Assessing Health and Safety Practices in the Nigerian Construction Industry in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Issues and Challenges

Health and Safety is an important aspect of production in the construction industry. The application of Health and Safety practices within the construction process and operations faces different issues and challenges. This study considers issues and challenges faced in the construction industry in the Era of the 4IR, affecting the construction operation and process. A field survey was conducted among construction professionals in Lagos State, Nigeria, to identify issues and challenges they faced in H&S practices on construction project activities. A simple random sampling method was used to collect data, and 87 questionnaires were retrieved from the construction professionals within the study area. Data collected were computed using a descriptive statistical approach. A statistical data equation was used to determined the valid mean item score. The study finds indicated that working at high elevation, size of the project, risk of job losses due to digitalisation, and lack of implementation of safety regulations were the highest-ranked issues and challenges facing H&S practices in the Nigerian construction industry in the Era of the fourth industrial revolution. The study concluded that H&S practitioners should be trained on the importance and application of digitalisation tools in the H&S practices in the construction projects operations and processes.