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Evaluation of Building Construction Site Accidents: A Case Study of Some Selected Building Projects in Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Construction safety
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722283
Abstract
The construction industry remains one of the most hazardous sectors globally, with building construction activities accounting for a significant proportion of occupational injuries and fatalities. In Nigeria, research on construction safety has largely relied on questionnaire-based assessments of safety perceptions, while relatively limited attention has been devoted to the analysis of documented accident records capable of revealing actual accident characteristics and reporting practices. This study evaluated building construction site accidents using accident investigation forms obtained from twenty selected building projects in Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria. The study examined accident types, construction activities associated with accidents, injury characteristics, body parts affected, immediate and underlying causes of accidents, and the completeness of accident reporting practices. A descriptive analytical approach was adopted using documented accident reports collected from active construction projects. The findings revealed that falls from height (35%) constituted the most frequent accident category, followed by struck-by-object incidents (25%). Minor cuts and bruises (40%) and other non-fatal injuries (40%) represented the dominant injury outcomes, while lower-limb injuries accounted for 50% of all reported injuries. Poor housekeeping, inadequate risk assessment, lack of maintenance, fatigue, and deficiencies in organizational safety management emerged as major contributory factors. The evaluation of accident reporting practices showed that although accident occurrence and victim information were generally documented, critical investigation components, including witness statements, corrective actions, management review, and regulatory reporting, were frequently incomplete. The study concludes that construction accidents in Akure are driven by a combination of technical, organizational, and reporting deficiencies rather than worker behavior alone. It recommends the development of a standardized construction accident reporting system, mandatory risk assessment procedures, improved temporary works management, routine equipment inspection, and enhanced regulatory oversight to strengthen construction safety performance in Nigeria.
Keywords
Construction Safety, Accident Reporting, Falls from Height, Occupational Injuries, Risk Assessment.
How to cite this paper
@article{1722283,
author = {Williams Opeyemi Samuel, Olowolayemo Oluwaseun Ebenezer , Ogunbode Akintoye Benson},
title = {Evaluation of Building Construction Site Accidents: A Case Study of Some Selected Building Projects in Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {2},
pages = {1253-1263},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1722283.pdf},
abstract = {The construction industry remains one of the most hazardous sectors globally, with building construction activities accounting for a significant proportion of occupational injuries and fatalities. In Nigeria, research on construction safety has largely relied on questionnaire-based assessments of safety perceptions, while relatively limited attention has been devoted to the analysis of documented accident records capable of revealing actual accident characteristics and reporting practices. This study evaluated building construction site accidents using accident investigation forms obtained from twenty selected building projects in Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria. The study examined accident types, construction activities associated with accidents, injury characteristics, body parts affected, immediate and underlying causes of accidents, and the completeness of accident reporting practices. A descriptive analytical approach was adopted using documented accident reports collected from active construction projects. The findings revealed that falls from height (35%) constituted the most frequent accident category, followed by struck-by-object incidents (25%). Minor cuts and bruises (40%) and other non-fatal injuries (40%) represented the dominant injury outcomes, while lower-limb injuries accounted for 50% of all reported injuries. Poor housekeeping, inadequate risk assessment, lack of maintenance, fatigue, and deficiencies in organizational safety management emerged as major contributory factors. The evaluation of accident reporting practices showed that although accident occurrence and victim information were generally documented, critical investigation components, including witness statements, corrective actions, management review, and regulatory reporting, were frequently incomplete. The study concludes that construction accidents in Akure are driven by a combination of technical, organizational, and reporting deficiencies rather than worker behavior alone. It recommends the development of a standardized construction accident reporting system, mandatory risk assessment procedures, improved temporary works management, routine equipment inspection, and enhanced regulatory oversight to strengthen construction safety performance in Nigeria.},
keywords = {Construction Safety, Accident Reporting, Falls from Height, Occupational Injuries, Risk Assessment.},
month = {August},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722283}
}