Identifying the Non-Traditional Safety Risk Paths of Employees from Chinese International Construction Companies in Africa

Jin, C.; Li, B.; Ye, Zhaoying; Xiang, Pengcheng

doi:10.3390/ijerph18041990

Identifying the Non-Traditional Safety Risk Paths of Employees from Chinese International Construction Companies in Africa

Title

Identifying the Non-Traditional Safety Risk Paths of Employees from Chinese International Construction Companies in Africa

Author

Jin, C. (TU Delft Real Estate Management)
Li, B. (TU Delft Housing Systems)
Ye, Zhaoying (IE University Madrid)
Xiang, Pengcheng (Chongqing University)

Date

2021

Abstract

In recent years, more and more construction enterprises are expanding into overseas markets, especially in underdeveloped regions such as Africa. Compared to domestic construction projects, international construction projects have been faced with more uncertainties and increased levels of safety risks to the employees in the context of political turmoil, racism, and religious conflict in the host country. This study aims to answer what risk factors contribute to the threat to the safety of overseas employees and how safety risk factors interact, using employees from Chinese international construction companies (CICCs) in Africa as an example. A total of 39 safety risk factors were selected by literature review and case study based on Heinrich’s Domino Theory of Accident Causation. To identify the critical safety risk sources and significant risk paths, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 208 professionals who have participated in construction projects in Africa. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), a total of twelve critical risk paths and five controllable risk sources were identified. The improper behaviors of the CICCs and their employees were shown to have the largest impact on the safety of Chinese employees, through the mediating effect of the criminal offense. This study provides some insights into safety risk management in international construction projects. Meanwhile, the quantitative approach proposed can also be used by other international companies or governments in identifying the safety risk paths of their overseas workers involved in international construction projects.

Subject

Africa
Chinese international construction companies
Risk paths
Risk prevention
Risk sources
Safety risks

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:f8456d06-4b3c-4501-af6b-017e00fc2c73

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041990

ISSN

1660-4601

Source

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (4)

Part of collection

Institutional Repository