Design for occupational safety and health of workers in construction in developing countries: A study of architects in Nigeria

Manu, Patrick; Poghosyan, Anush; Mshelia, Mark Ibrahim; Iwo, Samuel Tekena; Mahamadu, A-M; Dzieko?ski, Krzysztof

Abstract

Purpose. Design for safety (DfS) of workers is amongst the prominent ways of tackling poor occupational safety and health performance in construction. However, in developing countries there is extremely limited research on DfS. This study thus makes an important contribution to the subject of DfS in developing countries by specifically examining the awareness and practice of DfS amongst architects within the construction sector of Nigeria. Materials and methods. A survey of architects, yielding 161 valid responses, was conducted. Results. While there is high awareness of the concept of DfS, the actual practice is low. Additionally, although there is high interest in DfS training, the engagement in DfS training is low. Significantly, awareness of DfS, training and education related to DfS, and membership of a design professional body have very limited bearing on the practice of DfS by architects. Conclusions. The findings are thus symptomatic of the prevalence of influential DfS implementation barriers within the construction sector. Industry stakeholders should seek to raise the profile of DfS practice within the sector. Furthermore, similar empirical studies in the construction sector of other developing countries would be useful in shedding light on the status of DfS in these countries.

Citation

Manu, P., Poghosyan, A., Mshelia, M. I., Iwo, S. T., Mahamadu, A., & Dziekoński, K. (2019). Design for occupational safety and health of workers in construction in developing countries: A study of architects in Nigeria. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 25(1), 99-109. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2018.1485992

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 5, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Jul 20, 2018
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jun 18, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 14, 2019
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics
• Print ISSN: 1080-3548
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 99-109
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2018.1485992
• Keywords: construction, design for safety, prevention through design, developing country, survey
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/866613
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2018.1485992
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics on 14th June 2018, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2018.1485992.