Managing Construction Health and Safety Hazards with Safety Training

Construction is one of the most vital industries in modern society, providing infrastructure, buildings, and facilities essential for growth and innovation. However, it is also one of the most hazardous industries, with workers regularly exposed to a variety of dangers. According to 29 CFR 1926, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) regulations for the construction industry, understanding and mitigating these risks is essential for ensuring worker safety and compliance. To maintain safety, safety and health training and safety courses are crucial tools that equip construction workers with the knowledge to identify and control risks. Proper safety training helps prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities by teaching workers how to recognize hazards, use protective equipment, and implement safe work practices.

This blog will explore health and safety hazards found in construction settings, from chemical hazards to physical hazards, biological hazards, and ergonomic risks. Understanding these hazards and their impact is vital to implementing effective mitigation strategies, ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations, and keeping workers safe on the job site.

What is a Health and Safety Hazard?

A health and safety hazard is defined as any condition, practice, or substance that can potentially cause harm, injury, or illness to workers. These hazards can be physical, chemical, biological, or ergonomic in nature and are commonly encountered in construction settings. The goal of identifying these hazards is to control or eliminate them to minimize the risk to workers.

Construction workers are exposed to numerous hazards daily, which is why safety training and using safety courses are necessary. Online safety training has proven effective by allowing workers to access vital information and resources at their convenience. Safety training helps workers recognize these dangers, use protective measures, and reduce the likelihood of accidents. So, why is it important to mitigate construction hazards? The answer lies in protecting worker health and ensuring the safe execution of construction projects. Mitigating risks prevents injuries, avoids costly fines, maintains project timelines, and builds a safety-conscious workforce.

The Hierarchy of Controls

The hierarchy of controls is a systematic approach used in construction—and other industries—to minimize or eliminate hazards in the workplace. It is organized in a prioritized order to ensure the most effective control methods are implemented first. The hierarchy starts with elimination, which involves completely removing the hazard from the workplace. If elimination isn’t feasible, substitution involves replacing the hazardous material or process with a less dangerous one. Next is engineering controls, such as installing ventilation systems, using barriers, or designing safer machinery to isolate workers from hazards. If engineering controls cannot fully mitigate the risk, administrative controls are implemented, which include changes to work practices, schedules, and employee training to limit exposure to hazards. Lastly, if all other methods fail, personal protective equipment (PPE)—such as helmets, gloves, respirators, and safety goggles—is used as the last line of defense to protect workers from harm. Using this hierarchy ensures a systematic and effective approach to controlling risks in the construction environment.

Identifying Hazard Control Options: The Hierarchy of Controls

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/Hierarchy_of_Controls_02.01.23_form_508_2.pdf

Chemical Hazards in Construction

Chemical hazards are one of the most common and dangerous health risks faced by construction workers. These hazards are present in various forms. However, they can be identified through safety and health training. These hazards can create long-term or immediate health effects to employees in the construction industry. Construction workers may encounter hazardous chemicals in many forms, including dusts, fumes, fibers (solids), liquids and mists, and gases or vapors. These chemical exposures can lead to respiratory issues, skin conditions, poisoning, or even fatal health complications if not properly managed.

Common Types of Chemical Hazards

Asbestos: Asbestos was once commonly used in construction materials such as insulation, roofing, and cement. However, exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to serious lung diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Exposure often occurs during demolition, renovation, or when damaged asbestos-containing materials are disturbed.

Lead: Lead is another dangerous chemical found in older construction materials like paints, pipes, and coatings. Exposure can occur during sanding, scraping, or removing old lead-based materials.

Lead exposure can impair cognitive function and cause neurological disorders, especially in children.

Silica: Silica dust is generated during tasks like cutting, grinding, drilling, or breaking concrete, stone, or masonry.

Workers exposed to high levels of silica dust are at risk for silicosis, a lung disease caused by prolonged inhalation of fine silica particles.

Carbon Monoxide (CO): CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal if inhaled in large amounts. Construction workers may encounter CO when operating gas-powered equipment or machinery.

Spray Paints and Vapors: Spray paints and other chemical coatings release hazardous fumes during application. Workers exposed to these chemicals without proper personal protective equipment (PPE) may experience respiratory issues, headaches, or dizziness.

Routes of Chemical Exposure

Workers can be exposed to chemicals through various routes:

Inhalation: Breathing in dusts, fumes, or vapors.

Example: Exposure to silica dust during concrete cutting.

Absorption: Chemicals entering the body through the skin.

Example: Lead paint or spray paint contacting the skin.

Injection: Accidental punctures by contaminated tools, such as nails or sharp equipment.

Ingestion: Accidental swallowing of hazardous substances, typically through poor hygiene practices or contaminated hands.

Understanding the routes of exposure emphasizes the importance of proper safety training and PPE. Workers must learn how to handle hazardous chemicals safely, and employers must ensure that adequate online safety training and courses are available to address these risks.

Physical Hazards in Construction

Physical hazards include risks caused by environmental factors, machinery, or equipment that can cause injury or discomfort to workers. Noise and vibration are two common examples of physical hazards that construction workers face daily.

Noise Hazards

Construction workers are frequently exposed to high noise levels from equipment such as:
Drillers
Air hammers
Pile drivers
Tractors
Graders
Excavators
Continuous exposure to loud noise can lead to permanent hearing loss. Workers should be trained to use hearing protection, and appropriate noise barriers should be implemented where possible.

OSHA Action Level and PEL

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines the action level for noise exposure as 85 decibels (dB), averaged over an 8-hour workday (referred to as the 8-hour time-weighted average or TWA). When noise exposure reaches or exceeds 85 dB, employers are required to implement a Hearing Conservation Program (HCP). The permissible exposure limit for noise is 90 db.

Employers must establish an HCP to:

Create a noise-monitoring program
Inform employees about hazardous noise levels
Allow employees to observe noise monitoring results
Maintain an audiometric testing program
Provide hearing protection equipment
Develop and deliver a comprehensive training program
Ensure access to relevant information and training

Experts widely recognize that prolonged exposure to noise levels above 85 dB can be harmful, and hearing protection is strongly recommended for exposure at or above this threshold.

Noise Exposure and Hearing Conservation

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3953.pdf

Vibration Hazards

Vibrations from machinery, power tools, or construction equipment can lead to hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) or other musculoskeletal disorders.
Workers exposed to prolonged vibration should receive appropriate online safety training and use vibration-dampening gloves or other equipment to minimize risk.

Biological Health Hazards

Biological hazards refer to exposure to harmful organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which can pose risks to construction workers. These hazards are often encountered during specific types of work, such as demolition, sewer construction, air handling maintenance, or clearing operations.

Examples of Biological Hazards are Bacteria and Viruses:

Exposure to contaminated water or soil.
Example: Working in sewage systems or flood zones.

Fungi and Mold: Mold can grow in damp, poorly ventilated areas. Exposure to mold can cause respiratory issues, allergic reactions, or other illnesses.

Rodents, Insects, and Animal Waste: Construction workers exposed to contaminated animal waste or disease-carrying animals (mosquitoes, ticks) risk becoming infected.

Workers must receive proper biological hazard training and hygiene education to minimize exposure risks. Online health and safety training offer a flexible and efficient way to educate workers about these risks and how to protect themselves.

Ergonomic Hazards

Ergonomic hazards are common in construction jobs and include risks associated with body movement and repetitive physical activity. Workers exposed to ergonomic hazards are at risk for musculoskeletal injuries, strains, or long-term physical stress.

Examples of Ergonomic Hazards

Heavy, frequent, or awkward lifting
Repetitive tasks and awkward grips or postures
Overexertion or excessive force usage
Improperly maintained tools or using tools incorrectly

Employers can reduce ergonomic hazards by providing appropriate tools, offering ergonomic training, and encouraging proper lifting and movement techniques.

Summary

Health and safety hazards are an everyday reality in construction work. Chemical hazards like asbestos and lead, physical hazards such as noise and vibration, biological health risks like mold and bacteria, and ergonomic risks are common examples. Workers must receive adequate safety training and health to recognize and mitigate these hazards. The benefits of ongoing safety training are clear: improved worker health, reduced accidents, enhanced compliance with OSHA standards, and overall safer job sites. By investing in comprehensive safety training programs and equipping workers with the tools they need to identify and control hazards, the construction industry can continue to build safer and more productive work environments.

Author: Dr. O’Neil G. Blake, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of OSHAccredited Safety Institute

MS., MBA., MSc., BSc, CSP., ASP., CSHM., CSMP., MRSA.

Date: 12-15-2024