New AIHA Booklet Addresses Construction Health Hazards

Construction workers often come face to face with significant health hazards that could lead to egronomic issues, hearing loss, cardiovasular disease or even cancer.

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) released new guidance via a booklet to address the issues to which industry employees commonly are exposed.

"Unfortunately, health hazards, such as noise or air contaminants, are common in construction. When health problems occur, they can cut careers short, cause pain and disability, and even cause premature death," said Matt Gillen, team leader for the Focus Four for Health project.

"Focus Four for Health: An Initiative to Address Four Major Construction Health Hazards," was created to address four key hazards in construction as well as the steps businesses can take to prevent injuries.

The booklet addresses how awareness about how occupational health hazards lags behind that for workplace safety — resulting in less attention to construction employer environment, health and safety  programs. 

"This new publication provides a one-stop, easy-to-use booklet to get employers started on the road to better on-the-job health. We want to stimulate new activities and partnerships among construction and safety and health professionals to better control health hazards. Ultimately, that will be good for the U.S. and Canadian construction workers and employers who build our homes, roads, bridges and buildings," Gillen stated.

The guidance booklet's four hazards can be viewed in the slideshow.