Jamir Singh, P S; Oke, A E; Aliu, J; Isaiah Kayode, T; Azura Ramli, R; Haizzan Yahaya, M and Idris, A (2026) A study on substance abuse awareness and usage trends within the construction sector. Construction Innovation, 26(3), pp. 674-692. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose – To address safety risks, worker well-being concerns and productivity losses in construction due to substance misuse, this study aims to explore awareness and usage levels of various substances among Nigerian construction professionals. The findings aim to inform targeted interventions and policy development to tackle these industry-specific challenges. Design/methodology/approach – A comprehensive literature review identified several substances and intoxicants commonly used in construction, which informed the development of a well-structured questionnaire. This questionnaire was distributed to both construction professionals and nonprofessionals. The Shapiro-Wilk test assessed the normality of awareness and utilization scores for each substance, while the Kruskal-Wallis H-test explored significant differences in awareness and usage scores among different respondent groups. Findings – Despite reporting low awareness of substances commonly used in construction, a significant proportion (over 60%) of respondents admitted to using several of these substances in their construction activities. This highlights a concerning disconnect, with more than half (62.5%) exceeding a predefined threshold (3.5) for significant substance use. Ten out of the 16 substances surveyed fell into this category, indicating a widespread issue within the industry. Practical implications – The findings of this study highlight the need for increased education and awareness programs about the dangers of substance misuse in the construction industry. Construction companies should implement regular training sessions and workshops to educate workers on the risks associated with substance use. Additionally, there should be stricter enforcement of substance use policies and routine substance testing to deter misuse. These measures can enhance safety, improve worker well-being and boost overall productivity in the construction industry. Originality/value – The insights from this study can inform the development of international policies and best practices for substance use prevention and worker well-being in the construction industry. Sharing these findings with international organizations, policymakers and industry stakeholders can help create broader guidelines and frameworks adaptable for implementation in various countries.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | employee wellness; health and safety; mental health; occupational health; substance misuse; workplace well-being |
| Index terms: | best practice, construction professional, prevention, construction industry, testing, implementation, enforcement, mental health, international organization, workshop, productivity, construction activity, methodology, well-being, program, questionnaire, construction sector, health and safety, routine, literature review, construction company, occupational health |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, occupational health and safety management, health conditions and diseases, sociology, professional development, management, software systems, data analysis and analytics, data collection methods, business, mental health and wellbeing, health safety and environment, financial risk, research methods, professional practice, construction operations, contractual arrangements, construction type, strategic management, organization |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, Procurement, International Construction, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Site Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Construction Technology |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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