New Regulation?” Working Paper No. 13, Centre d’Estudis Sociològics sobre la Vida Quotidiana i el Treball (QUIT), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2006.
[16]	International Labour Organization, “Safety and Health at Work,” International Labour Organization, 2010.
[17]	Health and Safety Executive, “Construction Work Related Injuries and Ill Health,” 2012.
[18]	M. G. Helander, “Safety Hazards and Motivation for Safe Work in the Construction Industry,” International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Vol. 8, No. 3, 1991, pp. 205-223. doi:10.1016/0169-8141(91)90033-I
[19]	Health and Safety Executive, “An Analysis of the Significant Causes of Fatal and Major Injuries in Construction in Scotland,” Research Paper 443, Health and Safety Executive, London, 2006.
[20]	K. Dorji and B. H. W. Hadikusumo, “Safety Management Practices in the Bhutanese Construction Industry,” Journal of Construction in Developing Countries, Vol. 11, No. 2, 2006, pp. 53-75.
[21]	M. J. Baker, “Sampling,” Marketing Review, Vol. 3, No. 1, 2002, pp. 103-120.
[22]	E. Saenger, “An Investigation into a Future-Oriented Approach to Financial Reporting in South Africa,” DCom Thesis, University of South Africa, 1991.
[23]	W. D. Crano and M. B. Brewer, “Principles and Methods of Social Research,” 2nd Edition, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, 2002.
[24]	P. Levy and S. Lemeshow, “Sampling of Populations: Methods and Applications,” Wiley, New York, 1991.
[25]	W. G. Cochran, “Sampling Techniques,” 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1997.
[26]	T. S. Yamane, “An Introductory Analysis,” 2nd Edition, Harper and Row, New York, 1967.
[27]	G. D. Israel, “Sampling Issues: Nonresponse. Program Evaluation and Organizational Development,” IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, 1992.
[28]	D. Holt and C. Kockelbergh, “Environmental Supply Chain Management in the UK—An Exploratory Analysis of Current Practices,” Proceedings of the 12th Annual International Conference of the International Purchasing and Supply Education and Research Association (IPS-ERA), Budapest, 13-16 April 2003, pp. 678-689.
[29]	L. Vassie, J. M. Tomas and A. Oliver, “Health and Safety Management in UK and Spanish SMEs: A Comparative Study,” Journal of Safety Research, Vol. 31, No. 1, 2000, pp. 35-43. doi:10.1016/S0022-4375(99)00028-6
[30]	S. Lammin, “Safety Management in Small Businesses,” Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Loughborough University, Loughborough, 2001.
[31]	O. A. Adenuga, A. A. Soyingbe and O. M. Ajayi, “A Study of Selected Safety Measures on Construction Companies in Lagos, Nigeria,” Proceedings of the Construction and Building Research Conference of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 6-7 September 2007, pp. 678-689.
[32]	I. Dalling, “The Future Is Unified: A Model for Integrated Management,” Quality World, Vol. 26, No. 4, 2000, pp. 34-39.
[33]	J. Rimington, “Managing Risk—Adding Value: How Big Firms Manage Contractual Relations to Reduce Risk—A Study,” Health and Safety Executive, London, 1998.
[34]	International Telecommunications Union (ITU), “ITU Digital Access Index: World’S First Global ICT Ranking,” 2003. http://www.itu.int/newsarchive/press_releases/2003/30.html