Analyzing the Causes and Safety Practices of controlling accidents and fatalities in Construction Site in Tertiary Institutions in North-West Nigeria: A Pathway to Improved Safety Practices

The thrust of this study is to investigate the causes of accidents and fatalities and the safety practices in construction sites in tertiary institutions in northwest Nigeria. The study adopted the survey research design and purposive sampling technique to select forty-two participants for the study comprises of directors of works, physical planning, chief builders and supervisors of contracting firms. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire of strongly agreed to strongly disagree was designed to obtain pertinent data from respondents and the obtained data were subjected to analysis using the relative importance index (RII). Findings from the analysis reveals that the lack of proper training on safety protocols and procedures is the most significant causes of accidents and fatalities in constructions sites, with an RII of 0.9143 followed by Poor safety culture, where speed and efficiency are prioritized over safety, ranks second with an RII of 0.8476. Furthermore, data analysis shows that conducting regular safety inspections of the construction site to identify potential hazards and ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards and mandating the use of appropriate PPE, such as helmets, gloves, safety boots, and high-visibility vests emerged highly important amongst the safety practices in the construction sites in the tertiary institutions. It is therefore concluded that there is need for continuous improvement in safety standards, emphasizing proactive measures such as strict adherence to safety protocols, the provision of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and robust training. Integrating safety considerations into all phases of project management emerges as crucial for achieving sustainable safety outcomes. Moreover, the study advocates for fostering a strong safety culture that permeates organizational policies and practices, ensuring on-going commitment to safety at all levels.