Assessing the culture of construction health and safety of selected firms in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper assessed the health and safety culture perceptions of management and field personnel of eight (8) construction firms located in Asokoro district of Abuja. Data on the perceptions of management and field personnel on construction health and safety culture were collated to test the hypothesis which states that there is no difference between management perceptions and field personnel perceptions on construction health and safety culture of the firms, using statistical t- test at 5% significant level. For all the construction firms, results show that management's perceptions were inconsistent with that of their field personnel, when the calculated t-value is compared with standard table value. This shows that there is lack of construction health and safety culture among the firms. Also, medical fitness and health reports were not requested by six out of the eight firms; and newly engaged workers are not given orientation or training on construction Health and Safety. Therefore, it is recommended that construction firms carry out periodic assessment of its construction health and safety culture so as to reinvigorate its performance in this area. Management needs to show active commitment to orientation and training of its new and existing employees on construction Health and Safety.

Keywords: Construction Accidents, Construction firms, Corporate Culture, Construction Industry, Health Safety and Environment