Abstract

The building construction industry remains one of the most hazardous sectors, particularly in developing countries such as Nigeria, where noncompliance with regulatory safety standards and the limited adoption of international best practices increase the risk of accidents on construction sites. This study aimed to benchmark construction safety work procedures and evaluate safety management approaches in Nigerian building construction sites. A qualitative research approach was adopted, utilizing a structured observation checklist. Descriptive statistics were used to determine compliance levels and rankings. Findings revealed that fall protection procedures had the highest compliance rate (94.5%), followed by excavation and shoring (92.7%) and demolition practices (87.3%). Full compliance was observed in the use of guardrails, hydraulic shoring systems, personal protective equipment (PPE), and engineering surveys for demolition. Results on safety management approaches showed that construction firms demonstrated compliance with emergency action plans, PPE provision, medical services and first aid, noise exposure control, and working-at-height safety requirements. In addition, safety and health programs were widely adopted (83.6%), emphasizing proactive workplace inspections, training, and emergency preparedness. The study concludes that there has been commendable progress in the adoption of safety measures in construction. The study recommends enforcement of safety policies by safety officers and the institutionalization of safety management systems to achieve a proactive and sustainable safety culture in building construction sites.

Key words: Construction Safety, Compliance, Benchmarking, Safety Management