The Common Health And Safety Risks Associated With Construction Work

When carrying out any construction work, it is important to note that there are various things to take into account in terms of the health and safety risks posed by your activity. Here, we discuss a few of the serious risks that are posed by construction work.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a serious cause for concern for anyone working on a construction site, and an issue not to be taken lightly. Posing a potentially fatal risk to the health of construction workers, asbestos is a material that can release its fibres which can subsequently be inhaled into the lungs of workers. The effects of the disease can take a while to become apparent, with the amount of time between exposure to the material and signs of the disease being as much as 30 years.

Inhalation of the material can lead to lung cancer and mesothelioma – cancer of the chest and abdomen lining. Other cancers associated with asbestos exposure include stomach and intestinal cancer.

In severe cases, after high doses of exposure to asbestos, the condition asbestosis can occur, which is a particularly serious condition involving the scarring of the lungs that leads to respiratory problems and even heart failure.

Respiratory disease

As mentioned previously, asbestos can lead to respiratory disease when inhaled. There are, however, a variety of materials present in the majority of construction work such as diamond drilling which could lead to this health problem simply by generating dust or more hazardous substances. The most common respiratory diseases associated with construction work include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and silicosis.

Noise repercussions

Though diamond drilling itself is one of the quieter methods of construction work, there are many techniques and procedures which generate a lot of noise. Demolition work, for example, poses serious noise complaints both for those in the nearby vicinity and the workers themselves. Though locals’ opinions are often voiced publicly, the effects on the workers themselves often go by the wayside. Regular and frequent exposure to this level of noise can prove detrimental to a person’s hearing, posing a serious risk for workers as they fall vulnerable to instant damage from large noise impacts, the development of tinnitus – a condition disturbing sleep – or even gradual hearing loss.

Stress

Construction work is a stressful industry to be situated within for workers, for a number of reasons. Not only is the workload often incompatible with the amount of time provided for each project, putting workers under serious pressure to get the job done, but commuting, working long hours and the added factor of danger also make the job one of the more stressful out there. Further to this, the added pressure of being responsible for the safety of coworkers is a lot to take on, and only adds to and worsens this work-related stress.

Musculoskeletal problems and disorders

MSD (Musculoskeletal Disorder) is an injury affecting:

• Muscles
• Joints
• Tendons
• Spinal discs

Any injuries affecting these areas of the body are likely to impact on a person’s shoulders, back, neck and legs; all integral parts to many day-to-day tasks, particularly for those in a physical job such as those working on a construction site carrying out tasks, such as drilling and demolition work.

Here at Concrete Drilling Services Ltd, we recognise the hazards posed by construction work, and are passionate about regulating our expert concrete drilling and cutting services to ensure the utmost safety and good practice at all times. Serving customers throughout the areas of Bolton, Manchester and Liverpool, we have years of experience providing high-quality services to projects of all sizes. For more information on anything we do, or to arrange for our concrete drilling or cutting service at your project, get in touch with our friendly team of professionals today – we’re happy to help with any enquiry.