Impacts of Electrical Hazards on Nigerian Construction Industries with a View to Provide Safety Measures- Case Study of Kaptron Technologies

Abstract: Electrical hazard remains a global occurrence that plagues construction industries in Nigeria Electricity is one of the most common causes of fires, electric shocks, electrocutions and thermal burns in construction industries. Because electricity is a familiar part of our lives, it is often not treated with enough caution. As a result, an average of one worker is electrocuted on the job every day of every year during construction work.  No one can replace a worker or loved one that has died or suffered an irreparable consequence of an electrical accident. Researchers are of the opinion that electrical safety in the construction sector is an indispensable component for economic development of the country.  In the light of the above, this paper examines the impacts of electrical hazards on the Nigerian construction industries with a view to provide safety measures using Kaaptron technologies as case study. The amount of current the body can withstand, the time it takes a body to be electrocuted when in contact with electricity and risk analyses were issues considered in this study. This study also used a participatory appraisal technique whereby, the electrical engineers and technicians were made to identify the types and magnitude of electrical hazards they encounter in their daily lives. The overall study shows that tasks performed under wet conditions could draw current as high as 480mA and that a body of 500Ω resistance has just 0.2s to be electrocuted when in contact with a 120v supply. The risk analysis revealed that 6 out of 10 construction devices were not safe to work on. Safety measures to eliminate injuries or deaths at construction sites were proffered.