Abstract:
Analysis of all identified hazards and assessment of risks influencing project performance from the highway and railway construction industries in the Eastern part of Nigeria was conducted for reducing the dangers of a specific task and the risk of injury to workers. Likert scaling using mean index formula was used to calculate the data gotten through a questionnaire survey administered by self to the construction industries after a mini training on health, safety and environmental culture in the construction industries. The level of hazards and risk were determined using qualitative method of data analysis adopting the use of matrix analysis table. Based on the literature cited, five types of hazards and six types of risks with their sub titles were selected from projects relating to construction. Three companies were targeted and selected randomly from each state in order to obtain equal representation of the entire companies within the area of study. A total of 160 questionnaires were distributed to staff working with the selected construction industries. For various reasons, 44 did not respond reducing the sample size to 116. The respondent’s rate of 72.5% was obtained. The distribution and collection was carried out within a period of two months. (February – April 2014). The reliability tests were performed on the scale of each hazard and risk using the cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient which measures the consistency of items in responses to questions. Among the five types of hazards listed, social, physical and chemical hazards have the highest hazard level. While among the six types of risk listed, social, political and construction risks have the highest level of risk..The results support the literature illustrating that lack of awareness of safety regulation, inadequate safety performance, lack of job security, work overload, dry cement, dust, vibration and sun are the most hazardous and most prevalent risks in the construction industries within the studied area.
