Effective Safety And Health Planning On Construction Sites
[ONITSHA AND AWKA OF ANAMBRA STATE]

2.2.0    ACCIDENTS
2.2.1    TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENT
Studies and investigations have revealed the following types of construction site accident especially building construction. Construction site falls; crane Accident; Scaffolding Accidents; Run-over by operating Equipment, Electrical Accidents, Trench collapse; Fires and Explosion; welding Accidents; unsafe/Dangerous Equipment Accident; logging Accidents Bracing Accident; Cutting Accidents, Elevator Accidents; structure failure; Building collapse; supervisor Negligence; punch press malfunctions; fork lift Accident Dumster Accidents, compressor. Gas Explosions
2.2.1.1    CAUSES OF ACCIDENT (GENERAL TO ALL TRADE)
Howarth (1972) listed the following as the causes of accidents
1.    Ladder accidents
2.    Falls of materials
3.    Falls from roofs
4.    Falls from working platforms
5.    Collapse of excavations
6.    Transportation accidents
7.    Machinery accidents
8.    Protruding nails
He stated further that accidents can be prevented by improving the environment, guarding of machines, better site organization, the setting up of safety committee and better interior lighting.
2.2.1.2    Amaechi (1990) posited the following as the causes of accidents:
1.    Lack of ability on behalf of workmen, e.g. a reduction on ability of older men.
2.    Lack of knowledge on how to handle new material and techniques Impaired functions due to weather
3.    Conditions illness, effect of alcohol, fatigue, fright or shock
4.    Inattention –lack of interest and loss of concentration
5.    Deliberate risk taking for speed bonus or bravado
2.2.1.3    Corroborating Amaechi’s position on the working condition factor Fiona Murie-Director, Health, Safety and environment, international Federation of Building and wood workers stated that many hundreds of people suffer serious injuries and ill health because of bad and often illegal working conditions, he also stated that down sizing, out sourcing, the use of labour-only subcontracting and so called self-employed having a negative impact on the management of health and safety in constructions. That the responsibility for planning and coordination of health and safety are often un clear and compliant with health and safety law is generally poor, that informal contractual condition in the sector make it difficult for workers to exercise their rights: that to make matters worse self-regulation is increasingly widespread in the construction industry, and that the relevant administration frequently have permissive, passive attitude towards employers who ignore health and safety laws, even when this leads to the death of a worker.
2.2.2.1    STATISTICS OF SITES ACCIDENTS
The import and nature of construction accident can be well pointed with available statistics as sourced below: