4 Common Health Hazards Construction Workers Face

By Tork Media

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4 Common Health Hazards Construction Workers Face

Construction work is physically demanding and often dangerous. Workers are regularly exposed to harsh weather, chemicals, dust, and other pollutants — all of which can have long-term effects on their health or lead to serious accidents.

To mitigate these risks, UK contractors and construction managers are legally required under HSE (Health and Safety Executive) guidelines to provide site welfare cabins and on-site welfare facilities like toilets, safe drinking water and rest areas.

In 2022–23 alone, 45 workers lost their lives due to work-related accidents in the UK construction industry. These numbers show the growing need to adapt safety best practices on-site, from providing proper gear like helmets, high-visibility jackets, gloves and boots to proper training to use machinery and guardrails and harnesses when working at height.

As a developer, you wouldn’t build a foundation with loose, low-grade fill — you’d choose something reliable, like Middaggs natural gravel, to make sure it’s durable and stands the test of time.

But what about your workers?

Cutting corners on safety to reduce overheads can cost far more in the long run. An on-site fatality doesn’t just result in the tragic loss of life. It can lead to serious legal consequences, project delays, financial losses, and a sharp decline in worker morale.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common health hazards faced by construction workers and how to prevent them.

1. Working at a Height

A recently published HSE report revealed that 47% of worker fatalities occurred by falling from a height. Whether it’s a building or a bridge being built, workers often have to work above ground. The site manager is in charge of making sure that nighttime construction at a height is avoided. If it’s raining, foggy, or windy, any work to be done at heights should be stopped immediately.

A safety net should be provided to help minimise the risk of a fall. Scaffoldings should be well constructed, and there should be proper guardrails along the edge of the floor to prevent mishaps.

Workers should also be equipped with proper protective gear and a harness when working at a height. Good-quality harnesses that are simple to secure to a sturdy support are ideal. 

Similarly, small design details on construction sites, such as high-quality fastening systems on enclosures or access panels, can help make everyday tasks safer. If you’re looking for reliable fastening solutions like these, we recommend exploring Zygology’s range of fasteners, designed for safety and ease of use on demanding sites.

2. Moving Objects

A construction site has several pieces of equipment and machinery at work simultaneously throughout the day, whether it’s a crane, excavator, forklift or telehandler. This heavy equipment poses risks to the operators and other construction workers as they move about on uneven surfaces and with extreme loads.

Some safe practices to follow to avoid accidents with moving objects include wearing personal protective equipment such as hard hats and high-visibility jackets, as well as not standing near machinery or under suspended loads. Because of the size of this equipment, visibility may be affected when reversing or turning, so operators should seek assistance from a banksman to guide the vehicle.

Additionally, the equipment must be regularly checked to see if any defects are present, which can jeopardise site safety.

3. Slipping, Tripping and Falling

Over 25% of construction injuries happen due to slipping, falling and tripping on objects. Construction sites have uneven surfaces, objects strewn about and an ever-changing layout. Given the general weather conditions, rain also plays a part in these accidents. A hole submerged in rainwater and a tool hidden under snow are examples of accidents waiting to occur.

The site manager must ensure site safety and prevent accidents. To achieve this, there should be a well-demarcated path for easy access for workers. Workers should be trained to properly stow away handheld equipment like drills in their designated areas.

If rain creates muddy, slippery areas, wooden planks or stones should be laid down to provide traction. After snowfall, walkways must be de-iced and treated with grit. Workers should also be provided with anti-skid boots, which can minimise the chances of slipping.

4. Continuous Exposure to Noise

Construction sites are noisy, with an average noise level of 80-90 dBA. This might not be harmful at the onset, but in the long run, it leads to hearing damage. Power equipment like Jackhammers has a higher decibel level of 120 dBA, making the noise level harmful to workers exposed to it for a long time.

Workers who use these power tools should be provided with noise-cancelling headphones, earmuffs and ample breaks between each session. This will help minimise the damage. They must also be checked at regular intervals for any neurological or auditory damage. An early intervention can help them get proper treatment.

Final Words

Construction workers face a wide range of health hazards, many of which can have long-term or even fatal consequences.

One common yet often overlooked condition is Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), caused by prolonged use of hand-held power tools. It’s a painful and irreversible condition that affects blood vessels, nerves, and joints. Another serious threat is asbestos exposure, especially when working on older buildings. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to respiratory diseases, including lung cancer and asbestosis.

Additional hazards include the risk of electrocution, working in excavation sites, and exposure to airborne toxins and pollutants — all of which require strict safety protocols.

Ensuring a safe work environment is a shared responsibility. Both employers and workers must follow proper procedures and use protective gear to minimise risks. A single lapse in judgement or negligence can result in severe injury, permanent disability, or even loss of life.