Chapter 8 Assessing health issues in construction

Occupational health is a major problem for construction. The most effective action is to assess, then eliminate or significantly reduce any health risk early in the project, at design or pre-construction planning stage. Residual risks must then be communicated to the contractor who should further assess, reduce, control and manage the risk to reduce its effect on the construction workers, having informed and trained them in the hazards and appropriate control measures. Health surveillance may be required. The main construction occupational health problems include: asbestos related conditions; musculoskeletal disorders; hand–arm vibration syndrome; problems caused by materials hazardous to health, including dermatitis and asthma; deafness and stress. Many occupational health problems become more acute for older workers.