2.3.4 FORMS OF SAFETY AND HEALTH PROBLEMS
2.3.4.1 Fiona Murie (undated) listed the following as some of the main causes of fatal injuries and health problems in construction sector:
1. Falls: The number one construction killer in any country is falling from height and are principally due to the lack of proper edge protection in a variety of construction tasks. The most frequent culprit is inadequate scaffolding, with no proper access or no guardrails to prevent falls. Scaffolding is often erected by unqualified operatives and is sometimes improvised, using unsuitable materials. Apart from scaffolding problems, other causes include unprotected openings in buildings, lack of edge protection in roof work, lack of crawling boards on fragile roofs, demolition work and inappropriate use of ladder and hoists.
2. Fatal crush injuries and being struck by fallings objects:-Excavations which are not shored up (or at least sloped) may collapse, particularly after rainfall. Vehicles operating too close to the edge, where there are no stop blocks, may also cause a cave-in. walls may collapse when excavations undermine them. Buildings may collapse when supporting structures are injudiciously altered. Falling object, materials or tools can strike and kill workers - particularly if they are not wearing hard hats. Such falling objects are due to the lack of toe board on scaffolding, lack of tool belts for workers, bad storage and stacking and poor house keeping. Fatal injuries may also result from improper use of hoists and cranes and from being struck, crushed or trapped by vehicles, dumper trucks and machinery
3. Electrocutions: due to cable strike, or to contact with or arching from over head cables
2.3.4.2 111 Health in building workers-
• Invisible and ignored- Workers in the building trade are exposed to a wide range of hazardous substances and physical hazard. In many countries, the resulting health problems are not recognized as being work-related, and are not reported, recorded, compensated. This social invisibility, this censorship of the true damage to workers’ health means that there is no national policy to prevent problems, occupation iii health in the sector. It is a vicious circle. Yet, as with accidents, the causes of ill-health are well known and can be prevented or controlled. Some of the most common health problems in the construction sector are:
• Deafness: Exposure to hazardous noise level is so wide spread as to be routine and occupation deafness is very common among building workers. Here noise reduction methods can be used, for example on compressor, but personal protective equipment and training are essential to prevent hearing loss.
• Vibration syndrome: hand-arm vibration can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves. This leads to a lack of sensitivity in the fingers called Ray nauds syndrome, this condition is particularly due to the use of pneumatic tools. Whole body vibration is caused by operating heavy machinery and vehicles, and can damage the spine.
• Back injuries: These are caused by manual handing of heavy loads, sometimes over long distance- for example, bricks, cement blocks and cement bags weigh 50 kilos, confined spaces, awkward postures, heavy tasks and productivity demands and long hours can aggravate the problem, lower back injuries, sciatica, hernias and slipped discs can put people out of labour market for good.
• Other musculo-skeletal disorders:- These are injuries to muscles, nerves tendons and joints caused by physically demanding work.
Risk factors Include: Uncomfortable postures, forceful and repetitive Movement, awkward tools and Sustained effort. In many developing Countries, Construction work is really Labour-Intensive. There is Little Mechanization and tools are rudimentary, recycled and improvised. Typical Injuries Include: bursitis, from Kneeling, for example floor Laying; Tenosinovitis- the inflammation of the tendon, sheaths due to the over use and respective and forceful movements; tendonitis – inflammation of the tendons, especially in the shoulder, often due to working with the arms reaching above shoulder level; neck problems-for the same reason; epicondilitis (tennis elbowâ€), caused by the impact absorbed when making repeated blows Exposure to hazardous substance
Solvents: - Of many different kinds are used in paints, varnished, lacquers and adhesive. They can cause central nervous system damage and can harm the skin, liver, kidneys and cardiovascular system. Some solvents increase the likelihood of cancer- solvent can also cause reproductive problems. They can reduce fertility and cause birth defects and miscarriage. Isocyanides used in some paints and varnished bounding agents and resins can cause asthma and dermatitis. In the long term, they are also associated with cancer and reproductive hazard. Pesticides used in the timber treatment are poisonous. They can also present serious reproductive hazard. Chemical treatments for damp courses and fire treatment can also be hazardous.
