Development of human factor engineering model for safe management of oil and gas construction industry

The management of occupational health and safety within Nigeria’s oil and gas construction industry in Nigeria is challenged by numerous factors, including limited resource allocation, the prioritization of production over safety, communication gaps, inadequate supervision, substandard workplace design, poor risk perception, low management commitment, worker incompetence, and deficient planning, all predominantly human-related. This study focuses on the development of a Human Factors Engineering (HFE) model to enhance the safe management of the oil and gas construction sector. Data were collected through structured questionnaires (n=295), and descriptive analyses were conducted using SPSS Version 26 with AMOS. A conceptual model for HFE was initially formulated, followed by the study and adaptation of the International Association of Oil and gas Producers’ HFE framework to create a model tailored to the Nigerian context. Engineered human factors foster safe behavior, attitudes, processes, and systems, thereby promoting safer construction workplaces. Conversely, failure to engineer these factors often results in unsafe practices, leading to workplace accidents and significant losses. To ensure the successful adoption of the developed model, it is recommended that the Nigerian government actively integrate it into industry practice through robust regulation. At the same time, oil and gas construction companies should incorporate the model into their planning and continual improvement of safe systems of work to enhance overall workplace safety.