Stakeholders worried about safety measures in building projects

With complexities in design, execution and actualization of constructions projects, stakeholders in the building sector have called for an inclusion of health and safety measures as part of construction document.

This, they said, will guide the processes of construction to ensure that works are carried out safely and in a healthy environment.

The call was the thrust of discussion at the 27th Builders’ conference and yearly general meeting organised by the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) with the theme: “Health, safety and environmental concerns and their management on building projects in Lagos State: Holistic approach and best practices”.

NIOB president, Kenneth Nduka said, report of many construction workers that are killed or injured on site are replete.

Apart from those working on sites, children and other members of the public are also killed or injured because construction activities and its host environment have not been adequately controlled.

“There is the need for everyone involved in the construction activities to define policy decisions and map out strategies towards recognizing the obtuse vulnerability to which all parties are exposed.

“These approach will accordingly precipitate such mitigating steps that will shield construction workers, their families, and the general public away from the afflictions of unnecessary injuries, pain, losses, damages, legal claims and concomitant suffering”, he added.

For the Managing Director, Berger Paints Nigeria, Mr. Peter Folikwe, the building industry and the hazards around it is quite high even though it contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation.

He stressed that as a company that produces lead-free paint, it puts the health of people than its quest to make money hence their products are regarded as expensive.

Chairman, NIOB Lagos State chapter, Adelaja Adekanmbi noted that a builder carrying out work on construction site has to contend with the challenges of understanding the health risks from construction activities and how to eliminate or prevent them.

“It is my sincere hope that the enforcement of health and safety regulations as enshrined in the National Building code and Lagos State safety commission is one of the core competence area of builders will add value to project planning at conception and guarantee project delivering in safe and healthy construction environment.”