Effective Implementation of Health and Safety Practices on Construction Site: Barriers and Movers

Abstract

Full implementation of health and safety (H&S) practices in construction have been a tough battle over the years. The literature indicates that enforcement by statutory authority is one of the key factors for effective implementation. However, the level of enforcement by the statutory authority in Nigeria is very low. Hence, the need for active means of implementation of H&S practices in Nigerian construction. Therefore, this paper investigated the barriers and movers of effective implementation of H&S management practices in a construction site in Abuja the Federal Capital City of Nigeria where there were several ongoing projects during the study. A structured questionnaire and review of relevant literature were used to obtain data for the study. The importance index was the major statistical tools used in analysis of the data obtained. The study identified the absence of provision for cost of H&S practices in the bill of quantities, lack of record of performance as a prerequisite for tender selection, inadequate training of staff and clients influence as the most important factors inhibiting effective implementation of H&S practices in Nigerian construction site.