An investigation into the extent to which the contractors Fulfill the construction laws at the construction sites. case study: Nairobi

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate the extent to which contractors fulfill construction laws at the construction sites. This included establishing whether and to what extent do the contractors abide to the rules and regulations in the construction sites. It also sought to establish the requirements and the degree of enforcement of these laws and regulations by the relevant authorities and also to recommend on the measures that would ensure the contractors fully fulfills the laws governing the construction industry which has not been done hence the many accidents, deaths, pollution and other health and safety concerns at the construction sites. The study relied on responses from questionnaires and interviews with the city council's city planning and architecture department as well as the NEMA's compliance and enforcement department, it also relied the data from the check list filled during the field study. The findings indicate that contractors fail to comply with the laws and regulations governing the construction industry. The workers working in the construction industry are forced to work under very unfavorable conditions which put them at grave risk of death injury or disease. Further more the findings indicate that the developers fail to register their projects with the relevant enforcing authorities like NEMA. The findings also indicate that the enforcing authorities fail to perform regular and thorough inspections at the construction sites to ensure compliance to these laws. The study concludes that a great deal should be done to ensure that contractors fully and comply with these laws and also ensure that there is adequate enforcement from the relevant enforcing authorities to ensure that the construction sites are a safe environment to work in for the workers. The study recommends that, for the future constructions the contractors should provide for the specific requirements as it is in law to ensure that the construction sites are a safe place for all workers to work in. the study further recommends that there should be a better framework to ensure co-ordination of the enforcing authorities.