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Construction safety - Respiratory disease and it's relation to the construction industry

By Megan Roth

We like to think we've come a long ways since years past when miners and other blue-collar workers were exposed to life-threatening working conditions. We've moved forward from the days when we were willing to sacrifice a worker's health for the simple purpose of fixing a sewer or gut renovating a high-rise building of luxury apartments...right?

Wrong. Even in today's technologically advanced society, construction workers (among others) are exposed to life-threatening conditions in which their personal health is placed at risk in order to provide state-of-the-art facilities for the rest of society. More than 20 million workers are exposed to hazardous agents during the demolition of contaminated buildings and work in areas where dust, bird and bat droppings are prevelant. Work in these conditions increases the risk of specific diseases including certain cancers, asbstosis, silicosis, bronchitis, and pulmonary diseases (among many others).

On a less severe but equally alarming level, many workers also develop occupational asthma.

Rates of morbidity are up amongst construction workers, many of whom are exposed to harmful work conditions which spark the onset of various chronic respiratory illnesses. As mentioned earlier, these illnesses are more likely to occur in older, unkempt buildings where dust, mildew, and mold have had the opportunity to grow over time. Similarly, respiratory illnesses set in over time. The effects on one's health occur gradually rather than immediately; yet, the fact that they aren't sudden doesn't make them any less alarming.

Construction workers involved in painting and excavation are especially at risk; the harmful chemicals in paint and other products and the thick clouds of dust that result from digging often form a thick, tar-like layer along the respiratory tract, eventually settling in the lungs.

Often times, respiratory illnesses do not set in without signals. Workers suffering such diseases often develop a cough and other cold-like symptoms. Though workers in such conditions cannot completely avoid the onset of such illnesses, they can reduce their risks by wearing protective face masks and other such devices.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Megan Roth

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on July 25, 2008 (boomark / email).