Construction health risks
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | Despite big improvements, construction | + | Despite big improvements, construction still poses significant health risks to those who work in it. As an industry it accounts for a high percentage of fatal and major injuries, from things such as falling from height and equipment-related accidents. It also poses many general risks to health. |
| − | The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) | + | The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that around 4% of construction workers suffer from a work-related illness every year, and 3% sustain a work-related injury. This results in around 2.2 million working days being lost each year. However, the industry has tended to focus attention on the immediate risks of harm rather than the factors that can have a cumulative impact over time. |
| − | Statistics show that those who work in construction have a high risk of developing cancer | + | Statistics show that those who work in construction have a high risk of developing cancer, accounting for more than 40% of occupational cancer deaths and cancer registrations. On an annual basis, past exposures from construction work are estimated to cause 3,700 deaths from occupational cancer. The most significant causes of these cancers are as follows: |
* Asbestos (70%). | * Asbestos (70%). | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
There are a wide range of other potential risks: | There are a wide range of other potential risks: | ||
| − | * Hazardous substances are common in construction work | + | * Hazardous substances are common in construction work and can cause issues such as breathing problems, lung diseases and dermatitis. For more information, see hazardous substances; |
| − | * Physical health risks are prevalent in construction, particularly back injuries and upper limb problems, often as a result of repetitive motion | + | * Physical health risks are prevalent in construction, particularly back injuries and upper limb problems, often as a result of repetitive motion; |
| − | * Excessive noise from power tools can lead to hearing loss or problems such as tinnitus | + | * Excessive noise from power tools can lead to hearing loss or problems such as tinnitus; |
| − | * Vibration from power tools can cause nerve and tendon damage to hands, arms and wrists (i.e. | + | * Vibration from power tools can cause nerve and tendon damage to hands, arms and wrists (i.e. hand-arm vibration syndrome). |
| − | * Heat stress can cause brain, heart | + | * Heat stress can cause brain, heart or kidney damage - even death. |
| − | * Mental health problems | + | * Mental health problems among construction workers are the third most common reason for workplace absences from contractor organisations. There have been several initiatives, such as the Building Site to Boardroom (BS2B) scheme that try to address these ‘unspoken’ issues. The Samaritans have reported that construction workers are six times more likely to die of suicide than a fall. |
The reasons why construction workers face a high risk of occupational ill health are varied, including: | The reasons why construction workers face a high risk of occupational ill health are varied, including: | ||
| − | * The site environment can be less controlled than an industrial environment like a factory | + | * The site environment can be less controlled than an industrial environment like a factory; |
| − | * It is more dynamic, in that sites are constantly changing with a large number of different activities and trades operating simultaneously | + | * It is more dynamic, in that sites are constantly changing with a large number of different activities and trades operating simultaneously, and |
| − | * Work teams, such as subcontractors, | + | * Work teams, such as subcontractors, may have their own safety culture which may vary from others or the site in general. |
The legislation affecting health and safety in design and construction falls under the Health and Safety at Work etc. | The legislation affecting health and safety in design and construction falls under the Health and Safety at Work etc. | ||
| − | For more information, see | + | For more information, see 'health and safety for building design and construction'. |
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM regulations) in particular are intended to ensure that health and safety issues are properly considered during a project’s development. | The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM regulations) in particular are intended to ensure that health and safety issues are properly considered during a project’s development. | ||
| − | They include general requirements that apply to all projects and additional duties that only apply to notifiable construction projects (where the construction work is likely to last longer than 30 working days and | + | They include general requirements that apply to all projects and additional duties that only apply to notifiable construction projects (where the construction work is likely to last longer than 30 working days and hasmore than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point in the project, or exceeds 500 person days). For more information see: CDM. |
There is a legal requirement through the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) for a responsible person (employers, the self-employed and individuals in control of work premises) to notify and keep records of specified workplace incidents. For more information see: RIDDOR. | There is a legal requirement through the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) for a responsible person (employers, the self-employed and individuals in control of work premises) to notify and keep records of specified workplace incidents. For more information see: RIDDOR. | ||
Revision as of 09:43, 30 May 2019
Despite big improvements, construction still poses significant health risks to those who work in it. As an industry it accounts for a high percentage of fatal and major injuries, from things such as falling from height and equipment-related accidents. It also poses many general risks to health.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that around 4% of construction workers suffer from a work-related illness every year, and 3% sustain a work-related injury. This results in around 2.2 million working days being lost each year. However, the industry has tended to focus attention on the immediate risks of harm rather than the factors that can have a cumulative impact over time.
Statistics show that those who work in construction have a high risk of developing cancer, accounting for more than 40% of occupational cancer deaths and cancer registrations. On an annual basis, past exposures from construction work are estimated to cause 3,700 deaths from occupational cancer. The most significant causes of these cancers are as follows:
- Asbestos (70%).
- Silica (17%).
- Paint (6-7%).
- Diesel engine exhaust (6-7%).
There are a wide range of other potential risks:
- Hazardous substances are common in construction work and can cause issues such as breathing problems, lung diseases and dermatitis. For more information, see hazardous substances;
- Physical health risks are prevalent in construction, particularly back injuries and upper limb problems, often as a result of repetitive motion;
- Excessive noise from power tools can lead to hearing loss or problems such as tinnitus;
- Vibration from power tools can cause nerve and tendon damage to hands, arms and wrists (i.e. hand-arm vibration syndrome).
- Heat stress can cause brain, heart or kidney damage - even death.
- Mental health problems among construction workers are the third most common reason for workplace absences from contractor organisations. There have been several initiatives, such as the Building Site to Boardroom (BS2B) scheme that try to address these ‘unspoken’ issues. The Samaritans have reported that construction workers are six times more likely to die of suicide than a fall.
The reasons why construction workers face a high risk of occupational ill health are varied, including:
- The site environment can be less controlled than an industrial environment like a factory;
- It is more dynamic, in that sites are constantly changing with a large number of different activities and trades operating simultaneously, and
- Work teams, such as subcontractors, may have their own safety culture which may vary from others or the site in general.
The legislation affecting health and safety in design and construction falls under the Health and Safety at Work etc.
For more information, see 'health and safety for building design and construction'.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM regulations) in particular are intended to ensure that health and safety issues are properly considered during a project’s development.
They include general requirements that apply to all projects and additional duties that only apply to notifiable construction projects (where the construction work is likely to last longer than 30 working days and hasmore than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point in the project, or exceeds 500 person days). For more information see: CDM.
There is a legal requirement through the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) for a responsible person (employers, the self-employed and individuals in control of work premises) to notify and keep records of specified workplace incidents. For more information see: RIDDOR.
Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Competent person.
- Construction dust.
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome.
- Hazardous substances.
- Health and safety for building design and construction.
- Injuries on construction sites.
- Manual handling.
- Near miss.
- Personal protective equipment.
- Risk assessment.
- Safety management.
- Workplace exposure limits.
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