construction industry
Globally, the construction industry accounts for approximately 6% of the global gross domestic product (GDP). More specifically, it accounts for about 5% of the total GDP in the developed countries while accounting for more than 8% of the GDP in developing countries. Estimates indicates that the industry accounts for total annual revenue of almost 10 trillion US dollars and is further expected that the industry will grow greatly to estimated revenues of 15 trillion dollars by 2023. Within the sector, it is further estimated that residential housing accounts for 38% of global construction volume; transport, energy and water infrastructure for 32%; institutional and commercial buildings for 18%; and industrial sites (from cement to automotive manufacturing) for 13%. It is also estimated that more than 100 million people are already employed today in construction worldwide (World Economic Forum, 2016).
Construction is responsible for far more than its share of occupational accidents and work-related ill health (Murie, 2016). It is a hazardous occupation as it accounts for all key risks chemicals, dusts, manual handling, physical hazards, and psychosocial hazards exposures are routine and excessive. The hazards at the constructions site are compounded by the poor welfare facilities (Murie, 2016).
Construction industry is one of the major employers in Kenya, the country being a developing economy; the demand of infrastructure especially housing and commercial building is increasing enormously. The industry has been seen to provide employment to the less schooled attracting most rural-urban migrants. It is easy to secure employment in the sector, second after farming in Kenya. Scene of devastation following collapse of building or structures, workers buried and rescue operations are only too familiar on our television screens. A visit to a construction site is characterized by employees with no protective equipment. The sector in the eyes of the workforce or potential workforce is viewed as in a `