Earthing Hazards on Construction Sites: Health and Safety Programme Framework for Small-Scale Construction Firms

Abstract

A review of most of the studies related to injuries, accidents and work-related diseases on construction sites revealed the causes, effects, and steps to be taken towards ensuring workers’ health and safety and profitable project delivery.  These studies reveal that the major means of achieving a healthy and safe workplace is through the identification of workplace hazards and the reduction of safety risks. Consequently, this study examines the type of hazards on construction sites and proposes a framework of health and safety programme (a subset of the health and safety management system) for small scale indigenous firms. These objectives were achieved through focus group discussions and interviews with 17 construction stakeholders, in Lagos. It was revealed that the most frequent hazard was tripping and falling, with the risks of sprains, fractures or sometimes death. Besides, the workers were not aware of the factors that could lead to injuries and accidents, not to mention the minimization of such occurrences. The framework consists of recommended practises for safety culture, and this will be instrumental to the firms’ management in the identification of the various hazards, evaluation of risks inherent and assessment of the control measures that would be required. This will, eventually, improve the firm's bidding technique, enhance quality delivery, aid client satisfaction while earning the firm a good image. On the part of the workers, the use of the framework through its introduction during induction or toolbox talks will equip the workers with what is required and thus be able to improve health and safety in the workplace.