Assessment of Client-Led Health and Safety Management Practices for Construction Project Delivery in Nigeria: An Expert Perspective

Abstract

The Nigerian construction industry continues to experience poor health and safety (H&S) outcomes, largely due to weak regulatory enforcement and limited client involvement. This study explores the role of construction clients in strengthening H&S management practices within a self-regulatory environment. A three-round Delphi survey involving 15 experts from government, private, and academic sectors was conducted to identify client-led H&S practices and barriers to their implementation. The results indicate that the most common client-driven practices include appointing H&S personnel, prioritizing safety during meetings, enforcing compliance with H&S plans, prequalifying contractors, and notifying stakeholders of site-related risks. However, several barriers hinder effective implementation, notably inadequate staff training, weak regulatory frameworks, lack of management commitment, poor supervision, and financial constraints. Strong expert consensus was achieved, as reflected in Kendall's W values of 0.784 for practices and 0.798 for barriers. The findings highlight significant gaps in policy, institutional capacity, and accountability, emphasizing the need for harmonized regulation, enhanced client training, and systemic reform. Comparative insights further suggest that while systemic challenges persist in developing nations such as Nigeria, proactive client engagement in developed contexts provides a replicable model for improving construction safety outcomes.