Why copied or transposed safety, health and well-being legislation and standards are impracticable and irrelevant in developing economies

Abstract This study examines why some adopted, copied or transposed health, safety and well-being (HSW) legislation, standards and measures (LSMs) from developed countries are impracticable and irrelevant in developing and emerging countries (DECs). This stems from the little or no attention that this area has received. The critical review and analysis of relevant literature and selected HSW legislation and regulatory approaches shows that there are no enabling environments for some of the adopted or copied LSMs which are not compatible with the contexts of DECs such as Nigeria. Most of them are developed based on pre-existing and functional environments, which are lacking in the DECs of which one is the adequate level of HSW awareness. The study also shows that the pre-requisite parties for the effective implementation of the LSMs are lacking in a lot of instances. This is exacerbated by one of the main barriers – the regulatory approach and rules, for example the goal-based regulation which is the foundation of the adopted LSMs. While the individual efforts in relation to the copying and adoption of the LSMs are applauded, the implications of the cultural and technology differences are evident. Typically, in developed contexts, construction operations are mainly mechanized but are labour-intensive in DECs. While context-based LSMs are recommended, they should be informed by adequate research. Although a stepping-stone in exploring the topic, the study offers insight into the implications of non-context based LSMs in DECs but empirical studies are recommended.