Occupational Health and Safety Risk Levels of Building Construction Trades in Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the occupational health and safety risk-level of common building construction trades in Nigeria. It also identified the sources, frequency and magnitude of risks inherent in the activities of various building construction trades. Being site-based survey research, it made use of a structured questionnaire administered to the selected building construction workers of different trades in Anambra State, Nigeria. The collected data were subjected to quantitative risk analysis using mean value method and risk prioritisation number. The study found that masonry, carpentry (including formwork and roofing), and iron bending and steel fixing are common building trades associated with high risks; whereas electrical fitting and installation, painting, tiling, and plumbing are medium risk building trades. It also found that the rate of occurrence and magnitude of impact of different safety risk factors differ across the building trades, which could be attributed to the differences in activities and modes of operation in different building trades. On this premise, the study suggested a multi-risk management and control approach for construction managers on building construction sites since the frequency of risk occurrence and the magnitude of risk severity differ across trades. It further called for institutional and legislative re-strengthening of extant labour laws in Nigeria.