Stakeholders' Roles in Safety Management of Building Construction Projects in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The construction sector demonstrates poor safety management practices in building construction endeavours. Accidents in construction sites are common which result in loss of lives, injuries and damages to properties. Construction stakeholders have a duty to improve safety performance. The existing literature has paid less attention to the involvement of stakeholders in safety management. The investigation aimed at analysing the stakeholders’ contributions to the safety management in building construction projects. The study was conducted in Abuja, Nigeria using a quantitative approach. Data were collected using a survey approach through a questionnaire. 360 surveys were distributed to Architects, Builders, Engineers, and Quantity Surveyors from clients, contractors, and government agencies and 217 of them were returned completed. Quantitative data were analysed Mean Ranking, one-way ANOVA and post hoc multiple comparisons. The findings revealed that the main safety related functions of the government in preventing construction accidents were the provision of technical assistance (3.78), safety training (3.59) and minimum standards enforcement (3.55). Moreover, the client’s main safety functions include risk assessments (3.67), regular assessment on plant and equipment (3.66), safety resources provision (3.63) and supervisory contractor safety compliance (3.61). Finally, the main contractor safety responsibilities are compliance with safety operational guidelines (4.06) and accident reporting. Hence, the study recommends that the prevention and management of the construction accidents should be a joint effort of all stakeholders through systematic and synergistic coordination.