Risk, culture, and organization : a study of injury among construction workers

Maguire, KJP

Abstract

National statistics reveal that construction workers are at greater risk of fatal
injury than most other workers in Great Britain. Using cultural and
organisational theories and carrying out qualitative studies, the thesis
attempts to understand why this is so.
The main source of understanding for culture and risk comes from the
writings of Mary Douglas and her cultural theory, in particular how different
social forms each have a typical risk attitude. The focus for understanding
organization has been contingency theory, interpreted in the wider context of
Weber's concept of the rationalisation process. Out of the theoretical
chapters emerged a shape for the studies, the rationale for which is given in
the methodology.
As well as the early analysis of secondary data (mainly official statistics), the
study consisted of four phased qualitative cases: a set of orienting interviews
and construction site visits, an examination of the records of two very
different coroners' courts, a series of visits and interviews to an above
ground construction site, and a series of visits and interviews to a belowground
construction site. There is a discussion of these findings using
Layder's resource map before the thesis embarks on a more theoretically
driven discussion.
The principle finding is that both organizational and cultural approaches give
partial explanations but neither alone gives a complete account of injury
among construction workers. Rather they complement each other in giving a
fuller understanding of how construction workers come to be harmed. From
this a simple model which combines both approaches is developed which is
evaluated in the concluding chapter.
The results draw attention to the problem that indirect employment (subcontracting)
poses for regulation of health and safety in the construction
industry and suggest that it may contribute to the high accidental injury rates.

Citation

Maguire, K. Risk, culture, and organization : a study of injury among construction workers. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2008