ADOPTION OF EMERGING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) TOOLS FOR IMPROVING HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The need for effective management of health and safety on construction sites has always been emphasized by all practitioners in the construction industry in Nigeria and the world at large. The construction industry as a dynamic manufacturing sector is a sector where the most fatal occupational accidents and serious injuries have been recorded. There are various information and communication technologies tools or applications that can improve health and safety management on construction sites. Literatures were reviewed to identify the available ICT tools and applications, their capacities and benefits in improving management of health and safety on construction sites. These identified ICT tools are now typically equipped with touch screen, GPS receiver, gyroscope, accelerometer, and wireless communication capability. The features of the tools enable on-site management processes, such as location-based customized work orders and real time information exchange. A Survey to assess the extent adoption of ICT tools can improve the management of Health and Safety on construction sites in Nigeria was carried out by administering quantitative structured questionnaires to 118 professionals in five (5) selected construction companies in South Eastern states of Nigeria. The responses from respondents were analyzed using Relative Importance Index (RII).Previous studies have shown low application of these tools and applications in health and safety management on Nigerian construction sites. It was recommended that construction companies should train all their health and safety staff to be compliant with these ICT tools and applications for effective occupational health and safety management on construction sites in Nigeria.