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INTRODUCTION

WHAT ARE BUILDING CODES

According to Microsoft learning essentials (Encarta 2008), Building codes, are

municipal and state laws regulating the construction of buildings and prescribing

minimum requirements for fire protection, sanitation, and safety. Such laws are

intended primarily to set standards for new construction but also to prevent the

continued use of buildings deficient in these respects. Often attacked as

confiscatory, these laws have been held by the courts to be within the police power

of the state.

The advent of building codes could be traced as far back as 1790 B.C. when the

code of HAMMURABI came into existence. The code stressed the point of that

the safety of the occupants should be put into consideration during the construction

of such building otherwise, heavy penalties awaits the builder of such a building if

the building eventually collapse.

The code of HAMMURABI states as follows: if a man builds for another and the

building collapse and kills the owner, the builder will be put to death. If the

building kills the son of the owner, the son of the builder will be put to death. If the

building destroys the property of the owner, the builder will replace the damaged

property.
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THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE IN NIGERIA

The National Building Code is a document that was signed into law in 2007 by the

civilian regime of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo after a series of building collapse in

Nigeria especially in Lagos. The government as at that time felt that there was need

to put a stop to the incessant collapse and also, to eventually to put Nigeria into a

more planned status. This reason gave bought about the advent of the National

building code.

GENERAL CONTENT

The National Building Code has 4 Parts and 14 sections

Part 1

This part contains 3 sections and deals with the administration.

 Section 1 Citation

 Section 2 Definitions

 Section 3 Administration by committee

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Part 2

This part deals with the technicality in the building process in the following

sections

 Section 4 Building typology

 Section 5 The construction process by elemental classification

 Section 6 Environmental requirements

 Section 7,8,9 The professionals and their responsibilities

 Section 10 The building materials and their components

 Section 11 Construction

 Section 12 Post construction technology requirements

Part 3

This part deals with the enforcement of the code

 Section 13 Control of building works.

Part 4

This part contains schedules and references

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 Section 14 Referenced standards

And on the final note contains the compliance form.

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION

Health as defined by Longman’s Dictionary of Contemporary English is a state of

being well in body and mind and free from disease while Safety is described by the

same dictionary as a condition of being free from danger, harm or risk. Bokinni

(2006) on the other hand describe Safety as a control of recognized hazards to

attain an acceptable level of risk.

Naturally, the effect of construction on Safety, Health and the surrounding

environment would vary from particular operations starting with extraction of

building materials from quarries and methods by which the extraction is occurring,

transportation, preparation of building materials at site and construction of works

processes.

Health and Safety in Building construction projects should be a major concern for

everybody in the construction industry but it is a pity that it in this part of the world

especially in Nigeria, enough attention is not been given to the issue.

In the Civil and building construction works which involve excavation, and/or

demolition, concrete work, painting, roofing, operation of machines, plant and

equipment, use of hand tools and many other operations call for attention from
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relevant authorities, regulatory bodies, societies, scientists, professionals and

businessmen to establish safety and health management programs and laws

governing construction works activities.

Health and Safety is an inevitable aspect of construction and this is so because the

only time an employee will perform his duties is when the employee is in good

health and is sure of a safety working condition. This boils to the fact that a worker

will perform his duties to the fullest only when he is sure that even when an

accident occurs he will be taken good care of.

One of the most important things that an employer should provide to his employees

is safety even at a low risk site.

At sites where heavy machinery is being used; it is certain that the level is higher

because of the mechanical movement of parts of such machinery and therefore for

the employee that will be monitoring or operating such machinery will be exposed

to accidents. In a case like this, it should be known that the level of safety that will

be provided will be much more than that of a site where ordinary hand tools are

been used.

Based on the above, we now understand that the level of Safety and Health

protection will be higher nowadays because of the rapid mechanization of the

construction industry and the accidents that may occur will definitely be more

fatal.
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ACCIDENTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITE

Accidents are some unpleasant and damaging happenings or occurrence that

happens unexpectedly or by chance or by mistake. (Longman’s Dictionary of

Contemporary English). Encarta Dictionary also state that accidents are mishap

which are unplanned and unfortunate events that result into damage, injury or upset

of some kind.

Accidents on construction sites cannot be over emphasized; it could happen as a

result of a mistake or lack of concentration or even natural disaster.

Accidents can occur even when the job to be done is minimal and could be very

disastrous.

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

The rationale behind investigation of accidents is to determine the causes of such

with a view of preventing a reoccurrence, gather data for use in any criminal or

civil proceedings, to enable confirm or refuse of a claim or injuries benefit and

paper notifications to be made to enforcing agency.

During the investigation of an accident the following should be answered:

• What caused the accident

• Who was involved in the accident

• When did it occur

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• Whether the person involved was wearing protective clothing

• How it could have been prevented

• How it will not re-occur

ACCIDENT REPORTING

Reporting or recording accidents should be a day-to-day thing as the work

progresses. On this note, it makes it important for an accident register book to exist

on site in which all types of minor injuries such as bruises, to major accidents like

imputing disability and fatal be recorded.

Death or dangerous injuries should be reported by the quickest means (usually

telephone) and subsequently confirmed in writing as soon as possible. The report

should state the date and time of the occurrence, full name and occupation of the

injured person, the place of the occurrence and a brief description of the

circumstance.

Below is a format an accident record and information it contains:

Full Name:

Occupation:

Nature of injury/condition:

Place of occurrence:

Date and time:

Brief description of circumstances:

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Action taken:

ACCIDENT CONTROL

When an accident occur , it only shows that something has gone wrong with one or

more process of the job or some elements of carelessness on the part of the workers

or an employer has created an unsafe condition of work. Therefore an employer or

site supervisor should put in place all necessary prevention or control materials and

take control of contributory causes of the accident. The employer or site supervisor

should also know the physical and mental state of the workers to be sure of the

safety level of the site.

In ascertaining a reasonable safety control level, the site supervisor should put into

consideration the following:

1. Supervisor safety analysis

• job hazard analysis

• enforcement of safety rules

• adequate safety knowledge

• promotion of employee participation in safety

• development of safety working condition

2. Mental condition of worker

3. Physical condition of worker

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Other measures of accident control as explained by Bokinni (2006) are highlighted

below:

The work environment

1. All floors should be clean, not slippery and free from debris

2. Stairs, gangways and loading bays should be adequately guarded and maintained

3. Adequate illumination for workspace

4. Holes, edges and opening should be adequately protected.

5. Display of standard warning signs where hazard exists

6. Materials and components should be stacked correctly

7. Projecting objects or obstacles should be adequately protected.

Protective clothing

Provision of protective clothing and equipments are as well important. For safety

purpose, workers on a construction site should be adequately protected using the

following clothing or \ and equipments

• safety helmets

• safety boots

• welding shields

• vision goggles

• waist safety belts for ladders

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• Industrial gloves.

• green welder’s gauntlet

• dust mask

• Ear defenders. E.t.c

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION SITES.

Occupational Health is the promotion and maintenance of the higher degree of

physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations.

At the construction workplaces the workers are exposed to hazards of occupational

diseases and injuries and the adverse effects of excessively long hours of work.

Machines, plants and other sophisticated construction equipment posse danger to

the operators, who in most cases do not have prior skills for operating such

machines or plants.

Occupational health services should be concerning with the preventive measures

laid down to guide the employers the workers and their representatives on the

requirements for a safe healthy working environment.

A worker should be assigned duties in relation to his physical and mental health

and skills.

Further, employers should have complete control over their employees and

therefore ensure adherence to safety practices.

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The company must comply with all provisions of safety and health regulations that

pertain to the construction works itself.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAMMES

Safety program on a project is set by the prime contractor’s project manager who

maps out a program of safety measures commensurate with the size of the project

and the conditions and hazards peculiar to it. (Mwombeki, 2005).

Programs for construction safety as stated by Mwombeki include:

• Adequate first aid facilities and trained personnel and Safety committee

comprising of key personnel –supervisors, safety personnel and company

doctor.

• Disaster control programs, which should be maintained by the in-charge who

is a qualified personnel.

• Crew leaders who hold brief meetings with workers under their supervisor at

least once a week to discuss the safety operation of their crew and workers,

and specific problems (held after the safety committee meeting)

• Safety instructions given to all new workers as part their introduction

• Special mass safety meetings called by the project engineer (all workers

attend this meeting)

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• Safety devices designed to prevent injury and accidents during building and

road construction works.

• Management and supervisors visit the workers and inspect the works and

participate in the safety programs periodically.

• Evaluation and review of programs as required by changing conditions to

address new problems that may arise.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

According to Bamishile (2004) the programme’s main objectives are listed as

follows

• To secure the health, safety and welfare of all those who work or visit the

work site.

• To protect persons other than persons listed above against risk to health and

safety arising out of, or in connection with the activities of persons working

on the site.

• To control the admission into the atmosphere of noxious or offensive

substance.

• To control the keeping and use of explosion or highly flammable or

otherwise dangerous substance.

• To control the use on site of substance that may be hazardous to health.

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

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This a legislative instrument put in place to ensure that at all times , the safest and

healthiest working conditions is provide at a work site using measures of

international standard.

It also states the responsibilities at the top management to the general to the

general workforce.

SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS OF THE POLICY.

• The management will make known all the risk and health hazard as far as

the construction site is concerned.

• The management of the firm will ensure a qualitative training of personnel

as regards safety on site.

• The construction manager / safety manager will identify the main hazards on

the construction site and set additional rules and regulation.

• In the case of accidents, the procedure laid down for accident reporting will

be followed and the result of accident analysis will be available to

management and the health and safety committee.

HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

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This is a committee that ensures a reduced level of risks to health and safety on site

and it comprises of:

1. SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER - Chairman/ Safety manager.

2. PROJECT MANAGER – Secretary

3. PROJECT SUPERVISOR – Member

4. SCAFFOLD SUPERVISOR – Member

HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING

In order to promote safety awareness on maintenance site, the operators of the site

at all levels should be trained for the safety and health on site. This training

programme is to be arranged at least once every month and must be compulsory

for all site operators. The issues to be treated are listed below;

• Causes of accidents

• Cost of accidents

• Accident preventions

• Health and safety regulations

• Duties and responsibilities of participants

• Emergency procedures

• Machine and equipment testing, inspection and maintenance.

TOOLS USED IN HEALTH AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

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• Health and safety register

• Health and safety briefing sessions

• Minutes of meeting of health and safety committee.

• Dates and names of participants of health and training programme.

SOME SECTIONS OF THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE RELEVANT

TO HEALTH AND SAFETY

Section 7.43.1 states that “The provisions of this section are intended to maintain

or increase the degree of public safety, health, and general welfare in existing

building while permitting repair, alterations, additions, and/or change of use

without requiring full compliance with sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, except

where compliance with other provisions of this code is specifically required in this

chapter.

Section 7.43.2.2 state that “Where the code enforcement officer determines that an

unsafe condition exists, as provided for in section 2.5, such unsafe condition shall

be in accordance to section 2.5.

Section 7.45.1 states that “The evaluation of the building for fire safety purposes

shall be assessed as follows (a) fire safety (b) means of egress and (c) general

safety as defined in sections 12.3.2.1, 12.3.2.2, and 12. 3.2.3.

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Section 7.46.3.1 states that “It shall be unlawful to load any structure, temporary

support, scaffolding sidewalk bridge or sidewalk shed or any other device or

construction equipment during the construction or demolition of any building or

structure in excess of its safe working capacity as provided in section 8 for

allowable loads and working stresses.

Section 7.46.3.2 states that “Whenever any doubt arises as to the structural quality

or strength of scaffolding plank or other construction equipment, such material

shall be replaced, or the code enforcement officer shall require a strength test to

four times the superimposed live load to which the material or structural member is

to be subjected. The member shall sustain the test load without failure.

Section 7.46.4.1 states that “When inspection of any construction operation reveals

that any unsafe or irregular conditions exists, code enforcement officer shall notify

the owner and direct the owner to take necessary remedial measures to remove the

hazard or violation.

Sections 7.46.4.2 states that “Unless the owner so notified proceeds to comply with

the orders of the code enforcement officer within 7 days, the code enforcement

officer shall have full power to correct the usage condition as provided in sections

2.3.6.2 and 2.6. All expenses incurred in the correction of such unsafe condition

shall be a lien on the property.

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Section 7.46.4.3 states that “When the strength and adequacy of any scaffolding or

construction equipment is in doubt, or when any complaint is made, the code

enforcement officer shall inspect the equipment and shall prohibit its use until

tested as required in section 13.1.6.2 or until all danger is removed.

Section 13.5.1 states that “All building or structures regulated by this code and

other related technical codes which are structurally inadequate or have inadequate

means of egress, or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to

life and property are, for the purpose of this section, unsafe.

Section 13.5.2 states that “(g) building service equipment or installations regulated

by such codes, which constitute a fire, electrical, or health hazard, or unsanitary

condition, or is otherwise dangerous to human life is for the purpose of this

section, unsafe.

(h) any use of buildings, structures unable to sustain the design loads specified in

this code are hereby designated as unsafe building appendages.

(i) all such unsafe buildings, structures or appendages and building services

equipment and installations are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall

be abated by repair, rehabilitation, depletion or removal in accordance with the

procedure set forth in this code.

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These and many more sections in the code have spelt out the minimum level of risk

a worker should be exposed to and it has also stated the minimum requirement for

health and safety on every construction site.

THE RELEVANCE OF THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE TO HEALTH

AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION

The National Building Code has been of a reasonable advantage to the construction

industry in Nigeria especially in the aspect of health and safety of workers on site.

The provisions of the Code with respect to health and safety has been of

tremendous help in stating the responsibilities of the parties involved In the

construction industry in providing health and safety.

Originally the average Nigerian worker does not know his right as pertain to health

and safety and will see the provision of the same as a favour or privilege instead of

a right. But the code has shown that it is one of the primary duties of the employer

to ensure a good and safe working condition.

CONCLUSION
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In conclusion the National Building Code addressed the issue of health and safety

in the construction industry amongst other issues addressed. The emergence of the

National Building Code will also make construction work to be carried out in the

safest possible working conditions.

The National Building Code, if properly followed and implemented, will prune the

construction industry of all forms of unsafe acts, unsafe working condition, and

unsafe process of construction.

REFERENCE

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Bokinni . S .K. (2006) Building aftercare, Tony terry publisher, Lagos.

Bamishile .A. (2004) Building Production Management, Wemimo Adetayo

Publishers , Lagos

Federal Republic of Nigeria National Building Code (2006) LexisNexis

Butterworks, South Africa.

Bokinni. S. K (1999) Give the art of safety awareness, accident prevention a new

look (unpublished) pg (1,3 ,9)

Bokinni .S. K (2002) Industrial Safety and Accident Prevention (unpublished)

CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE -- SECTIONS 105400-105430.

www.hse.com

Hassan et al. Perception Of Building Construction Workers Towards Safety,

Health And Environment, unpublished. www.um.edu.my/hassan.pdf

Health and Safety Executive www.hse.com

Mwombeki F.K. (2005). Occupational Health & Safety Challenge in Construction

Sites in Tanzania, unpublished, www.hse.com

Occupational Health and Safety Policy Administrative Policies Administration and

Governance. www.uottawwa.ca

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