Critical barriers to prevention through design in construction in Developing Countries: a qualitative inquiry

Abstract

PurposeGiven the complexities in improving safety in the construction industry globally, which is exacerbated by the complex safety environment in developing countries (DCs), prevention through design (PtD) has been established to improve occupational safety and health (OSH) where applied. However, it has received very little attention in DCs and the extant literature with limitations. Using Nigeria as a case study, the current study advances the understanding of PtD in DCs by investigating the critical barriers to PtD and other potential OSH responsibilities of designers in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachTwenty-eight semi-structured interviews and e-interviews of architects, builders and civil engineers in Nigeria were analysed using the six-phase thematic analysis. To improve the trustworthiness of the research, triangulation, peer-debriefing, refining the interview protocol and thick detailed description were done.FindingsThe study's findings question the extant general knowledge and understanding of PtD among clients and designers and its technical aspect among designers where it is skewed to structural safety and omitted in universities' curricula. This explains the inconclusive findings of existing studies on why there is a high level of awareness of PtD but a low level of implementation. There is little client support for PtD, and designers have limited influence on clients in terms of it. The fear of liability from PtD is exacerbated by the limited legal system and lack of adequate legislation in the country. The demotivating attitudes of clients and contractors towards designers in terms of PtD are also reported, just as there are project delivery barriers such as traditional procurement not supporting PtD as design and build procurement does.Social implicationsFor the sustainable growth in the practice of PtD, the increased and improved quality of education and awareness of PtD is needed but this must focus on instilling a robust understanding of it among designers based on the local context. This educational requirement can be supported by statute.Originality/valueThrough qualitative data, the findings explain and offer insight into the inconclusive findings in the extant studies on PtD in Nigeria. Also, it contributes to improving health and safety by advancing the understanding of the critical barriers to PtD and other potential OSH responsibilities of designers in D Nigeria's construction using qualitative data.

Implementation of Design for Safety (DfS) in Construction in Developing Countries: A Study of Designers in Malaysia

“…As presented in Table 6 and Table 7, the designers show a high level of engagement in DfS practices. The high implementation of DfS practices in the Malaysia construction industry contradicts with previous DfS implementation research in other developing countries (i.e., Ghana; Nigeria; and Palestine) where a low level of engagement in DfS practices by designers (probably due to the lack of early education in the curricula) was observed (Umeokafor, et al, 2022). A key difference between the previous contexts and Malaysia is that Malaysia has recently introduced DfS regulatory guidelines (i.e., the OSHCI(M)), and there is none known of in the other developing countries.…”

Design for safety among design professionals in the Botswana construction industry

“…Such phased legislation could commence with an initial voluntary application of some DfS requirements (with the view to stimulating interest) followed by gradual introduction of mandatory requirements. Introduction of any DfS related legislation in the construction industry of any SSA country should be coupled with adequate enforcement in view of the lax enforcement of OSH legislation in developing country context (Umeokafor et al, 2022). Furthermore, design professional bodies and other industry bodies in such countries should seek to create DfS standards and guides or incorporate such materials into existing standards and guides.…”

Design for safety in the construction industry: a study of architecture and engineering firms in Saudi Arabia

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