Lung diseases, mental health issues, hearing impairment, and cardiovascular diseases are some of the major health concerns plaguing the construction industry. Increasing worker awareness and providing adequate resources are simple ways to improve the health and well-being of construction workers.

Worker health should be a priority in the construction industry, but most workers fail to realize where hazards are and how they impact their health and well-being. Although part of the onus is on the workers to protect their health, employers must provide the proper resources and education to protect workers from health hazards.

Here are some of the biggest health risks in the construction industry and how to protect yourself against them.

Biggest health risks in the construction industry

1. Beware of the causes of lung ailments and cancer 

Construction sites are notorious for dust, vapors, fumes, and gases. Long-term exposure to lung irritants can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and respiratory problems. If not addressed properly, it has the potential to develop into more complicated lung problems and even cancer.

Silica is another common workplace hazard. Inhaling silica dust from concrete that contains silica can cause silicosis, a serious and irreversible lung disease that can be fatal. Silica settles in the lungs and causes scar tissue to form, causing lung tissue to become thicker. Exposure to silica also increases the risk of lung cancer.

Environmental exposure to lung contaminants like silica and asbestos is high in the construction industry, so it’s important for workers and employers to take the necessary steps to lessen workers’ exposure to such toxins and the health risks they bring.

Asbestos—formerly a common building material found in everything from cement to drywall to pipe insulation and more—brings high risks of mesothelioma and asbestosis. Though the material has been banned from use in buildings for decades, workers today are still repairing and dismantling structures that are tainted with asbestos.

Invisible-to-the-eye airborne fibers from extant asbestos can cause lung scarring and the aforementioned diseases. Here are a few tips to help reduce your exposure to airborne contaminants:

• Monitor job sites for the presence of crystalline silica and asbestos. When found, mitigate those hazards before returning to work in that space.
• Educate workers on when to use respirators or protective barriers to reduce inhaling or spreading pollutants.
• Enforce the use of barriers and protective enclosures when they are required by conducting regular compliance checks.
• Mandate regular lung screening of workers. These screenings can detect cancer early and even save someone’s life.
• Encourage workers to quit smoking and offer resources to help them do it.

2. To avoid employee hearing problems, run a strict job site

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than half of construction workers exposed to hearing-damaging noise aren’t wearing ear protection. Hearing loss is one of the most common issues among construction workers—here are some numbers to back that up:

• Roughly 14% of all construction workers have hearing difficulty
• About 7% of all construction workers have tinnitus
• Approximately 25% of noise-exposed tested construction workers have a material hearing impairment that interferes with day-to-day activities
• 16% of noise-exposed tested construction workers have hearing impairment in both ears

Despite the fact that nearly every aspect of onsite construction involves noise, workers don’t take enough action to protect their hearing.

Oddly enough, many construction crews insist on more noise—playing loud music on a boombox as they pound nails or work by a loud, dangerous backhoe. By not caring for their own auditory health, they’re setting themselves up for auditory issues down the road.

To avoid hearing problems, consider the following tips:

• Educate workers about onsite risks to their hearing health
• Make hearing protective equipment mandatory on job sites
• Perform unscheduled compliance checks onsite to ensure workers are following guidelines for hearing safety

3. Take employees’ mental health seriously—and address mental health as an onsite issue

Mental health is the leading cause of disability in the workplace, according to the Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan. More than 80% of construction workers have had moderate to severe mental health issues.

Mental health issues continue to be pertinent in the construction sector, which ranks second highest in suicide rates among major industries. Although some problems are pre-existing—90% of construction workers have childhood trauma, and 70% have undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder—providing proper mental health resources is critical to addressing the growing problem.

Some things to keep in mind include:

• Encourage workers to speak up. While most people don’t like talking about their feelings, offering workers resources to do so may offer support to do so. 
• Make mental health a subject of safety meetings.
• Implement random drug testing to ensure workers are complying with a substance-free workplace. 
• Respect everyone, regardless of their rank.

4. Ignoring cardiovascular issues and heart health in workers could mean sudden death—remind them to be proactive

Small dietary and lifestyle changes can make a big impact when it comes to improving cardiovascular health—encourage them. 

According to the American Heart Association, roughly 1 in 25 construction workers have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. A 2012 study also found that 81% of construction workers had hypertension (high blood pressure) compared to just 32% of the general population. 

Construction work is stressful on the mind and body. Constant noise, exposure to environmental pollutants, and chronic stress can quickly damage health if the appropriate steps aren’t taken. Caring for your mental and physical health is critical to maintaining health and well-being. 

Here are some tips to support heart health:

• Provide access to appropriate resources for mental and physical health
• Monitor workers’ behavior and interactions to mitigate conflict that could lead to higher stress levels
• Implement a morning wellness routine—begin each day with simple stretching exercises to avoid workplace injuries
• Encourage regular physical activity among workers
• Advocate for regular physicals and checkups to ensure optimal cardiovascular health

Keeping workers healthy means keeping construction projects on deadline and with fewer safety incidents. It also means keeping a happier work crew, undeterred by the unexpected illness or death of a co-worker. At the end of the day, it’s about keeping everyone safe.

5. Musculoskeletal issues can take a worker off the job

Repetitive and jarring movements, often using heavy power equipment, are part and parcel of being in the construction industry. While there are ways to avoid issues, there’s no denying it can be hard on the musculoskeletal system and increases the risk of issues in the wrists, shoulders, knees, and back. 

Some of the most common musculoskeletal problems in the construction industry include: 

• Carpal tunnel syndrome in the hand and wrist
• Lower back pain
• Tendinitis in the shoulders and arms
• Knee problems including pain, loss of mobility and loss of flexibility
• Neck problems

According to the Laborer’s Health and Safety Fund of North America, lower back pain is a major cause of lost work time and disability. It usually results from tasks requiring force, such as lifting. Prolonged repetitive motions in awkward positions, such as tying rebar, can also cause it. The pain can be as simple as a dull, constantly burning ache or a sharp sensation radiating in the legs.

Here are some tips to help you maintain or improve your musculoskeletal health and avoid work-related issues:

• Stretch and warm up your muscles before starting work
• Management should encourage workers with musculoskeletal problems to seek treatment and rehabilitation immediately
• Workers should be educated on the proper way to lift heavy objects to avoid injury
• Ensure you have properly fitting footwear for optimal knee and foot strength and support
• Maintain a healthy weight to avoid additional stress on joints
• Increase support for susceptible areas to avoid further injury
• Safety meetings should include tips on how to avoid or basic steps to treat musculoskeletal problems
• Workers should be allowed time off when needed to treat these health issues

Creating and maintaining a safe and healthy construction workspace is a team effort. It involves workers taking an interest in maintaining their health and performing tasks in ways least damaging their health, while management provides adequate resources to keep workers safe and injury-free.