Finalyear

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUN OF THE STUDY
Building construction is one of the branches in the construction industry. Perhaps the most common amongst all. In line with Bamilsile, (2014) this is as result of the fact that building provides shelter and has been of the primary need of human beings since the days of the early man.
Building construction industry according Harper (2010) has gone a longway in employing labour all over the world especially in developing countries where construction practices and procedures are carried out manually, as can be seen in Nigeria, that is to say that, even if other sectors of the construction industry do not carryout construction projects, such as railways bridges, dams etc building will surely be constructed as a result of its all time importance to humanity.
Chudley (2015)adds that the construction industry has also been able to give a niche to key persons to serve as stakeholders in the industry. These stakeholders are buddened with the smooth running of the activities of the industries. In a cooperate establishment, these stakeholders maintain individual position and play vital roles to eh success of any ongoing projects and no matter the cadre of nay of the stakeholders, the importance of their duties can never be over emphasized. These stakeholders can be divided into those in the managerial cadre and those in the works department. This stakeholders, whether in the administrative department or works department, always preferably professional trained in the construction field study. They include, the architect, the builders, the civil engineers, the quantity surveyor, the project managers etc. these professionals ensure that the goal of any construction project is achieved. Their duties are interviewed and as such they must form a formidable team to achieve their goals. Their duty is to guide and direct the activities of those in the work department they are called the labourers, who can also actually be sub-contractors and foreman.
On the other side, as the world has become smaller through technology and through cooperative arrangement that cross many borders, the issue of the construction worker’s health and safety has become a well-recognized problem and represents a concern that is shared worldwide.
A healthy and safety law system (Thain, 1998) is a process put in place by an employer to minimize the risk of injury and illness. This is accompanied by identifying, assessing and controlling risk to workers in all workplace operations. The complexity of health and safety management system varies according to the type of workplace and nature of operation carried out. It organizes efforts and procedures for identifying workplace hazards and reduces accidents and exposure to harmful situations and substances.
According to Nigeria of safety professionals (NISP July, 2009) health is define as the complete state of individual physical mental, social emotional, and spiritual well-being and not just the absence of disease and infirmity. The word “safety” according to Nigeria institute of safety professionals (NISP August, 2008) is defined as the state of being free from harm (injury, death, loss damage and pollution). Every individual wants to be safe for a worthy life. A business organization needs its employee to be safe for continuous operation to meet targets and objectives as well as to conserve its vital resources. This can take the form of being protected from the event or form of exposure to something that causes health or economic losses.
According to safety handbook by the Nigeria institute of safety professional (NISP) safety in the industry should be concerned with prevention of injury to personnel and prevention of damage to equipment and environment through pollution. It is true that no normal person wants to be injured or endangered. However, experience over the years has shown that many workers do not maintain this safety consciousness at all times while working. Many do not show concern for the safety of their colleagues or the loss of the company due to damage of equipment. To avoid all these unpleasant event, workers must be encourage to be safety conscious always, the slogan , “safety first” must be loud and clear and a watch word among all workers.
Afikpo North is predominantly a town that has become one of the major towns in Ebony State, being the somewhat headquarters of the people of Afikpo which consists of Afikpo North and Afikpo South. Over the years the town has had its share of construction activities ranging from road to basic constructions like building construction.
However, in recent times especially with the administration of the present government led by Engr. David Umahi, more construction activities have been going on the local government area. Infrastructural development such as roads, bridges and flyovers are being constructed by the state government as well as those attracted by senate members and House of Assembly members, with of course the construction of buildings by private individuals. But, it is safe to say that the implementation of health and safety measures have not been adhered not even to the most basic and fundamental level in Afikpo North.
The reasons for these non-acceptance or non-acceptance or non-adhereance of these laws are arguably but excuses. Regardless of the fact that there are into construction companies in the local government (Afikpo North) some argue that this fact hinders the implementation of these health and safety laws, stating that they can only be implemented when construction jobs are being carried out supervised by certified construction companies and not just individuals.
However, looking at it from another perspective, one may be right to say that the fault lies on the construction worker (Artisans) as some say that labourers should always have protective materials to protect themselves even when not provided by their employers but it is arguably an issue of acceptance by the artisans as it can be seen even those who work for employer at the state level carrying out construction works in Afikpo North still do not adhere to the health and safety measures of their employers as most would say they inconvenient them..
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The importance of health and safety measures in the construction industry can never be over emphasized. However, the bone of contention remains the non-adherence or even non-existence of these measures in the conventional construction site, in developing countries such as Nigeria, with limited resources in terms of mechanized methods employed in construction sites, it is quite unfortunate how little health and safety measures are adhere to.
A construction workers sees wearing safety equipment such as safety boots, helments and the likes as a heavy load. No matter how much you try to preach to them they never agree been when they do, it is only for a while, this leads to the reluctance of stakeholders at the higher cadre of construction companies towards the procurement of safety gadgets for unskilled labours in their company and this is very disturbing. It is necessary therefore to keep ascertains every stakeholder in the construction industry in Nigeria to the need for obeying the law of health and safety as well as the importance of the regular hammering of these laws to the hearing of all by the department of health and safety of every construction company in Nigeria.
1.3 AIMS OF THE STUDY
The principal aim of this research is to review the health and safety laws with a view to ensuring effective building project delivery.