Abstract:

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as framed out by the United Nations provide solutions to major challenges confronting humanity. The SDGs are interconnected and will require the concerted efforts of individuals and different sectors of the economy for attainment. One of the goals of the SDGs is to ensure good health and promote well-being for all by 2030. Sectors such as construction have high incidence of occupational hazards which affect the wellbeing of operatives in the industry. This paper reports the findings from a survey of 100 craftsmen about occupational hazards on construction sites. Through the use of purposive sampling technique, questionnaires were shared to the operatives at various construction sites in Lagos, Nigeria. Data obtained through the survey were evaluated by means of frequencies and charts. Of the respondents surveyed 38% experienced musco skeletal disorder in form of weakness in the arms, stiffness around the waist (21%) and backpain (15%). All the craftsmen in the study experienced one form of cardiovascular challenge or the other.  Overall, majority of the craftsmen surveyed were suffering from one form of health challenge or the other. On an individual level, occupational hazards drain the resources of workers. It also leads to absenteeism, low productivity and poor project performance. On a national scale, occupational hazards increase disease burden which is an additional cost to government spending on health care. The paper concludes that occupational hazards can negatively affect the income of workers, inhibit the achievement of decent work and affect the overall health and wellbeing of workers. Specifically, goals 1 (no poverty), goal 3 (health and wellbeing) and goal 8 (decent work) will be adversely affected if stakeholders do not take steps to reduce the occurrence of occupational hazards. The findings from the research can be used to create policies on occupational safety and compliance on construction sites.