Health

Industry statistics indicate that a construction worker is at least 100 times more likely to die from disease caused or made worse by their work as they are from a fatal accident. 

This section explores each of the significant health risks identified by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Find out more on each topic below. 


Asbestos

Every week, on average, 20 tradesman die from exposure to asbestos in the UK. Find out more


Construction noise

Regular, frequent exposure to loud noise can be permanently damage hearing.

This is most likely with high noise exposure. Occasional or low-level exposure is unlikely to cause ill-health.

Noise can also create a safety risk if it makes it difficult for workers to communicate effectively or stops the hearing of warning signals. 

With hearing damage, conversation becomes difficult or impossible, and using the telephone becomes more difficult, together with the inability to sleep. 

As a rule of thumb an indication of the noise levels can be made by these two assessments: 

  • Two-metre rule: if you have to raise your voice (or repeat yourself) to someone who is standing two metres away then the noise level is likely to be above 85dB.
  • One-metre rule: if speech is difficult at a distance of just one metre then the noise level could be 90dB or more.

The Control of Noise at work Regulations 2005

  • Noise limits to which employees may be exposed to while at work are 80-85dB(A) over an 8 hour period. 
  • No noise exposure above 87dB(A).
  • Employers must reduce noise levels over 85dB(A) and provide hearing protection. 

Click to download the regulations

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

Find out more practical advice and guidance on the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. 


Construction dust

There are many types of dust that can cause respiratory problems to workers on construction sites.

In all workplaces the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 state that dust levels must not exceed the Work Exposure Limit (WEL) specified for "dust of any kind".

The WEL has been set at 10mg/m3 total inhalable dust or 4mg/m3 respirable dust and this should not be exceeded.

These are limits placed on the amount of dust in the air, averaged over an eight hour working day. Notwithstanding these limits, employers must reduce exposure to dust to as low "as reasonably practicable".

For respirable crystalline silica dust, which emanates from construction processes involving set concrete or stone (kerb/block cutting, drilling, chasing, laying concrete rubble as hardcore) the work exposure limit is set as 0.1mg/m3 (which is 40 times less than the WEL for general dust).  

Exposure to silica dust can cause Silicosis and Chronic Obstrusive Pulmonary disease. This interferes with air movement in and out of the lungs and causes breathlessness, often with a chronic cough and spuntum (phelegm). 

Respirable crystalline silica dust

Invisibly fine, it is breathed in through the nose and mouth and into the lungs where it can remain for many years. It can cause irreversible lung damage before any symptoms develop and the illness may continue to worsen even after exposure stops. 


Dermatitis

Contact Dermatitis (also known as eczema) is inflammation of the skin that arises from contact with a range of materials. 

The main signs and symptoms are:

  • dryness; 
  • redness;
  • itching;
  • swelling;
  • flaking;
  • cracking;
  • and blistering of the skin, and it can be very painful.

All construction workers can be affected but those involved with road construction are at particular risk due to frequent contact with these harmful substances. 

Skin Contact
The ways in which skin comes into contact with chemical agents are direct contact with substances, splashes and touching contaminated surfaces (eg work surfaces, tools, coveralls and gloves). Also, airborne substances can deposit on the skin.

Your Legal Obligations

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health [COSHH] Regulations require employers to identify the hazards associated with substances in the workplace, such as chemical agents, and assess the extent of likely exposure when these substances are used. Based on these assessments, they must then determine the lth risks. Once a judgement of the risks has been evaluated, controls to minimise these must be put in place. 

The law is clear. Until this has been done employees may not work with substanceshazardous to health.

The management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 describe what employers are required to do to manage health and safety. These regulations are important for substances like cosmetic products and wet working.

Employers must consult employees and their representatives on health and safety matters including when prevention of dermal exposure is not reasonably practicable. Employees must co-operate with the employer to meet the legal obligations.

Substances that cause most skin health problems

  • wet cement; 
  • epoxy resins or hardeners; 
  • acrylic sealants;
  • bitument or asphalt;
  • solvents used in paints, glues or other surface coatings;
  • petrol, disel, oils and greases;
  • degreasers, descalers and detergents. 

Free prevent work Dermatitis guidance

Work-related dermatitis (also known as eczema) can cause serious problems. Download this free guidance booklet to find out more. 

Case studies

HSE have a library of case studies and personal stories to help you keep on top of Dermatitis. 


Musculo-skeletal disorders

Construction activities that involve manual handling present a significant risk of Musculo-Skeletal Disorders (MSDs).

A MSD is an injury that affects the muscles, joints, tendons or spinal discs.

Such injuries are most likely to affect the back, shoulders and neck, and legs. 

Symptoms may include pain, aching, discomfort, numbness, tingling and swelling. 

Construction workers suffering from MSD have a reduced ability to do tasks, as well as pain or discomfort; serious cases can result in permanent disability. 

The construction industry has one of the highest rates of MSDs. 

There are no absolute safe weights to lift/move by hand. The guidelines provide advice on lifting weights at various horizontal and vertical locations from the body.

It is worth noting that a conventional concrete kerb weighs almost 70kg (when dry) compared with a plastic kerb that weighs about 6kg (91% less weight). 

Typical construction activities that cause injury

  • Manual handling - from lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying;
  • Repetitive tasks - handling heavy objects is not the only cause of injury. Harm can also result from repetitive tasks even if with light loads or where the person's body position is less than ideal such as tying reinforcing steel bars;
  • Other high risk tasks are block laying, laying kerbs and paving slabs, moving and installing mechanical and electrical equipment at height.  

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

As amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002, provide more information on employer requirements. Find out more

HSE guidance on Musculo-skeletal disorders

Click to find out more


Solar radiation (sun burn)

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause skin damage including sunburn, blistering, skin ageing and in the long term can lead to skin cancer. 

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK, with over 40,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the population of the UK with incident rate for construction workers 6 times the general rate.

UV radiation should be considered an occupational hazard for people who work outdoors. 

Whilst all construction workers are at risk, those with pale skin are most at risk of skin damage, especially those with fair or red hair, with a lot of freckles or with a family history of skin cancer.

No Time to Lose

Cancer caused by work claims 666,000 lives a year worldwide

IOSH's No Time to Lose campaign aims to get the causes of occupational cancer better understood and help you take action.

Download IOSH's free guidance leaflet: Solar Radiation, the facts.

HSE's guidance on solar radiation

Find out more about skin cancer on the HSE information web pages.


Stress

Stress at work is a major issue. Find out how to prevent work related stress and comply with the law.


Vibration

Hand-arm vibration is transmitted from construction work activity into the hands and arms when:

  • using hand held power tools, such as road breakers; 
  • using hand guided equipment such as a vibrating compactor; 
  • holding materials being processes by a machine. 

Construction workers are more likely to suffer permanent harm if contact with vibration is a regular and frequent part of their job.

Hand-arm vibration can cause a range of conditions called hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).

The best known is vibration white finger (VWF), but vibration also links to specific diseases such as carpal tunnel. 

Symptoms

The symptoms include any combination of: 

  • tingling and numbness in the fingers
  • not being able to feel things properly 
  • loss of strength in the hands 
  • fingers going white (blanching) and becoming red and painful on recovery. 

Effects of these symtoms

  • pain, distress and disturbed sleep;
  • inability to do work or everyday tasks; 
  • reduced ability to work in cold or damp conditions; 
  • reduced grip strength.


All health and safety guidance (HSG) publications

View the HSE's range of advice and guidance documentation


Occupational Cancer in Great Britain

Many work and non-work related factors can cause cancer.

HSE summarise the estimated cases of occupational cancer, known carcinogens and other useful statistical information.


Health and safety statistics

Where to start with health and safety statistics? View key figures for Great Britain (2019/20) released by the Health and Safety Executive.


Occupational health risk management in construction

This document, prepared by the Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) Health Risks Working Group, offers advice on assessing the risks to health in the construction industry and the role of the occupational health service in preventing or controlling those risks.

It’s aimed primarily at employers, but other health and safety professionals may find it useful, particularly in identifying their roles in the management of occupational health risks in construction.

Occupational health risk management in construction


Guidance for Occupational Health Exam

Please refer to this document as background reading and research into statistics, prior to taking the Occupational Health Exam.

It may be useful to have some of this information open on your desk top while sitting the exam.