1. CONTROL OF BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: A CASE
STUDY OF IBADAN, BY:
CHIEMELA VICTOR AMAECHI, Matric. No: 146593, B.Eng. (UNIZIK)
A Masters Project Summary of Masters Project Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for
the Award of Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering at the Department of Civil Engineering,
Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, in September 2010.
This project report was designed to assess the control of biological hazards in the construction industry:
a case study of Ibadan. The main objectives are to identify potential biological hazards, to identify
preventive actions to be taken and to select appropriate methods of treatment for specific bio-hazards in
the construction industry to ensure better health and safety of construction workers and a safer job site.
The research was a non-experimental analysis, but involved use of questionnaires and extensively dealt
with the various methods of the control of biological hazards, the relating applications and compared
some other researches done in this area; it also involved tables, bar charts and pie charts using SPSS
version 17. The data gotten from the questionnaire was tabulated, run, and analyzed using simple
frequencies and descriptive statistical tools.
There is a challenge in developing nations, as the condition of health facilities in developed nations is
better than that in developing nations, and this also applies to the construction industry in developing
nations. From this research taking Nigeria as a case study of a developing nation, the study revealed that
fewer percentage undergo routine check-up and there are little or no insurance policies in almost all the
sampled construction industry.
The result of the research also shows that the use of PPEs like nose masks, helmets, hand gloves and
work aprons will help in the control of biohazards in the construction industry such as asthma, cancer
and asbestosis. There should be the safety enlightenment programmes, workshops and seminars, and the
provision of first-aid boxes in all construction sites, and also HSE and trained health personnels. There
should be a thorough personal and family medical history. Lastly, the government should inspect site for
use of PPEs.
Keywords: Biological Hazards, Hazard Control, Construction Industry, HSE, and
Occupational Health and Safety.