SScience Journal of Environmental Engineering Research, Volume 2012, July 2012
ISSN: 2276-7495

© Author(s) 2012. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Research Article

 

Assessment of National Culture Dimensions and Construction Health and Safety Climate in Nigeria

Okolie, K. C1, Okoye, P.U.2

1,2Lecturer Department of Building, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria

doi: 10.7237/sjeer/167

Accepted 24 May 2012; Available Online 1 July 2012

Abstract:

Despite the increasing growth in the construction subsector in Nigeria, the institutional and regulatory framework for construction health and safety is highly fragmented and poorly implemented. The purpose of this paper was to explore the influence of national culture on the construction workers safety climate in South East Nigeria. The study employed the survey research method for the investigation. Structured questionnaires were administered to a sample of site operatives and management staff/personnel involved in construction projects in the study area. The responses were analyzed using the Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) to determine the relationship between national culture dimensions and safety climate. A two-tailed t-test was also utilized to ascertain the significance of the relationship in the correlation observed. The study revealed that all five cultural dimensions except long term orientation highly and positively correlated with safety climate which invariably influences the safety perceptions and behaviour of construction workers. The correlation coefficients of the other four dimensions ranged from 0.75 to 0.99 while long term orientation dimension has correlation coefficients of 0.47 and 0.65 for operatives and managers respectively. In view of these revelations, there is urgent need for the provision of adequate and enforceable health and safety regulations for construction operations as well as the establishment of construction industry training institutes including trade centres in different parts of Nigeria. The study also advocates adequate consideration of workers cultural values and beliefs for a successful project implementation and delivery.

 

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