ABSTRACT

The construction industry plays a great role in the country’s economy and as such, the health and safety of the workers of the industry must be considered as paramount. Sites accidents, when they occur can result in so many negativities such as injuries, project delays and even deaths which will in turn affect the project’s productivity in terms of time, quality and cost. The study examined and investigated the health and safety measures adopted by contractors in executing construction projects in Edo state, factors affecting health and safety measures and the relationship between health and safety measures and contractors’ cost performance. A total of 171 Contractors from 300 Contractors (Population of the study) was selected using random sampling method. The total number of questionnaires administered was the same number of the sample size, but a total of 77 (45%) was retrieved. The responses received were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS V.16). The results obtained from the analysis showed that Wearing of Safety boots/footwear is the most adopted safety measure in construction with a mean of 4.82 (ranked 1^st), followed by wearing of Hard hats/helmets with a mean of 4.55 (ranked 2^nd), followed by Working-at-height precautions with mean of 4.53 (ranked 3^rd) and the least adopted being Drugs and alcohol check with a mean of 1.62 (ranked 20^th). The factors that were identified to mostly affect health and safety measures are; Poor enforcement of health and safety policies and procedures, Absence/Low compensation scheme, Planned and organized site, Personal care for safety, Provision of safety clothing and equipment, Lack of strong Institutional framework for governing construction activities etc. The result obtained also showed that there is a statistically significant relationship between seven amongst the twenty-two identified health and safety measures and contractors cost performance. These factors are Carrying out of works by skilled trained personnel, wearing of Hard hats/helmets, Safety boots/footwear, Hazard signs, Protection of holes, Environment and waste disposal and Working-at-height precautions. The study recommended that to improve the contractors’ cost performance, Contractors must adhere strictly to safety precautions/measures.