Construction Health Risks: The Basics
In January, Manchester Safety Services reported on the shocking statistics of workplace accidents and illnesses in the UK. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the health risks associated with working in the construction industry.
High risk industry
The construction industry is, unsurprisingly, a high-risk industry when it comes to workplace accidents. According to a study by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there were over 65,000 self-reported non-fatal workplace injuries and 35 worker fatalities in 2014/15 alone.
However, it is important for construction professionals to be aware that the construction industry is also a high-risk sector for work-related illnesses. The HSE study shows that, although workplace accidents accounted to 0.5 million lost working days, work-related ill health lead to a staggering 1.2 million lost days.
What’s causing work related ill health?
According to the HSE, there are a number of reasons why construction workers have a high risk of developing work-related illnesses. Underlying causes include:
• The construction site environment
Construction work is rarely limited to one secure environment. Accurately measuring and accounting for the risks of occupational disease in an ever-changing workplace setting can be difficult.
• Multiple Trades at work
Due to the hectic nature of many construction sites, with many workers from different trades often operate in close proximity of each other, meaning that certain tasks are carried out without the proper precautions necessary to adequately protect others.
• Low awareness of associated risks
Unfortunately, in construction, as in many industries, there is a low level of awareness of health risks and the controls necessary to minimise them.
• Nature of employment
For those in the industry who are self-employed or frequently change employers due to the nature of work, many workers often have little or no contact with occupational health professionals.
The risks of ignoring workplace ill health
Ill health in the workplace can be prevented. For employers, failing to address workplace health risks can result in:
• Unnecessary suffering of friends and colleagues
• High turnover of staff and an increase in the number of sick days
• Prosecution
Find out more about reducing workplace health risks
Whether you’re an employee or an employer, educating yourself about workplace ill health is a must. The HSE have made a number of resources available on their website, including the guides Managing Construction Health Risks and Health and Safety in Construction.
