Occupational Hygiene In: Construction Work
Occupational Hygiene In: Construction Work
Occupational Hygiene In: Construction Work
CONSTRUCTION WORK
CONSTRUCTION WORK
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE
OCCUPATION HYGIENE IN
CONSTRUCTION WORK
INTRODUCTION
The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act no 85 of 1993) requires employers
to provide a healthy, and safe working environment that is free from hazards.
Construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world, incurring more
occupational fatalities than any other sector.
For this reason the construction sector has been identified as one of the high-risk
sectors in the country by the Department of Labour and in order to reduce injury
and disease in the construction sector a Health and Safety accord has been signed
between Government, organised business and organised Labour organisations.
DEFINITIONS
Construction work means any work in connection with:
The construction, erection, alteration, renovation, repair, demolition or dismantling
of or addition to a building or any similar structure
The construction, erection, maintenance, demolition or dismantling of any
bridge, dam, canal, road, railway, runway, sewer or water reticulation system; or
the moving of earth, clearing of land, the making of excavation, piling, or any
similar civil engineering structure or type of work.
Construction site means a work place where construction work is being performed.
Construction contractor means an employer who performs construction work.
This booklet must be used in conjunction with other booklets published by the
Department as well as relevant legislation. It should be noted that this is just a
guidance book and the requirement of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993
still apply and employers must still comply with the requirement of the legislation.
CONSTRUCTION WORK
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE
CONSTRUCTION WORK
Type of occupational
hygiene stressor
Type of exposure
Chemical
Physical
Ergonomics
Heavy lifting
Un-natural posture
Repetitive motion
Psychological
Biological
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE
CONSTRUCTION WORK
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE
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Effect of welding fumes and gases includes hoarseness, sore throat, eye irritation and
metal fume fever and the long-term effects includes bronchitis, cancer and may cause
damage to the central nervous system.
Spray-painting/mists
Employees can be exposed to highly volatile and toxic materials during spray-painting.
Spray-painting is the process where a liquid coating substance, usually paint, is
changed into a mist or aerosol, in order to apply a coating onto an object or surface.
Hazards associated with spray-painting involve exposure to hazardous substances
through either inhaling of vapours, injection of paint or skin contact, fire and explosion,
electricity, plant and noise.
Short-term health effects that spray painting can cause are irritation contact
dermatitis, burns to the skin and eyes, vomiting and diarrhea, irritation to the nose,
throat and lungs, headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue.
Long-term health effect that can result from spray-painting are occupational asthma,
allergic contact dermatitis, lung cancer, painters syndrome which is prolonged
inhalation of paints and solvents resulting in brain damage, damage to the reproductive
system and kidney or liver damage.
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Illuminance (lux)
Ablutions
Building and
construction
200
Concrete shop
150w
20
200
300
500
Noise
Noise is commonly agreed to be unwanted sound. Sound can be considered unwanted
due to reasons of volume, type of noise, the time of day, or any factor making sound
unpleasant or annoying. Noise is one of the mostly highly present physical stressor in
the construction sectors. Types of noise sources in the construction sector include:
Construction and demolition process
Building operation
From use of heavy machinery and tools e.g. excavators, roller, concrete drills,
concrete grinders and concrete vibrators (jag hammer).
CONSTRUCTION WORK
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE
Vibration
Vibrations enters the body from the organ in contact with vibrating equipment, when an
employee operates handheld equipment such as chainsaw or jackhammer; vibration
affects hands and arms. Such exposure is called handheld vibration exposure. When
an employee sits or stand on a vibrating floor or seat the vibration affects almost the
entire body and thus is called whole body vibration exposure.
Temperature
Both very cold and very hot temperatures could be dangerous to your health. Excessive
exposure to heat is referred to as heat may cause stress and excessive exposure to cold
is referred to as cold stress.
The most serious concern in a very hot environment is heat stroke and can be fatal if it
does not get medical attention. Heat exhaustion and fainting (syncope) are less serious
types illnesses which are not fatal but interfere with a persons ability to work.
When employees are exposed to very cold temperatures, the concern to health is
hypothermia or dangerous overcooling of the body. Another serious effect of cold
exposure is frostbite or freezing of the exposed extremities such as fingers, toes, nose
and ear lobes. Hypothermia could be fatal in absence of immediate medical attention.
CONSTRUCTION WORK
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE
Ergonomics
Employees in the construction site can be exposed to ergonomic risk factors such
as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads,
working in a awkward body posture and performing the same task repetitively. When
employees are exposed they can develop muscular skeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs
affect the muscles, nerves and tendons and can cause temporary or permanent
disability.
Neck pain, back pain (upper extremities and lower back) are some of the work-related
MSDs. Employers can do a risk assessment and come up with programmes to reduce
such risks.
Pshychological stressors
Work-related stress can be an occupational health issue for the construction sector.
Working long hours, having too much work to do at the same time, being bullied at
work, family problems and distance from family are some of the factors that can cause
stress. Employers can establish employee health and wellness programmes to assist
employees.
Biological stressors
Employees at the construction site may be exposed to vector-borne disease, microorganisms vernomous wildlife, insects and poisonous plant during construction
work (mostly during construction site establishment). Examples include poison
ivy, scorpions and spider bites, mosquitoes and snakes. Poor hygiene can also be a
contributing factor to spreading disease.
Construction site hygiene encourages good housekeeping, provides workers with
clean drinking water, sanitary restroom and washing facilities.
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OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE
The Regulation for Hazardous biology Agents (20010 prescribe methods to handle
hazardous biology agents safety.
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ELIMINATION
SUBSTITUTION
ENGINEERING CONTROLS
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPTMENT
(Elimination) - can be by
substitution of chemicals used or
automation
(Engineering control) - by
isolating the process (noise zones),
screening (welding zones) or by
introducing wet spray method
in a dusty environment (dusty
environment)
(Administrative control) - by
demarcation, good housekeeping
and training. Control access, safe
working procedure and reduce
number of exposed employees
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Duties of employees
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and of other who may be affected
by their acts or omission
Cooperate with the employers to enable him/her to comply with the Act
Carry out ant lawful order, and obey the health and safety rules
Report any unsafe situation to the employer or to the health and safety representative.
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Functions of an inspector
Contact Details
Labour Head Office:
Telephone Numbers: (012)3094000
Email Address:
Provincial Offices:
Eastern Cape Provincial Office
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