Common Construction-Related Health Problems

The construction industry is one of the more dangerous fields an individual can work in, but not only because of the great risk of physical injury from construction site hazards. Health-related issues for construction workers are also a very serious problem, and knowing what the more common illnesses are can help workers be aware of any potentially harmful ailments. Below is information on five construction-related health risks:

1. Asbestos: The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious illness, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Any designer or contractor should be familiar with any materials that contain asbestos before building, and any building built before the year 2000 may contain asbestos, so it is important to know everything about the structure before you disturb asbestos in the site.
2. Dermatitis: Contact dermatitis is the inflammation of skin that can arise from contact with certain materials, and symptoms can include anything from dryness to itching skin. All construction workers that have contact with harmful substances are at risk for this.
3. Respiratory disease: Construction-related respiratory diseases can include a wide range of illnesses which are made worse by breathing in hazardous substances that damage the lungs. Examples include occupational asthma or silicosis, an irreversible lung disease.
4. Noise: Frequent and regular exposure to loud noise can permanently damage a person’s hearing. This can also create a safety risk if it prevents a worker from communicating effectively or being able to hear warning signals.
5. Stress: As the construction industry is a very demanding field, both mentally and physically, work-related stress can cause anxiety and depression. These psychological issues may make it difficult for someone to perform effectively at his or her job, which can be dangerous in a safety-critical field.

Any of these health-related problems can endanger the health and well-being of a construction worker, so it is the employer’s responsibility to create a safe working environment and educate his or her employees on how to properly use safety equipment and avoid potentially dangerous injuries and health risks. However, if an employer is negligent and fails to protect employees, the consequences could be catastrophic. The Annapolis construction accident lawyers with the law firm of Alpert Schreyer can help Maryland workers who have been injured on the job obtain compensation for injuries. Call (800) 489-1577 for a no-cost consultation on your injury claim.