Health and Safety Authority Launches Construction Inspection Campaign Focusing on Occupational Health
Monday 13th June
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is today (Monday 13th June) launching an inspection campaign to raise awareness of occupational health risks in the construction sector. HSA inspectors will be visiting 250 construction sites nationwide this week with a particular emphasis on health issues such as exposure to carcinogenic dusts, manual handling and skin cancer.
According to Brian Higgisson, Assistant Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, “While there are high awareness levels of the dangers of asbestos, the same cannot be said about silica dusts. Exposure to these dusts can lead to extremely serious health problems so it is essential that the proper precautions are taken on site including dust extraction, wetting down and the appropriate Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE).”
Carcinogenic dusts including asbestos and silica are the biggest cause of death amongst construction workers. International research shows that 40% of all occupational cancers occur as a result of work in the construction sector. The effects of exposure to these types of dusts can take years to materialise so employers tend to focus on accident prevention at the expense of less obvious health hazards.
Other occupational health areas to be targeted include manual handling and skin cancer. A recent study on behalf of the HSA identified the handling of glazing units on construction sites as a key manual handling and ergonomic risk. And with construction workers more exposed to the sun and therefore more likely to be affected, HSA inspectors will also be providing advice and guidance on best practice to manage the risk.
Mr Higgisson said, “Employment in the construction sector is growing and new or younger workers who may have limited experience are taking up roles in the sector. Workers are also returning to the sector after spending extended time out of work or working in other sectors. Employers need to take these factors into consideration when managing site safety and health.”
ENDS
