Kukoyi, P O and Smallwood, J J (2017) A qualitative study of health and safety construction practices in Lagos. Journal of Construction Business and Management, 1(1), pp. 1-7. ISSN 2521-0165
Abstract
Projects in the construction sector are reputed for poor H&S records when compared to other similar industries. This can be attributed among other things to an uncontrolled working environment, risk, workers' behaviour in relation to H&S commitment, cultural and religious beliefs, and uncertainties inherent in projects. Risk and hazards arising due to poor H&S practices result in injuries and fatalities in few cases. The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of workers regarding H&S on construction sites. A combination of interviews and observations was conducted in the study. The participants in the study are mainly production workers (ironworkers, masons, carpenters, roofers, and electricians) engaged in construction projects. The findings of the study reveal that workers view productive activities on construction sites as hazardous and risky. However, lack of understanding the use of PPE affects its use. This perception may also be attributed to inadequate training, socio-economic realities, cultural and religious beliefs. Therefore, there is a need for a localised H&S certification and awareness programmes to foster a commitment to improving H&S at construction sites. Further research is required to understand the influence of stakeholders on H&S practices in the Nigerian construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | health and safety; interview; Nigeria; workers |
| Index terms: | health and safety, certification, injury, interview, programme, commitment, construction site, construction project, construction sector, carpenter, Nigeria, mason, qualitative study, Lagos, roofer, construction industry, fatalities, electrician |
| Subjects: | psychology, work location, data collection methods, research design and methodology, practitioner, project controls, health conditions and diseases, administrative processes, industry analysis, health risk and incident analysis, Geography, health safety and environment, production management |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Organizational Design, Site Management, Contract Administration, Time Control |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here