Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Health and Safety Training Practices of Medium Sized Construction Firms in Abuja

Abstract

Health and Safety (H&S) training is one of the most widely adopted practices to improve workplace safety. Existing H&S literature focuses on training of workers in large sized construction firms leaving out the H&S training practices of medium sized construction firms in Abuja. The study therefore evaluated the effectiveness of H&S training practices of medium sized construction firms in Abuja, with a view to proposing strategies for reducing accidents on construction sites. The population for the study constitutes 25 construction firms registered with Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) operating within Abuja metropolis. Data were collected using questionnaire. Analysis of data was carried out using Relative Importance Index (RII) and Mean Item Score (MIS). The study identified 12 important H&S Training practices (average RII = 0.813) which are averagely complied with (average MIS = 4.067). Seven (7) important Regulations identified have significant impact on H&S performance of construction firms (average MIS = 4.08). 15 effective strategies were identified for reducing the rate of accidents, injuries and fatalities on construction sites (average MIS = 3.84). it was concluded that the level of compliance to H&S training practices among medium sized construction firms in Abuja, Nigeria is not effective. It was thus recommended that medium sized construction firms should implement the suggested strategies to the latter in order to create a conducive atmosphere for both management and workers to be able to implement the H&S Regulation and training practices for enhanced H&S performance.