The impact of confined construction sites condition on project team health and safety

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of confined construction sites on project team health and safety in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The research addresses the growing safety challenges faced by construction teams working in confined sites Through a quantitative research approach, the study examined multiple confined construction sites to assess how spatial constraints affect workplace safety and identify the most significant risk factors. The methodology employed purposive • sampling to select fifteen confined construction sites in Port Harcourt, Data collection was conducted through structured questionnaires distributed to construction professionals, including project managers, structural engineers, safety officers, and site supervisors. Statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics and regression analysis, was used to examine the relationships between confined site conditions and safety outcomes. The findings revealed that limited access routes, restricted movement space, and poor ventilation are the most significant challenges that influence safety outcomes in confined construction sites. Space limitation emerged as the strongest predictor of safety incidents, followed by ventilation issues and restricted access routes. The study also found that material storage constraints and lighting conditions, while important, had a relatively lesser impact on safety outcomes. The research demonstrated a strong relationship between confined site conditions and the frequency of safety incidents, with site conditions explaining a substantial portion of the variation in accident occurrence. The findings highlight the need for specialized safety protocols and management strategies for confined construction sites, particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas. The study's results can inform the development of more effective safety policies and practices that suits confined construction environments. This will ultimately contribute to improved workplace safety in urban construction projects.