Influence of Informal Subcontracting on Health and Safety Performance on Construction Projects the Case of Nairobi City County

Abstract

Informality in the construction industry sub-sector is part of the growing informal economy of Kenya today. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of informal subcontracting and its effects on health and safety performance on construction projects. The objectives focused on identification of health and safety (H&S) provisions, compliance of the two Acts, Occupational Safety and Health Act, (OSHA 2007), National Construction Authority Act (NCA 2011) and examination of possible relationship between organisation challenges of informal subcontractors and H&S performance on construction projects. The study objectives were dually achieved by use descriptive and qualitative survey research methods. Data was collected using questionnaires and structured interviews. The findings indicated that the building subsector preferred labour only subcontracts because of their informality and flexibility while specialist contractors preferred nominated subcontractors due to the greater need for skilled labour. OSHA Act compliance indicated that 27.4%. of the contractors had site safety policies but implementation of the same was a partly 2%. This was further exemplified by the prevalent nature of accidents at the construction sites particularly minor injury category, an indication of weak enforcement by the regulatory agencies. Clients influence on the H&S organisational challenges of informal subcontractors was most significant. Clients should therefore take a leading role in H&S by employing only contractors with good H&S track record and investing in health and safety provisions in tender documents. The regulatory regimes should ensure effective registration and regulation of construction workplaces; enhanced capacity required to enforce, restrict and control errant contractors so as to mitigate the effects of informal subcontracting on health and safety performance on construction projects.