The Effects of Risk Assessment (Hirarc) on Organisational Performance in Selected Construction Companies in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper focuses on the effects of risk assessment (Hirarc) on organisational performance in selected construction companies in Nigeria. Risk assessment (Hirarc) is a structured approach for identifying, evaluating and controlling hazards in the workplace with a view to achieving better organisational performance of no harm/damage to people, assets, environment and reputation. The objective of this research is to ascertain the extent of compliance and influence on organisational performance (reduced accident/ incident rate, improved safety practices, enhanced productivity and increased profitability) of risk assessment (Hirarc) in the six selected construction companies in Nigeria. Thus, the research question addressed the extent of compliance and influence of risk assessment (Hirarc) on organisational performance in the six selected construction companies. This research is based on the “Domino Theory” of accident prevention as propounded by Heinrich, Petersen and Nester (1980). It assumes that compliance with risk assessment (Hirarc) will eliminate the third piece of domino (unsafe acts or physical hazard factor) from the series and prevent accidents/ incidents from happening thus resulting in better organisational performance (reduced accident/ incident rate, improved safety practices, enhanced productivity and increased profitability). The research concludes that compliance with risk assessment (Hirarc) at the organisational level in construction companies in Nigeria will improve organisational performance(reduced accident/ incident rate, improved safety practices, enhanced productivity and increased profitability). It therefore, recommends among others: visible top management/employees commitment to risk assessment (Hirarc), competitive safety intelligence, high-level safety knowledge flow management and co-operative safety resourcing as a means of sustaining safety best practices in the Nigerian construction industry.