OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) ASSESSMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

Abstract

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in construction is all about protecting people from injury at work or from becoming ill through appropriate precautions. A safe, healthy and productive workforce is needed to achieve the objective of national development and economic growth since construction industry is a stimulator for national economy. However, each sector of the industry has its distinct hazards and risks determined by the peculiarities of its labour process. This paper begins by presenting a brief background to the construction industry and then further into the concept of hazard and risk as cornerstone of effective OHS management. It highlights the laws regulating OHS matters. The paper finally examines the state of OHS practices on University of Ilorin construction sites as a case study. The aim is to investigate current safety practices on site; identify the nature and occurrence of hazards; and the extent to which safety measure are employed. The findings show that workers are vulnerable due to lack of appropriate strategies and the ease with which contractor violate OHS requirement due to weak or nonexistent enforcement. Various improvement strategies are discussed. The paper of this nature is equally aimed at provoking thoughtful discussions with view hopefully of finding long term solutions.