Occupational Health Problems in Construction Industry: A Case Study

Abstract

Construction workers are those, who perceive more clearly the lack of job safety. It has been evidenced by a number of studies that construction industry is one of the most hazardous work place industry with high rates of fatalities, injuries and health problems. It has been observed that more deaths are caused via ill health of the worker rather than any safety breach. Health problems can cause many problems for a project in terms of time overrun, cost overrun, less quality and loss of production. Hence, this paper presents various health problems in construction industry with in depth investigation of the causes leading to such health problems. Qualitative analysis has been conducted to identify the most common types of health problems recorded in this industry. Later on, their significant direct and indirect causes were identified. The findings of the research show that “heat stroke, eye strain, lungs irritation and skin disease” are found to be the major type of health problems in the construction industry of Pakistan. “Poor management, human element and poor site conditions” are found to be the main direct causes of health problems in this industry. It is further observed that “shortage in the supply of the proper equipment, lack of responsibilities, negligence of the safety precautions, and workers resistance to safety practices” are the indirect causes for the health problems. The study provides the basic information regarding this important issue to the decision makers as remedial measures can be made to reduce health problems in this industry and avoid negative impacts on the project.