Construction work is dynamic, diverse, and

constantly changing. This poses a great

challenge in protecting the health and safety
of construction workers.

Construction workers are at risk of exposure

to various health hazards that can result in
injury, illness, disability, or even death.
Scope:
This module will cover a general overview of the
health hazards to which construction workers may
be exposed.
Learning outcomes:
Explain the types of health hazards and their
characteristics
Discuss the effects of health hazards and how can
they be prevented/minimised
SOME EXAMPLES OF CONSTRUCTION HEALTH HAZARDS
Occupations Potential Health Hazards/Effects
Brickmasons Cement dermatitis, awkward postures, heavy loads
Drywall installers Plaster dust, heavy loads, awkward postures
Heavy metals in solder fumes, awkward posture, heavy
Electricians
loads, asbestos
Painters Solvent vapors, paint additives
Pipefitters Lead fumes and particles, welding fumes, asbestos dust
Carpet layers Knee trauma, awkward postures, glue and glue vapor
Insulation workers Asbestos, synthetic fibers, awkward postures
Roofers Roofing tar, heat
Carpenters Noise, awkward postures, repetitive motion
Drillers, earth, rock Silica dust, whole-body vibration, noise
Excavating and
Silica dust, histoplasmosis, whole-body vibration, heat
loading machine
stress, noise
operators
Hazardous waste
Heat stress, toxic chemicals
Chemicals can exist in the form of:
dusts, fumes, fibers (solids)
liquids, mists
gases, vapors

Chemicals are found in variety of products used at

construction sites. Workers may also be exposed to chemicals
generated during construction activities.

asbestos welding fumes

Examples of
chemical lead spray paints
hazards silica cutting oil mists
found in cadmium solvents
construction carbon hexavalent chromium
work: monoxide
 Chemicals can enter the body through:

inhalation breathed in
Inhalation is typically the most common way
chemicals can enter the body in a work situation.

ingestion accidental swallowing through

eating, drinking, or smoking

absorption absorbed through contact with skin

or eyes

Injection, in which a chemical enters the body when the

skin is punctured, occurs rarely (e.g., paint from a high-
pressure spray gun).
Two types of health effects from chemical exposure

HEALTH EFFECTS EXPOSURE EXAMPLE

Appears immediately or Typically sudden, Headache,
within short time short-term, high collapse or
following exposure, concentration death from
ACUTE
(minutes or hours); death high levels of
possible from some carbon
hazardous substances monoxide
Usually develops slowly, Continued or Lung cancer
CHRONI as long as 15-20 years or repeated for a from exposure
C more prolonged period, to asbestos
usually years

Some chemicals can have both acute and chronic effects,

e.g., carbon monoxide.
 Sources: building materials natural stone, bricks,
concrete
Process involved breaking, crushing, or grinding
silica
Workers at high risk operators of pneumatic
breakers, drillers and bricklayer (during cutting of
bricks).
Effects silicosis ( a disease with lung fibriosis
causing difficulty in breathing)
The risk is highest in confined spaces or poor
ventilation, e.g. tunnels
Control measures water suppression to reduce the
dust level, adequate and suitable respiratory PPE
Pneumatic breaker
 Lead dust - during handling materials containing
lead or compounds, such as removal of leaded paint
and handling of metallic lead.
Lead fumes - during hot cutting and dismantling
tanks previously containing lead compounds.
Effects excessive exposure may cause acute or
chronic health effects
Welders and flame cutting operators may be at high
risk
Control measures- contractors are required to assess
the nature of exposure to lead, to take appropriate
measures to control the exposure, to inform workers
of the risks involved and to provide washing and
changing facilities.
The use of acetylene torches to cut steel and
other metal objects covered with lead-based
paint
 Materials- sprayed asbestos coatings, thermal and
acoustic insulation materials, fire resistant walls and
partitions, asbestos cement sheets and flooring
materials.
Workers affected industrial workers who work at
the asbestos-manufactured-product factory, workers
who directly involved with the use of asbestos
(shipbuilding, oil rig etc)
Control measures Elimination (crocidolite ban),
exposure reduction (work process and practice,
engineering control, PPE)
 Process - welding and flame cutting, using internal
combustion engines and LPG burners, burning of
waste materials, painting (paint spraying), using
adhesive and thinners
Effects depend on the types, toxicity and
concentration of the gas and vapour present in the
working environment.
Control measures adequate ventilation must be
provided and suitable respiratory protective
equipment worn where appropriate
Welding on a stainless steel tank
 Many substances encountered in construction work
would harm the skin:
Mineral oil may cause skin cancers on prolonged
contact.
Disinfectant, bleaches, solvents, oils, acids and
alkalis may cause irritation
Epoxy resins, acrylic resins, formaldehyde, nickel,
cobalt, chrome, natural gums and vegetation
including timber may cause allergic reactions.
Control measures suitable protective clothing and
gloves should be worn, washing of hands after work
Physical hazards are different types of energy which may
be hazardous to workers. They include:

Noise

Vibration

Temperature extremes

Radiation
 High noise level can distract concentration, cause
difficulties in speech communication and increase
the risk of accidents.
Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can cause
noise-induced hearing loss.
Noise levels above 85 decibels can cause hearing
loss.
When you are exposed to excessive noise levels, the
first stage is temporary hearing loss.
Over time, the hearing loss becomes permanent.
Machines compressors, concrete breakers
Control measures- engineering controls, separation,
suitable hearing protectors.
 Probable noise levels of some common
construction equipment at operators ear
Equipment or Tool Noise level will
probably exceed:

Back hoe 85 decibels

Bulldozer 87 decibels
Chopsaw 92 decibels
Grader/scraper 107 decibels
Front end loader 90 decibels
Jackhammer 102 decibels
Nail-gun 97 decibels
Router 90 decibels
Welding equipment 92 decibels

Source: U.W. Dept. of Environmental & Occupational

Health Services Rick Neitzel July, 2005
Several factors influence the noise levels to which workers
are exposed:

Type of equipment being

operated
Condition/maintenance of
the equipment
Other equipment running at
the same time
Enclosed or partially
enclosed spaces

High noise levels can be sporadic in construction. Damage to

hearing is cumulative and exposure limits are based on 8-hour
averages. Workers not using or operating equipment are often
exposed to excessive noise as much as the operators.
scraper

router
The use of bending machine may expose worker to
excessive noise
 X-rays and gamma rays from equipment used to
gauge the density and thickness of pipes, to
inspect welds, or for detecting weakness of metal
structures

Radioactive isotopes from flow meters

Construction workers exposed to such ionizing

may have increased risk of developing cancer and
genetic disease

Control measures isolation, segregation of

workers, installing warning notices and signs,
monitoring and decontamination
 Ultraviolet light from sunlight & welding

Infrared radiation from torch welding and

cutting

Radio waves from radio transmission

devices ( roof-top dishes & antennas)

Lasers used for aligning, ranging, and Welding ultraviolet light

surveying are usually low-powered but can
cause eye injuries if directly viewed for
extended time

Health effects skin cancer, eye damage,

premature skin aging, burns
 Whole-body vibration can occur from operating large mobile
equipment, such as drillers, air hammers, pile drivers, tractors,
graders, excavators, earth-moving equipment, and other large
machinery.
Hand-arm vibration can result from using hand-held power
tools, such as pneumatic drills and hammers, and disc grinders.
Effects fingers and hands (carpal tunnel syndrome), long
term- loss of the sense of touch and dexterity.
Control measures use low possible vibration tools, tools
should be properly maintained so that they are balanced and
have no loose parts, wearing anti-vibration gloves.
The use of concrete vibrator - hand-arm vibration
The use of backhoe - whole-body vibration
 A change in body temperature due to extreme work
environmental conditions can lead to stress or illness from heat
or cold. If not treated in time, both heat and cold stress/illness
can develop into life-threatening situations.
Prolonged work under direct sunlight (e.g., asphalt paving or
roofing in summer) without precautions may cause heat rashes,
heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke
Control measures avoid heavy manual work in hot
environment, accomplish the work by mechanical means or in
cooler parts of a day, providing shelter, blowing fans, adequate
cool drinks to replace the water loss as sweat, sufficient rest
breaks, use sun block, use wide-brim hat.
Working under direct sunlight (exposure to UV)
 Manual handling injuries are often the result of carrying out the
operations for a long period, but even one bad lift can cause a
lifetime of pain and disability.
Control measure: provide mechanical aids, team lifting
Ergonomic hazards can cause painful and disabling injuries to
joints and muscles. The can occur from:
heavy, frequent, or awkward lifting
repetitive tasks
awkward grips, postures
using excessive force, overexertion
using wrong tools for the job
or using tools improperly
using improperly maintained tools
hand-intensive work

Ergonomic hazards are the most frequently occurring health

hazards in construction and the cause of most injuries.
Can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and
strains and sprains
injuries:
one of the most common
injuries among construction
workers

tendonitis

carpal tunnel syndrome

low back pain

fatigue
 Diseases or illnesses can occur from biological sources:

Microorganisms (e.g., West Nile virus

bacteria, viruses, Lyme Disease
fungi, molds) Histoplasmosis (fungus in bird
droppings)
Hantavirus

Plant toxins poison oak & sumac;

stinging nettles

Poison oak

Some of these diseases are minor infections; others can be serious or

deadly.
Exposure may occur during demolition, renovation, sewer work,
work on air handling systems, or other construction work from
contact with contaminated or disease-carrying:
soil
water
insects (mosquitoes, ticks)
bird or bat droppings
animals
structures

Pigeon droppings in abandoned

building
In some cases, workers can be exposed to several health hazards at the
same time or on the same worksite over time.

This worker is simultaneously exposed to noise, silica

dust, vibration and ergonomic hazards.