Cultural Factors Impacting Health and Safety (H&S) Practices in a Developing Construction Economy

Kashan Fayyaz, Muhammad Shahzaib, Arslan Aziz, Muhammad Irfan, Wesam Salah Alaloul () and Muhammad Ali Musarat
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Kashan Fayyaz: School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B4 7XG, UK
Muhammad Shahzaib: School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B4 7XG, UK
Arslan Aziz: School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B4 7XG, UK
Muhammad Irfan: Civil Engineering Department, HITEC University, Taxila 47080, Pakistan
Wesam Salah Alaloul: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Perak, Malaysia
Muhammad Ali Musarat: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Perak, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-32

Abstract: The study investigated the influence of cultural factors on Health and Safety (H&S) practices in the construction industry of a developing economy using a quantitative approach. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey from industry professionals. The findings reveal varying perceptions of safety culture, communication, and practices, with mean scores ranging from 2.692 to 3.607. Safety training frequency showed high variability (mean = 2.692, CV = 43.13%, Skewness = 0.42, Z-score = −0.69, range = 1.531 to 3.853), while subcontractors’ safety compliance exhibited the least variability (mean = 3.589, CV = 26.50%, Skewness = −0.38, Z-score = 0.58, range = 2.638 to 4.540). Practices (mean = 3.327, CV = 25.69%, Skewness = −0.38), behaviors (mean = 3.234, CV = 27.40%, Skewness = −0.25), and norms (mean = 3.028, CV = 31.91%, Skewness = 0.10) also showed significant variations. Additionally, the key challenges with highest values include budget constraints (mean = 3.607, CV = 31.80%) and company rules (mean = 3.523, CV = 30.28%). Furthermore, Kruskal–Wallis’s test indicates statistically significant differences across variables, with medium to large effect sizes (η 2 ). By addressing important cultural factors and challenges, the findings provide actionable insights to enhance worker safety, reduce accidents, and promote a safer working environment, thereby contributing to sustainable development and resilience in Pakistan’s construction sector.

Keywords: cultural factors; health and safety (H&S); occupational safety; sustainable development; safety management; workplace resilience; sustainable construction practices (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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