Umeokafor, Nnedinma I. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4010-5806 (2018) Community interventions in construction health and safety and the implications: Evidence from Nigeria. Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 23 (3). pp. 312-329. ISSN 1366-4387 (doi:10.1108/JFMPC-10-2017-0041)

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Abstract

Purpose:
The reported study examined the involvement of communities— geographical or geopolitical units, which identifies culture, interest, and ethnicity—in construction health and safety (H&S) and the implications. This stems from the unexamined, hence poorly understood roles of many stakeholders in the construction H&S management and regulatory regime in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach:
Interviews with contractors and key informants, and a survey of contractors were conducted. Descriptive and inferential statistics, and thematic analysis were employed.

Findings:
There is evidence of community interventions: negotiating with contractors on H&S issues; strongly stipulating that H&S measures are adopted and implemented; enforcing H&S through both violent and non-violent means. These have no legal backing. There is a relationship between the locations of the projects, Urban Area and Rural Area, and six community intervention variables. The study also reveals that among the implications of community interventions in H&S are contractors contextualising H&S in these communities and tension between parties in construction projects. Again, there is a relationship between the location of the projects, and six of the implications including tension between communities and contractors and between contractors and clients.

Practical implications:
In adequately addressing construction safety, health and environment issues in Nigeria, geographic location and socio-cultural consideration are pertinent, a point for policymakers, communities and contractors.

Originality/value:
The study draws attention to the geographic location and socio-cultural explanations for the differences in H&S management, performance and attitudes of contractors in Nigeria. This is the first study that examines the involvement of communities in H&S and the implications.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Community, collectivism, culture, environment, health and safety, Nigeria
Subjects:	T Technology > TH Building construction
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences > School of Design (DES)
Last Modified:	12 Dec 2020 22:51
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/20241

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