Construction Health and Safety in Developing Countries


Book Description

The global construction sector is infamous for high levels of injuries, accidents and fatalities, and poor health and well-being of its workforce. While this record appears in both developed and developing countries, the situation is worse in developing countries, where major spending on infrastructure development is expected. There is an urgent need to improve construction health and safety (H&S) in developing countries. The improvement calls for the development of context-specific solutions underpinned by research into challenges and related solutions. This edited volume advances the current understanding of construction H&S in developing countries by revealing context-specific issues and challenges that have hitherto not been well explored in the literature, and applying emergent H&S management approaches and practices in developing countries. Coverage includes countries from the regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe. This book, which is the first compendium of research into construction H&S issues in developing countries, adds considerable insight into the field and presents innovative solutions to help address poor H&S in construction in developing nations. It is a must read for all construction professionals, researchers and practitioners interested in construction and occupational H&S, safety management, engineering management and development studies.







Sustainable Living with Environmental Risks


Book Description

We are not free from environmental risks that accompany the development of human societies. Modern economic development has accelerated environmental pollution, caused loss of natural habitats, and modified landscapes. These environmental changes have impacted natural systems: water and heat circulation, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity. These changes in natural systems degrade ecosystem services and subsequently increase environmental risks for humans. Environmental risks, therefore, are not only human health risks by pollution, climatic anomalies and natural disasters, but also degradation of ecosystem services on which most people are relying for their lives. We cannot entirely eliminate the risks, because it is not possible to attain zero impact on the environment, but we need to find a mechanism that minimizes environmental risks for human sustainably. This is the idea of the interdisciplinary framework of “environmental risk management” theory, which advocates harmony between economic development and environmental conservation. Based on this theory, the Sustainable Living with Environmental Risk (SLER) programme, adopted by the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT) as one of its strategic programmes, has been training graduate students at the Yokohama National University, Japan, from 2009 to 2013 to become future environmental leaders who will take the initiative in reducing the level of environmental risks and in protecting natural resources in the developing nations of Asia and Africa. This book provides students and teachers of this new academic field with a comprehensive coverage of case studies of environmental risks and their practical management technologies not only in Japan but also in developing nations in Asia and Africa.




Human Resource Management in Construction Projects


Book Description

Although construction is one of the most labour-intensive industries, people management issues are given inadequate attention. Furthermore, the focus of attention with regards to HR has been on the strategic aspects of HRM function - yet most problems and operational issues arise on projects. To help redress these problems, this book takes a broad view of HRM, examining the strategic and operational aspects of managing people within the construction sector. The book is aimed at project managers and students of project management who, until now, have been handed the responsibility for human resource management without adequate knowledge or training. The issues addressed in this book are internationally relevant, and are of fundamental concern to both students and practitioners involved in the management of construction projects. The text draws on the authors' experience of working with a range of large construction companies in improving their HRM operational activities at both strategic and operational levels, and is well illustrated with case studies of projects and organizations.




The Export of Hazard


Book Description

This report, first published in 1985, written by a distinguished group of legal and public policy experts, documents the growing trade in hazardous industries and toxic products. Hazard export threatens the health and environment of workers and ordinary citizens the world over. It is carried out by transnational corporations, in order to locate their most dangerous industrial activities outside the US, in countries where regulatory controls may be less strict. The issues represented here include occupational safety, environmental protection, international relations and problems of legal control. Attention is focused on the political and economic impact of hazard export on the US, Europe and developing countries, and the book’s critical analysis is addressed directly to the institutional level best suited to constructive action. This title will be of interest to students of business studies.




Safety and Health in Construction


Book Description

"It goes a long way in mapping out the agenda for health and safety professionals in this most dangerous and populous industry." Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Derby, United Kingdom Changes in working practices and conditions in the construction industry over the past decade have meant that the competent authorities, health and safety committees, management or employers' and workers' organizations, in particular, should take a fresh look at such aspects as the safety of workplaces, health hazards, and construction equipment and machinery. This code of practice takes account of new areas in the sector which require improved health and safety practices and other protective measures.










Geotechnical Engineering


Book Description