Health and Safety Compliance Assessment in a Construction Materials Plant in Plateau State

This study assesses the level of occupational health and safety compliance in a construction materials manufacturing plant in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. The construction materials sector, encompassing cement block, roofing sheet, and sand processing operations, exposes workers to significant hazards including dust inhalation, noise-induced hearing loss, and mechanical injury risks. This research employs a compliance audit methodology, benchmarking current practices against the requirements of Nigeria's Factories Act and relevant International Labour Organisation guidelines for manufacturing safety. Data were collected through structured safety inspection checklists, a worker health and safety perception questionnaire administered to forty-five employees, and review of the plant's accident and near-miss records over a twenty-four-month period. Findings reveal that personal protective equipment provision is inconsistent, emergency evacuation procedures are not adequately communicated to workers, and noise levels at several workstations exceed recommended exposure limits. The study calculates an overall safety compliance score of fifty-eight percent against the audit checklist, indicating substantial improvement potential. Recommendations include mandatory PPE enforcement supported by disciplinary procedures, quarterly emergency drill exercises, and acoustic insulation investments at high-noise workstations. This research provides a replicable compliance audit tool for manufacturing enterprises across the North Central zone. Keywords: occupational health and safety, compliance audit, construction materials, Plateau State, PPE