Comparative study of impact of occupational health and safety culture on project performance in Nigeria and South Africa: A case study
Department of Building, University of Lagos, Yaba, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 2022, 02(02), 001–016.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjet.2022.2.2.0023
Publication history:
Received on 09 March 2022; revised on 11 April 2022; accepted on 13 April 2022
Abstract:
This research study is aimed at comparing the Nigerian Construction Industry with that of South Africa, two similar developing Countries in the areas of Technological advancement, Business potential, Human potential and Industrial activities. The study centred on what is obtainable in the two Countries in the aspect of Performance of Occupational H&S Culture on Safety Performance; Project Parameters as they affect Project Performance; best H&S Practices; Institutional Regulation and Government Legislation on Health and Safety Culture; and Pre-contract safety plans and thus highlights areas of differences and similarities. Data were obtained and analyzed for Nigeria case using structured questionnaire through non-probability sampling but for South Africa historical data were audited from Journal articles on the above area of interest and objectives. The results of the findings from this comparative study are that; Nigeria construction workers do not report unsafe and unhealthy working conditions which by implication is that records of construction accident, injuries, fatalities and hazards are not being taken and kept; Contractors and Engineers are the highest contributors to Project H&S in South Africa, whereas Project Managers and Contractors are the highest contributors to Project H&S in Nigeria. The two countries converging opinion is; Contractors as the major contributor to the practice and performance of Occupational H&S culture in the Construction worksite; Quality and Cost are a Project factor that has the greatest impact to negatively affect or improve the H&S performance of construction projects in Nigeria which is similar to what we have in South Africa; Client Satisfaction, Cost and Quality as a Project indicator for best H&S practices in construction projects in Nigeria which agrees with the South African survey. The recommendation suggested by this study to improving H&S Performance of Contractors are therefore; Facilitating Government and Construction Stakeholders involvement in H&S Policies, Regulation and Supervisions; Selecting Contractors based on Construction H&S Practices and Procedures; Requiring bills of quantities to include itemised provisions for H&S; and Specifying requirement for Project-Specific H&S Management Plans and Risk Analysis.
Keywords:
Health and Safety; Nigeria; Organizational Culture; Project Performance; South Africa
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