Impact of Contract Employment on Safety Vulnerability and Incident Risk in Nigeria's Oil and Gas Industry

Abstract

The global oil and gas industry increasingly relies on contract labour, yet the occupational safety implications of precarious employment arrangements remain inadequately understood, particularly in developing economy contexts. This study examined the relationship between contract employment and occupational safety outcomes among oil and gas workers in Nigeria's South-South region. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was adopted. Quantitative data were collected from 416 workers (218 contract, 198 direct employees) using the validated Behavioural Factors and Occupational Health and Safety Management Scale (BFOHS-MS). Qualitative interviews were conducted with 32 participants (contract workers, direct employees, safety officers, operations supervisors). Data were analysed using independent t-tests, binary logistic regression, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), and thematic analysis. Contract workers demonstrated significantly lower safety participation (M=2.88 vs 4.01, p<0.001), weaker reporting confidence (M=2.54 vs 3.93, p<0.001), lower organisational trust (M=2.76 vs 4.10, p<0.001), and reduced safety training access (M=2.91 vs 4.08, p<0.001). Logistic regression identified employment insecurity (OR=2.61, p<0.001), production pressure (OR=2.22, p<0.001), and low reporting confidence (OR=1.94, p=0.002) as significant incident predictors. SEM confirmed that reporting confidence partially mediated the employment type–safety participation relationship (β=0.47, p<0.001). Qualitative themes revealed fear of dismissal, management neglect, procedural pressure, and organisational inequality as key mechanisms perpetuating safety vulnerability. Labour precarity significantly undermines occupational safety culture, producing heightened incident vulnerability among contract workers. Structural interventions-contractor safety equity policies, reporting protection systems, and inclusive behavioural safety strategies-are urgently required.