Influence of Worker’s Wellbeing Practices on Safety Performance on Construction Sites in Abuja

Abstract

 The construction industry drives global and national development but remain highly accident prone due to its physical demands. In Nigeria, limited wellbeing intervention and weak safety enforcement mechanism, increase worker’s risk of accidents and low productivity. This research assessed the influence of workers wellbeing practices on leading indicators safety performance on construction sites in Abuja-Nigeria, focusing on the extent of workers wellbeing practices adoption and safety performance achieved based on wellbeing practices adopted. Quantitative research method was adopted for this study using the entire population of sixty-five (65) CORBON-registered firm operating in Abuja-Nigeria. Data were collected electronically (google form) using structured questionnaire and analysed with SPSS software using descriptive statistics (mean item score) and inferential statistics (correlation analysis). Findings revealed that wellbeing practices such as physical wellbeing practices (3.22) and financial wellbeing practices (3.24) were implemented moderately, while psychological wellbeing (2.98) and technology-driven wellbeing (3.02) were also moderately implemented but with lower mean score, indicating weak implementation leading to high ranking for physical focused safety performance indicators such as physical fitness assessment (3.78) and safety training (3.54) with lower mean score and moderate rating for mental health support (3.14) and safety technology integration (2.59). Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r=0.864) indicates a positive and strong relationship between safety performance and wellbeing practices. Regression analysis with (74.7%) R value for overall wellbeing practices and safety performance model, indicates that workers wellbeing practices is a predictive determinant of safety performance onsite. Workers wellbeing practices highly improve safety performance on construction sites. Construction firms should adopt a holistic wellbeing practices model that encompass all aspect of wellbeing practices, while regulators should provide incentives for compliance and strengthen enforcement. Workers wellbeing practices integration into safety culture will improve overall safety performance and productivity within the Nigeria construction sector.