Effect of Knowledge and Compliance of Health and Safety Information on Construction Sites Workers’ Safety in Nigeria

Effect of Knowledge and Compliance of Health and Safety Information on Construction Sites Workers’ Safety in Nigeria

Ranti T. AdebiyiOlubola Babalola Ganiyu Amuda-yusuf Shehu A. Rasheed Theophilus O. Olowa 

Department of Quantity Surveying, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240103, Nigeria

Department of Quantity Surveying, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Ile-Ife 220282, Nigeria

Corresponding Author Email: 
adebiyi.rt@unilorin.edu.ng
Page: 
269-277
|
DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsse.100215
Received: 
18 June 2019
|
Revised: 
7 January 2020
|
Accepted: 
13 January 2020
|
Available online: 
30 April 2020
| Citation

© 2020 IIETA. This article is published by IIETA and is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

OPEN ACCESS

Abstract: 

Construction sites have been identified as one of the most hazardous places to work due to high level of health and safety risks. Information on health and safety is therefore required to educate the participants on how to achieve safe working environment. This study therefore examined and analysed level of knowledge and compliance with information on health and safety and the effects on the safety of construction workers in Nigeria. Findings from the study revealed that the workers have average knowledge of health and safety information but demonstrated low level of compliance. The result also established a very strong positive correlation between compliance of health and safety information and safety of workers. However, when the significance of the correlation was tested, the result implied that though there was a positive relationship between compliance and safety of workers, the relationship was not significant. Practically, this meant that compliance alone cannot substantially guarantee workers safety.

Keywords: 

accident, compliance, health and safety, information, knowledge, Nigeria, site workers

1. Introduction

Construction industry is experiencing more complex, multi-faceted and technically inclined projects which involve multi-disciplinary and interrelated operations. These operations required the participation of various categories of workers on construction sites. Safety of these workers is paramount to achieving success in any construction project as virtually all operations on sites are dependent on the workers for implementation [1, 2]. It is only when these workers are in a sound state of mind and are physically healthy that work can go on smoothly. This makes the safety of workers to be a priority.  

Careful attention should be paid to the safety of these workers by updating them on Health and Safety (H&S) information, such as regulatory requirements, nature of hazards, safe working practices and accident preventive measures. Knowledge of H&S information is important in ensuring safety of construction workers, as researchers have hypothesized that a positive correlation exists between awareness of H&S information and safety of construction workers [3-6]. This assertion is also supported by Okoye et al. [7] that availability of information on H&S minimizes accidents and injuries on construction sites. It is therefore vital to note that construction workers are required to be furnished with adequate knowledge of H&S information.

A noteworthy difficulty presently confronting the workers includes prevalence accidents and ill-health on construction sites. This calls for an intensive investigation into the level of knowledge and compliance with H&S information by the construction workers [8]. Udo et al. [9] revealed that the neglect of H&S information on sites have considerable impact of workers’ productivity and performance. Non-compliance with H&S information is a major contributor to the poor safety and health conditions on construction sites. This is because knowledge of H&S information is not a standalone step for improving safety of workers, there must be a strict compliance [3].

The issue of whether these workers have adequate knowledge on H&S information and whether they comply with H&S rules and guidelines on site come to fore. Even if there is adequate H&S information, knowledge and compliance among construction workers, will these translate to their safety on construction sites? It is against this background that this study was carried out to assess the level of knowledge and compliance with H&S information and safety of workers on construction sites in Nigeria by: examining the level of knowledge of H&S information; determining the workers compliance with H&S information; identifying factors influencing level of compliance; investigating the effects of compliance with H&S information on safety of the workers.

2. Global Situation of Health and Safety on Construction Sites

Construction industry is one of the most hazardous industries globally because of the frequent and high rates of accident and ill-health on construction sites [10, 11]. The occurrence of accidents is grave concern for both practitioners and researchers all over the world [12]. Among all major industries, construction workers face the highest number of the risks of occupational injuries, illnesses even death around the world. Higher mortality rates on construction sites remain a global major concern. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) statistics presented by different researchers revealed that, the injury and fatality rate on construction sites is very high in comparison with other sectors of industry in the majority of countries [13-15]. Though, findings from a study carried by Sunindijo and Zou [16] revealed that accidents and fatality rates were found to be higher in some countries than others.

In developed countries like Japan, United Kingdom and the United States, about 20% of industrial fatal accidents in 2017 were from construction activities [17-19]. Similar study by Shafique and Rafiq [14] revealed that construction industry is one of the most fatal industries in Hong Kong. Notably, about 76% of industrial fatalities in 2017 took place only in the construction industry [20]. Workplace Safety and Health Institute (WSH)’s report states that the number of fatalities from occupational accidents in Asia was higher from all five regions [21]. Besides, the WSH’s report also identified that construction industry as one of the most dangerous industries in the world. Usually, most of the accidents on construction sites are due to the unawareness of the safety precautions [22]. But most of the developed countries are trying to reduce the horrific damages and losses from construction accidents by implementation of stricter laws and regulations [10].

Other research conducted in developing countries corroborate evidence of this relatively high proportion of accidents on construction sites [23]. Bangladesh has one of the most accident-prone construction industries among all the developing countries of the world [10]. Every year, an average of 150 persons died and thousands of people get injured due to the accidents in construction sites in Bangladesh. In Ghana, Kwofie [23] reported a poor state of H&S on Ghanaian construction sites. In a similar study by Amissah et al. [24] occupational injuries have been identified among the leading causes of death in Ghana. Specifically, about 10% of occupational accidents reported in 2018 were from construction-related injuries. Machfudiyanto et al. [25] conducted a study to evaluate occupational injuries among workers in Indonesia, construction sector accounted for the highest number of work-related accidents, with 32%.

The developing countries are the extreme victim of construction accidents because they have no strict regulation or no strict practicing of construction safety where both authorities and employees are not aware of construction safety issue [10, 15]. Construction industry in developing countries has performed far below the expectation in the areas of H&S because it involves more workers per activity on sites. Typically, 2 - 10 times as many workers per activity compared with developed countries [26]. Farooqui et al. [27] presented a good picture of H&S performance of developing countries. Unsafe conditions exist on many sites, both large and small, workers undertake a number of risk and are subjected to numerous hazards, no training programs for the staff and workers exist, hazards are not pointed out, and no safety meetings are held. Employees are required to learn from their own mistakes or experience. In addition, lack of medical facilities, shanty housing and substandard sanitation tend to exist on remote projects in most developing countries.

3. Health and Safety on Construction Sites in Nigeria

H&S situation on construction sites is quite pathetic in Nigeria because many people have met their ultimate death while others have become permanently crippled from construction related injuries [28]. Statistically, little information is available on the number of accidents rate that happen on construction sites annually, because contractors neither report accidents at appropriate ministry nor keep proper records on accidents [29]. However, the limited information made available by Inspectorate Division of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity indicates that Nigeria’s construction industry is responsible for about 7.5% of all occupational accidents, 49.5% of these injuries were fatal, 12.2% were partial disabilities and 7.4% of minor injuries [30].

The H&S performance of construction industry remains a glaring challenge in its efforts to tackle the developmental initiative in Nigeria. Muhammad et al. [31] opined that Nigeria falls within the category of countries having no adaptive H&S laws and regulations, where organizations allocate little resources to H&S management, rarely keep, report, or release accurate records of accidents and injuries on site, leading to poor health and safety performance.

The pathetic situation of H&S on construction sites in Nigeria made [5] to conclude that the constructing organizations should increase level of awareness of H&S information. The rate of accidents on construction sites therefore, calls for an intensive investigation on level of awareness of information on H&S among construction workers. Today, it is a basic right of every worker to have a safe and accident-free workplace. Many countries in the world started working to reduce the accident rate in the construction industry and they had shown success in various ways to reduce or even eliminate accidents on the sites. But Nigeria is backward from them. Nigeria has to work on H&S seriously to reduce accident rate on construction sites. Numerous studies have demonstrated that a fairly large percentage of fatal accident on construction sites could have been eliminated, reduced, or avoided if the workers are aware of likely hazards, safe working practices and accident preventive measures on the particular site.

4. Health and Safety Information

In the modern construction environment, information on H&S is a very sensitive construction organization’s responsibility [32]. Agwu [33] noted that information on H&S is a performance-oriented approach to construction by establishing a safe working environment that is consistent with peak performance and continuous improvement. Adebiyi et al. [32] pointed out that the organization should by law communicate a large amount of information to the workers, site visitors and the general public. To avoid information overload and confusion it is recommended that the four R’s of rules, regulations, responsibilities and risks should be outlined in the contents of information communicated. Safety rules include the organization’s philosophy and commitment to safety of all workers, site visitors and general public. Regulations must be communicated in a clear, concise and correct manner if H&S objectives are to be achieved.  All workers should be fully aware of their responsibilities and should be provided with all information necessary to carry them out in a safe manner. Organization should also provide information, instruction and training to the workers so that they can carry out their responsibilities effectively. Workers must be fully aware of H&S risks, measures to prevent them and emergency procedures in event of risks being realized.

H&S information as highlighted by [7, 32, 34, 35] are as follows: company’s health and safety policy, risk associated with the current job, the potential risks to the health and safety of the workers, location and nature of hazard in the workplace, preventive and protective measures for the risks and hazards on sites, procedures for the safe operation, use, maintenance and replacement of protective equipment, site rules, injury and incident reporting procedures, procedures for resolving health and safety issues, disciplinary policy, the identities of those who have a role within the organization’s H&S management system, emergency and first aid procedures.

5. Knowledge of Health and Safety Information

Knowledge involves an awareness or understanding gained through experience, familiarity or learning [36]. According to the study [37] knowledge creation is dependent upon information, the development of relevant information requires the application of knowledge. Akinwale et al. [38] pointed out that knowledge of H&S information on how to reduce risk factors among workers will enhance site safety. Safety knowledge therefore, encompasses awareness of occupational H&S information, including an evaluation of occupational H&S programmes in the organization.

Sources of safety knowledge according to the research [7], include incident investigation, teamwork, collaborations and survey of safety culture. The role of trainings in promoting H&S knowledge has also been highlighted by Akpan [39]. Kumar & Bansal [40] stated that effective safety knowledge among construction professionals reduces accidents and directly or indirectly reduces project cost. The above view is supported by Kamar et al. [41]. However, Sunindijo and Zou [42] suggested that employees, including project personnel, should be equipped with safety skills and with necessary H&S knowledge to enable them to work safely and to encourage others to do the same. As such, construction organizations should advance a climate which values safety learning. On this basis, Adebiyi et al. [32] inferred that safety learning should not only be considered as an acquisition of knowledge through instructions and training in classrooms or other formal settings rather safety should be considered as the final outcome of a dynamic and collective construction process. In this case, a safe workplace is the result of constant engineering of diverse elements, such as knowledge and skills, equipment, and social interactions, which are integral to the work practices of various project stakeholders. 

6. Construction Health and Safety Compliance

Compliance is described as applying measures designed to comply with legal requirements with the regulator being primarily more concerned with improved outcomes than prosecution results [43]. According to Agwu [33], compliance with H&S legislations can increase productivity in industries by reducing accidents. Frequent occurrence of accidents on construction sites calls for an intensive investigation into the level of knowledge and compliance of H&S information by construction workers [5]. This prevailing occurrence of accidents on sites can be adduced to the degree of compliance with H&S information which was described as being very low in Nigeria [30].

Lack of strict enforcement of H&S regulations enables non-compliance with the regulations. Umeokafor et al. [30] stated that non-compliance to H&S regulations is a major contributor to the poor state of H&S in Nigeria. Moreover, Williams et al. [43] expatiated on the factors contributing to non-compliance to H&S information as bribery and corruption, fear of legal sanctions, higher profit margin, inadequate funding, inadequate staff and workplace issues, management commitment, neglect of human rights, perception of stakeholders in the industry, wrong beliefs, reputation of firms and the type of tendering process adopted. Additionally, the Nigerian building construction sites are bombarded with inexperienced construction operatives, where site workers carry out operations with no regards to regulations on safety, most essentially in small and medium-scale firms.

The use of safety items is refuted by most workers, with much disregard given to it as a result of lack of knowledge, lack of enforcement of safety regulations, inconveniences created by putting on personal protective equipment and poor safety culture.

It is, nevertheless, saddening in noticing that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity (Inspectorate Division) which is responsible for overseeing the OHS in Nigeria has been found inefficient [43]. Against this backdrop, Williams et al. [43] traced the origin of the regulations of OHS to the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) from where greater part of the regulations adopted in Nigeria was extracted. In addition, Umeokafor et al. [30], reported that Factories Act of 1990 which the country adopts is exclusive of the construction industry thereby making the regulations unenforceable in the construction sites. This has made construction industry remained unregulated, and consequently leaving the implementation of the UK/US adopted regulations at the discretion of the practicing construction firms.

7. Methodology

The main objective of this study is to assess effect of knowledge and compliance with H&S information on construction sites workers’ safety. To achieve the objective, a comprehensive literature review was carried out to identify H&S information available on construction sites. A total of twenty-three (23) contents of H&S information identified from previous studies were adopted as basis for questionnaire design. The target population was workers on sites of construction organizations that are registered with Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA). LSPPA maintains a database of registered contractors and to describe their classification and categorizations based on contract value. According to LSPPA Directory (2019), registered contractors were classified into five (5): Class A, B, C, D and E as shown in Table 1. Lagos State was chosen for the study because of its reputation as the major hub of construction activities in Nigeria [44].

Table 1. Classification of registered contractors under LSPPA

Class

Contract Value/Threshold (N)

A

0.5 Million - 10 Million

B

10 Million - 100 Million

C

100 Million - 250 Million

D

250 Million - 1 Billion

E

Above 1 Billion

 

The construction sites of contractors registered under categories D and E were identified for this study. These categories of contractors are high caliber, well-structured and noted for executing projects of huge contract sums with records of H&S policies and a wide variety of workers on sites. The pilot survey for the purpose of this study revealed that there were fifty five (55) active construction sites in the study area as at the time of study. Therefore, this study adopted the purposive sampling technique to select the sample size of fifty five (55) construction sites and randomly select any three (3) trade-men from bricklayers, carpenters, iron benders, electricians and plumbers in the study area. Total sample size was one hundred and sixty-five (165). The questionnaire was structured and divided into two sections: the first section was designed to get information about personal data of the respondents to guarantee reliable and quality information. The second section addressed specific objectives of the study. This section contains twenty three (23) contents of H&S information, twenty six (26) statements on compliance with H&S information and seventeen (17) statements on factors influencing level of compliance on site workers safety. In each of the statements, respondents were required to express their opinion on a five point Likert-type scale, where 1 = very low, and 5 = very high.

Mean Score Ranking and Standard Deviation were adopted for analysing level of knowledge, compliance and factors influencing level of compliance while Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to establish the relationship between level of compliance and safety of workers.

8. Data Analysis and Discussion of Results

A total of eighty-four (84) copies of properly completed questionnaire, representing 52% of the total number were returned. The results in Figure 1 revealed type of trades of each worker surveyed. The Figure showed that 27% of the workers were bricklayers/plasterers, 18% carpenters/joiners, 7% roofers, 6% electricians and also 7% plumbers. Other workers included 8% glazers, 4% painters/decorators, 7% welders and 7% labourers.

Figure 2 presents the type of employers that engage the workers. The results indicated that about 58% of the workers were employed by sub-contractors while 37% were employed by the main contractors.

Modes of engagement of the workers were presented in Figure 3. The findings revealed that about 30% of the workers were engaged on part-time, while 61% were on full-time engagement. The remaining 9% are on daily basis.

Figure 1. Name of trade of site-operatives

Figure 2. Type of employers in organization

Figure 3. Modes of engagement

Figure 4 presents the highest education qualification of the workers. This result revealed that about 55% of the workers have a very low level of education, (not more than primary education), which can be a challenge to understanding information on H&S.

Although majority of workers have had little education, their levels of experience on construction sites are commendable (about 54% have more than 10 years construction experience) as revealed by Figure 5.

Figure 4. Highest education qualification

Figure 5. Years of experience on construction sites

Figure 6. Number of projects undertaken in the last 10 years

Furthermore, Figure 6 revealed numbers of projects the workers have participated in the last ten years. Not less than 74% of the respondents had worked on more than ten (10) projects. It is therefore plausible to conclude that data provided are credible and reliable because of the experience of the respondents.

8.1 Knowledge of health and safety information by the construction site workers

Table 2 presents the results of the ranking of level of knowledge of H&S information. The results show that there was average level of H&S knowledge among the workers on construction sites in Lagos State. This is similar to the study carried out by Kolo [1] in Anambra State, Nigeria where there was a moderate level of H&S knowledge among the workers in the state. However, the respondents indicated that they have knowledge of H&S information such as first aid procedures with Mean Score (MS) of 3.89, safety signs and symbols (MS of 3.69), the use, maintenance and replacement of protective equipment (MS of 3.53), procedures for the safe operation on site (MS of 3.40) and site regulations (MS of 3.38).

Other known H&S information were: preventive and protective measures for risks and hazards on site (MS of 3.35), company H&S policy (MS of 3.33), best practices in the company (MS of 3.31), safety performance (MS of 3.29) and site rules (MS of 3.28) as presented in Table 2. Table 2 also revealed that information on H&S such as location of hazard (MS of 2.92), injury and incident reporting procedures (MS of 2.91), accident statistics and records (MS of 2.83), accident investigation (MS of 2.78) and minutes of safety review meetings (MS of 2.68) were not well known by the respondents as indicated by the mean scores below average mean score of 3.19.

8.2 Level of compliance of health and safety information by the construction workers

Table 3 presents the results of the ranking of compliance with H&S information. It was revealed that the average MS for the level of H&S compliance by construction workers was low (2.47). This was an evidence of low level of compliance with H&S information by construction workers. Although the results on Table 3 indicated that the workers complied a little with first aid treatment (MS of 3.33), possession of basic safety training (MS of 3.31), handling of safety equipment (3.29), safety induction/project briefings (MS of 3.28) and communication of potential risks among themselves (MS of 3.26).

The results further revealed that accident or injuries on sites were rarely investigated (MS of 1.94), recorded (MS of 2.00) or reported (MS of 2.14). There was generally no provision for means of escape in case of emergency (MS of 2.03). Most importantly the findings indicated that there were no strict monitoring and enforcement of safety policy (MS of 2.12).

These findings from Tables 2 and 3 indicated that the workers have average knowledge on H&S information but level of compliance with the information was low. So having knowledge of H&S information alone without corresponding compliance with the information cannot guarantee workers safety. Compliance can therefore be achieved through monitoring, persuasion and even sanctions on defaulters in addition to management commitment. This will therefore, ensure better safety of workers on sites.

Table 2. Level of knowledge of health and safety information

Health and Safety Information on Construction Sites

Valid

Mean

Standard Deviation

Rank

First aid procedures

84

3.89

0.896

1

Safety signs and symbols

84

3.69

0.834

2

Use, maintenance and replacement of protective equipment

84

3.53

0.838

3

Procedures for the safe operation on site

84

3.40

0.706

4

Site regulations

84

3.38

0.924

5

Preventive/protective measures for risks/hazards on site

84

3.35

0.861

6

Company’s health and safety policy

84

3.33

0.736

7

Best practices in the company

84

3.31

0.853

8

Safety performance

84

3.29

0.916

9

Site rules

84

3.28

0.882

10

Knowledge of emergency procedures

84

3.26

0.837

11

Company’s philosophy

84

3.23

0.939

12

The identities of the safety officer

84

3.21

0.915

13

Procedures for resolving health and safety issues

84

3.17

0.840

14

The potential risk of health & safety of workers

84

3.16

0.804

15

Nature of hazard in the workplace

84

2.97

0.929

16

Safety inspection reports

84

2.96

0.785

17

Disciplinary policy

84

2.95

0.844

18

Location of hazard

84

2.92

0.850

19

Injury and incident reporting procedures

84

2.91

0.867

20

Accident statistics and records

84

2.83

0.830

21

Accident investigation

84

2.78

0.809

22

Minutes of safety review meetings

84

2.68

0.789

23

Average mean score

 

3.19

 

 

Table 3. Level of health and safety compliance of construction workers

Variables

Valid

Mean Score

Standard Deviation

Rank

Availability of first aid treatment

84

3.33

0.718

1

Possession of basic safety training

84

3.31

0.832

2

Safety equipment handled with utmost care

84

3.29

1.003

3

Safety induction/project briefings for workers

84

3.28

0.741

4

Prompt and adequate communication of potential risks to the workers

84

3.26

0.938

5

Observation of safety rules and regulations on site.

84

3.23

1.027

6

Maintenance and replacement of protective equipment

84

3.21

0.893

7

Availability of safety alert/fire alarm in case of emergency

84

3.17

0.817

8

Compulsory use of personal protective equipment on site

84

3.16

0.808

9

Risk assessment

84

2.97

0.822

10

Availability of preventive and protective measures for the hazards on site/best practices

84

2.96

0.845

11

Information on the procedures for safe operation on site

84

2.95

0.785

12

Availability of H&S plan before commencement of construction project

84

2.92

0.923

13

Working environment always cleared and kept free from all objects that can cause harm or injury

84

2.91

0.781

14

Provision of warning signs/posters/photographs/notice board

84

2.83

1.061

15

Provision of safety manual/handbook/ brochures/news letter

84

2.78

0.838

16

Disciplinary policy

84

2.68

0.906

17

Regular safety meeting

84

2.66

1.215

18

Organizing safety conference/safety week

84

2.66

0.968

19

Scaffolding properly and adequately fixed and inspected before mounting them

84

2.37

0.944

20

Ladders fixed and adequately secured in position before ascending them

84

2.34

0.912

21

Injury and incident reporting procedures

84

2.14

0.954

22

Strict monitoring of safety policy

84

2.12

0.907

23

Availability of emergency procedures

84

2.03

1.043

24

Proper keeping of safety records

84

2.00

0.718

25

Accident investigation

84

1.94

0.912

26

Average mean score

 

2.47

 

 

Table 4. Factors influencing level of compliance with H&S information

Factors

Valid

Mean

Standard Deviation

Rank

Management commitment

84

4.11

0.900

1

Lack of monitoring and enforcement

84

4.06

0.873

2

Cost of compliance

84

4.03

0.822

3

Fear of legal sanction

84

3.91

0.853

4

Weak legal structure

84

3.89

0.963

5

Higher profit margin

84

3.83

0.857

6

Availability of time/Time pressure

84

3.83

0.954

7

Belief and culture

84

3.80

0.901

8

Lack of awareness

84

3.77

0.910

9

Lack of adequate regulation

84

3.74

0.950

10

Absence of trained safety officer

84

3.71

0.860

11

Improper medium for disseminating information

84

3.57

1.119

12

Reputation of the firm

84

3.51

0.919

13

Tendering/contractual process

84

3.49

0.818

14

Negligence of human right

84

3.17

0.785

15

Perception of stakeholders

84

2.94

1.027

16

Client influence

84

2.67

0.873

17

Average mean score

 

3.44

 

 

Table 5. Correlation between health and safety compliance and safety of workers

Correlation Coefficient (r)

Nature of Association

T-test value

T-critical (3,0.05)

P- value

Decision

0.69

Strong positive correlation

1.686

3.282

0.5141

0.197

Accept Ho

8.3 Factors determining level of compliance of H&S information on construction sites

Compliance on H&S information on construction sites depends upon many factors. These factors were identified and presented to the respondents to rank in order of influence. Management commitment was ranked first with MS of 4.11 followed by lack of monitoring and enforcement (MS of 4.06) as presented in Table 4. The respondents also ranked cost of compliance (MS of 4.03), fear of legal sanction (MS of 3.91) and weak legal structure (MS of 3.89) as important factors influencing level of compliance with H&S information. Other factors such as tendering/contractual process, negligence of human right, perception of stakeholders and client influence did not determine workers level of compliance with H&S as indicated by the MS below average MS of 3.44.

8.4 Relationship between compliance with H&S information and safety of the workers

It is not enough to determine the level of H&S knowledge and compliance among the construction workers and their impact on safety of workers, rather it is important to establish a relationship between level of H&S compliance and safety of workers. This would help to ascertain the degree of their association and how significance their relationship and influence were. In view of this, hypothesis on the significant relationship between construction workers’ health and safety compliance and safety of workers was postulated as: There is no significant relationship between health and safety compliance and construction workers’ safety. The result of the correlation analysis was presented in Table 5.

The result of analysis in Table 5 showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.69) between the level of H&S compliance and safety of workers. This implied that compliance with H&S information in construction could lead to better safety of workers on site at least to some extent. This was attested by the value of the coefficient of determination (R² = 0.5141) which indicated that about 50.41% of variability could be achieved in the relationship.

However, when tested for the significance of the relationship, the result showed that t-calculated (1.686) was less than t-critical (3.282), at 5% significance level (α = 0.05) and (n-2) degree of freedom. This result therefore, revealed that there was no significant relationship between level of compliance with H&S information and safety of workers. This was substantiated by the score of the p-value (0.197) which was greater than 0.05 and rendered the relationship insignificant despite the strong and positive correlation. The strong positive correlation ordinarily suggests that compliance with H&S information could lead to safety of workers on sites, until the significance of the relationship was tested. This result suggested that compliance with H&S information alone could not ensure safety of workers because the relationship was insignificant. So therefore, even if there is adequate H&S information, knowledge and compliance among construction workers, it cannot translate to safety on construction sites.

9. Conclusions

This study has examined the level of knowledge and compliance with H&S information, factors influencing the level of compliance and how they translate to safety of construction sites workers in Lagos State, Nigeria. This study has found out that there was average level of knowledge of H&S information among the construction workers on sites in areas of first aid procedure, safety signs and symbols, use of personal protective equipment, procedure for safe operation and site regulations. It was also found that the level of compliance on this information was low. The result further revealed that management commitment and lack of monitoring and enforcement had influence on the level of compliance. The effect of compliance with H&S information on workers safety was high by establishing a strong positive correlation though not significant.

The study concluded that though there was positive relationship between level of H&S compliance and safety of workers though the relationship is not significant. This study further averred that compliance alone cannot substantially enhance safety of the workers even though it showed strong positive correlation with safety of the workers. This implies that there are other factors that are responsible for workers safety. Further research can be carried out to identify such factors.

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