Occupational Health and Safety Compliance Among Workers in Shared Offices in Abuja, Nigeria

The study assessed Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) compliance in the Federal Secretariat Phase 1 and 3, Abuja, Nigeria. A descriptive survey was adopted, with structured questionnaires administered to 279 respondents (167 from phase 1, 112 from Phase 3), yielding a 92.4% response rate. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Version 25 through descriptive and inferential statistics (means, t-test, and chi-square). Findings revealed low-to-moderate awareness and implementation (mean-2.86), widespread hazards, dominated by blocked exits and faulty wiring, and extremely low regulatory compliance (mean=2.01). All parameters were significantly worse in the older Phase 1 than in Phase 3(p<0.001), leading to acceptance of the null hypothesis of no significant compliance and strong support for significant inter-building differences. Despite the dire situation, respondents from both phases showed overwhelming consensus (mean importance = 4.53) in prioritising a dedicated OSH unit, mandatory annual training, and regular safety audits. Results underscore the urgent need for simultaneous behavioural and enforcement interventions to transform the federal secretariat from a high-risk environment into a safe workplace.