Moving the construction safety climate forward in developing countries

The construction industry in developing economies is responsible for creating deliverables such as infrastructure and housing while providing a means of livelihood to an ever-increasing number of management and frontline workers. However, in many parts of the world, injuries and fatalities have continued to damage the industry’s image.

This book intends to meet the needs of many construction managers who, though technically informed, struggle with managing frontline workers, especially regarding motivating positive safety outcomes. It discusses the challenges experienced in the industry and how site management may navigate them to improve safety performance in the workplace. By documenting the experiences of site management in developing countries, this book intends to contribute to the education of professionals on evolving better safety environments on construction sites. It considers the safety climate in a high-risk work environment, administrative procedures and the implementation mechanisms. The book also documents findings from existing literature about developing countries in contrast to what is obtainable in developed countries. Each chapter features context-specific explanations from empirical research conducted in developing countries. Key safety climate issues are contextualised, considering the challenges faced in developing countries, alongside current trends that will help chart future directions that will promote continuous improvement of safety outcomes of construction projects.

This book is essential reading for construction managers, researchers and academics in the field of safety management, infrastructure delivery and project management.

Tchad Sharon Jatau lectures in the Department of Quantity Surveying at Kaduna State University, Nigeria.

Fidelis Emuze is Professor and Department Head in the Department of Built Environment at the Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa.

John Smallwood is Professor of Construction Management at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa.