RISK IN CONSTRUCTION

RISK IN CONSTRUCTION

Risk in Construction – Risk is the probability of occurrence of a defined hazard and the magnitude of the consequences. Risk and uncertainties are inherent in all construction projects.

Risk in relation to construction was describe by Bufaied (1987) as a variable in the process of construction projects whose variation results in uncertainty as to the final cost, duration and quality of the project.

Ashworth and Hogg (2003) explained that all projects have life cycle or a sequence of stages and activities from beginning to completion and there is always a degree of risk associated with each stage.

RISK ASSOCIATED WITH CONSTRUCTION WORK

Shittu (1996) indicated that the risk which exists in the construction site during the process of work may arise as a result of the following possible injuries :

a) The possibilities of injury to persons

b) The possibilities of damage to property

c) The possibilities of damage to the work or part of the work.

d) The possibilities of loss of materials and plant items

INJURY TO PERSONS

This occurs in two ways, injury to work men who are directly engaged to work on site and injury to persons who are not in any form connected to the contractors work on site, this belong to the first category, but if such object were to fall across the road and landed on the body of a passer by, causing him hence, injury here belongs to the latter part negligence.

INJURY TO PROPERTY

This could arise when construction activities on site, cause some nuisance to escape and falls, this cause damage to a neighbour property.

For instance, where subsidence of a building going on in an adjacent site or a piece of block falls of some height and across the public road, to damage completely across the public road, to damage completely the body of a moving or parked vehicle.

DAMAGE TO THE WORKS

This may be due to situation or entire works that may hinder construction such as fire, tempest, earth tremors, faulty material or workmanship, solely due to the construction companies negligence and unforeseen force of nature e.t.c

LOSS OF MATERIALS AND PLANT ITEMS

This could be as result of theft or pilfering and also damage to temporary structures, it could be as a result of war note, commotion, disorder, nuclear and pressure wave risk e.t.c