Good environmental practices and occupational safety in social housing construction projects

Abstract

Social Housing Construction Projects (PCVIS) contribute to reducing the constantly growing housing deficit in Nicaragua. They are an affordable option for Nicaraguan families living in extreme poverty with incomes between one and seven minimum wages, as established by the National Minimum Wage Commission. However, the construction sector, by its very nature, presents potentially high occupational and environmental risks. Therefore, a combination of good environmental and occupational safety practices must be implemented to counteract or reduce workplace accidents. These risks can be minimized through the implementation of strict and rigorous Environmental Management Programs, grounded in the country's legal and environmental framework. These programs should include plans to mitigate environmental and social impacts, as well as occupational safety, hygiene, and health management plans, along with policies, regulations, and safe work procedure manuals. In this regard, external oversight of the PCVIS (Plans for the Prevention of Violence in Health) with the support of relevant institutions can play a crucial role in ensuring safe, resilient, and healthy work environments. This can be achieved through the use and application of legal instruments related to environmental and occupational safety matters, as well as the framework of guidelines, environmental and social safeguards, and performance standards required by the international organizations that fund the PCVIS. Finally, the use of simple, cost-effective, and easily implemented environmentally friendly practices, along with the application of the precautionary principle to occupational safety issues, should be emphasized.