ENSURING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES

PAPER PRESENTED
BY
BLDR.(PROF.) AKANINYENE A. UMOH
AT
2-DAY WORKSHOP ORGANISED BY THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF BUILDING, AKWA IBOM STATE
CHAPTER

HELD
BETWEEN 23RD AND 24TH OCT., 2024

AT
LUTON PARK HOTEL, UYO
OUTLINE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 FACTORS THAT ENHANCE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

ON CONSTRUCTION SITES

3.0 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK GOVERNING HEALTH AND SAFETY

AT WORKPLACE

4.0 CONSTRUCTION HEALTH AND SAFETY CHECK LISTS ON SITE

5.0 CONCLUSION
 INTRODUCTION
 Health is defined as the protection of the bodies and minds of people from illness
resulting from the materials, processes or procedures used in the workplace; whereas,
Safety is the protection of people from physical injury.

 The borderline between health and safety is ill-defined and the two words are
normally used together to indicate concern for the physical and mental well-being of the
individual at the place of work.

 Occupational health and safety has been defined by the International Labour
Organization (ILO), 2001 as: “The prevention and maintenance of the highest degree of
physical, mental and social well-being, the prevention of ill-health among workers caused
by their working conditions, The protection of workers from factors adverse to their
health in their employment, and the placing and maintaining workers in occupational
environments adapted to their individual and psychological conditions.”
Ill health: musculoskeletal disorders, dermatitis or asbestosis, back pain, hand-arm
vibration syndrome to Cement burns

physical hazards: Struck by falling objects; eyes endangered by sharp objects, particles,
chemicals; skin damaged by sharp objects, chemicals; limbs or body crushed by heavy
objects; struck by moving plant and equipment; hearing damaged by excessive noise;
respiration impaired by poor air supply, particles, chemicals; physical damage caused by
heat, cold, weather; and physical damage caused by falls, trips or slips

Hazards are not, however, restricted to those working on sites, members of the public
including children are also killed or injured as a result of inadequately controlled of
construction activities on sites.
Accidents encountered on construction sites:

Scaffold; roof; slip, trip and falls; Crane; ladder; electrocution; fails of material;
construction vehicle; trench collapses; fire and explosion; structure failure;
building collapse; flooding; and transport accident amongst others.

in Nigeria, the construction industry loses 5 – 7 % of its workforce annually to

construction accidents (Mohammed and Ajala, 2017).

Occupational Safety & Health Act (1994) mandate each employer to provide
and maintain a safe and healthful workplace for all employees.
 2.0 FACTORS THAT ENHANCE HEALTH AND SAFETY
ON CONSTRUCTION SITES
2.1 Site Layout and Planning

 A site that is untidy and not well planned has the underlying cause of many accidents.

 In site layout, there should be safe access onto and around the site for people and
vehicles

 Vehicles should be kept clear of pedestrians at vehicle loading/unloading areas, parking

and maneuvering places and areas where drivers’ vision may be obstructed.

 Construction work should be fenced off and suitably signed. This will protect people
(especially children) from site dangers and the site from vandalism and theft.
2.2 The Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
 Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing,
helmets, goggles, or other garment or equipment designed to protect the
wearer's body from physical hazards.

 The PPE required in the construction sites include; eye and face
protection, hearing protection, respiratory protection, hand and arm
protection, foot and leg protection, head protection and body and fall
protection mechanisms.
 QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
• WHAT ARE THE COMMON HAZARDS A WORKER MAY BE
EXPOSED TO ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE?

• A WORKER IS USING A SLEDGE HAMMER TO BREAK UP A

FAILED CONCRETE BEAM ON A BUILDING UNDER
CONSTRUCTION. WHAT PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT SHOULD
HE/SHE USE IN CARRYING OUT THE WORK?
2.3 The use of Health and Safety Warning Signs/Signals
 Safety Signs and Signals are one of the main means of communicating
health and safety information.

 The most commonly used health and safety signs include the use of
illuminated signs, hand and acoustic signals (e.g. fire alarms), spoken
communication and the marking of pipework containing dangerous
substances.

 Traditional signboards - prohibition and warning signs, signs for fire exits,
fire action plan notices (fire drills) and fire-fighting equipment .

 The most commonly used Safety colours on site and their meaning are:
Green- Safe areas; Blue – Mandatory; Red- Danger; Yellow- Warning
2.4 Health and Safety Training
 Employees must be given health and safety induction training
when they are to start work.

 The induction tells you where to sign in, where to go, what to do,
and what to avoid. Don’t start work without one.

 The training should cover basics such as first aid and fire safety.

 There should also be job specific health and safety training.

 The training should include instruction in hazard recognition and

control measures, safe work practices and proper use of PPE, and
knowledge of emergency procedures and preventive actions..
2.5 Safety Policy
 Site Supervisors/managers should have a written safety policy setting
out the safety and health standards to achieve.

 Developed by each site manager/supervisor and operating company

prior to starting any construction job.

 The developed safety plan should be placed into a training programmme

and participated every site worker previous to partaking in any job.

 Site meetings should be encouraged and be held frequently to

sensitizing workers on their health and safety in the site.
2.6 Health and safety risk assessment
 Health and safety risk assessment in a construction site is an
important measure towards reduction of hazards and injuries.

 According to HSE (2004), employers are required to make an

assessment of the health and safety risks to which employees and
others are exposed on construction sites.

 Significant findings must be recorded where five of more people are

employed

 Sensible measures put in place to control them, and make sure they
stay controlled.
2.7 First Aid Kits and Accident Reporting
 First aid and rescue equipment should always be available on construction site.
Sites with more than 200 workers, there should be a properly equipped first aid room, and
at least one person on every shift should have been trained in first aid to a nationally
recognized standard.

 An accident register book should be kept at the site, in which all types of minor injury
such as bruises, to major accidents like imputing disability and fatal should be recorded
on day -to-day as the works progresses.

 Employers have a duty under the law (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrences Regulations 1995) to report to HSE certain types of accidents that happen
to their employees.

 Generally, deaths, serious injuries and dangerous occurrences should be reported

immediately and less serious injuries within ten days. Certain occupational ill-health
issues and diseases also have to be reported.
2.8 Welfare Facilities
 Workers should have access to adequate toilet, washing facilities, rest facility
and somewhere for storing and drying clothing and personal protective
equipment.

 Employers are also responsible for ensuring that welfare facilities are
adequate for their employees.

 The welfare facilities should be sufficient for everybody who is working on

the site

 Workers should not be left to make their own arrangements on an ‘as and
when required’ basis
2.9 Provision of Sanitary Conveniences

 The provision of sanitary conveniences for people working on the site

promotes healthy working condition

 Toilets should be flushed by water and connected to a mains drainage

system, or with a built-in water supply and drainage tank;

 If neither option is possible, chemical toilets may be provided.

 A washbasin with water, soap and towels or dryers should be located close to
the toilets.
2.10 Provision of Drinking Water

 Supply of drinking water should be provided in a construction site: a tap direct

from the mains.

 Tanks of water may be used for storage and protected from possible
contamination and changed often enough to prevent it from becoming stale or
contaminated

 The tap should be clearly marked to differentiate it from other water supplies.

 Cups or other drinking vessels should be available at the water tap, unless the
water is supplied as an upward jet that can be drunk from easily (e.g. a
drinking fountain).
2.11. Good order, storage areas and waste materials

 A proper housekeeping of the site is essential in ensuring safety.

 Keep walkways and stairways free of tripping hazards such as trailing cables,
building materials and waste. This is especially important for emergency
routes

 Ensure that all flammable waste materials (such as packaging and timber
offcuts) are cleared away regularly to reduce fire risks; keep inside floor areas
clean and dry; outdoor footpaths should be level and firm and should not be
used for storing materials.
2.11. Good order, storage areas and waste materials Contd.
 Designate storage areas for plant, materials, waste, flammable substances
and hazardous substances

 Do not store flammable materials under staircases or near to doors or fire

exits.

 Decide how the waste stream will be managed to ensure it is timely and
effective.

 Don’t forget that waste materials also need storing safely before their
removal from the site and make sure that you allow sufficient space for
waste skips and bins.
2.12 Lighting

 Every part of the site that is in use should be well lighted as far as possible for
people to see to do their work and move about the site safely

 Where natural light is inadequate or not available, artificial lighting should be

provided.

 Ensure that any artificial lighting does not change the apparent colour or
visibility of any safety signs or other safety- related items such as fire
extinguishers.

 In some cases, e.g. someone working on a tower scaffold in a basement may fall
while trying to descend in the dark, emergency lighting should be provided.
 3.0 REGULATORY FRMEWORK GOVERNING HEALTH AND SAFETY
IN NIGERIA
Nigeria has a regulatory framework that comprises laws and regulations enacted
by the Federal Government regarding occupational health and safety:

 Ratification of ILO Convention No. 155 on Occupational Safety, Health and Working
Environment in 1994.

 National Policy on Occupational Safety and Health

 The National Industrial Court of Nigeria Act, 2006

 Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010

 The Factories Act of 2004; the Minerals Oil safety Regulation of 1999; the Harmful
Waste Act, 2004
3.1 Federal Republic of Nigeria National Policy on Occupational Safety
and Health
 The policy provides the framework for participative occupational safety and
health protection of workers including the most vulnerable groups in all sectors
of economic activities.
 It allotted duties to respective stakeholders to maintain a safe working
environment with minimal hazards
 Every employer are to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety,
health and welfare of all workers:

 The provision and maintenance of plant and system of work that are safe and
without risk to health
 Arrangement of the workplace to ensure safety and absence of risks to health in
connection with use, handling, storage; and transportation of articles and
substances

 Provide at no cost to the worker, occupational health protection and personal

protective clothing and equipment, which are appropriate for the nature of the
job

 Provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as are

necessary to ensure safety and health of all workers

 Provision of adequate First Aid Facilities

 Provide compensations for work related disabilities of workers and rehabilitation

of such workers as reasonably practicable, etc.
 4.0 HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTION CHECKLISTS

Safety inspection checklists are tools professionals use to conduct safety

examinations and tests. These checklists help determine whether a work site is
safe for employees and if there are any existing workplace hazards.

Safety checklists are especially common in industries like construction,

manufacturing and healthcare that may handle occupational hazards on a day-to-
day basis and include:

 Self-inspection for construction

 Personal protective equipment (PPE) inspection checklists

 Housekeeping Inspection Checklists

 General Safety Inspection Checklists, etc.

GENERAL SAFETY INSPECTION CHECKLISTS YES NO

The workplace is clean and orderly

Floors, hallways, and exit and entryways are clear of obstructions

Floor surfaces are dry and not a risk of slipping
Lighting or illumination is available at all areas of the workspace
Plans for emergency evacuation due to fires, earthquakes, or other
emergencies are placed in multiple locations and at eye level
All containers for hazardous and non-hazardous materials are labeled
and dated clearly
Ventilation is present for any machines to prevent fires
All equipment is clean and clear of dust
Adequate alarm systems for gas leaks and fires are present and
functioning
Any emergency stop switches are present and functioning
5.0 CONCLUSIONS

 Work-related accidents and illnesses contribute significantly to the yearly

death ratio, thereby leading to a substantial loss in a country’s labour
force. However, it is hope that the adherence to basic principles of health
and safety at workplace, particularly in the construction sector, will
enhance the productivity of workers and by extension improve the socio-
economic status of the country
Thank you