Occupational Health
in the
Construction Industry
Department of Labor and Employment
Occupational Safety and Health Center
Session Objectives:
After this session, participants should be able to:
1. link and explain the common health hazards and
their health effects at the workplace especially in the
construction industry
2. recommend appropriate measures to monitor the
health of the workers
Aims of Occupational Health
(WHO/ILO)
Promote and maintain to the highest degree the physical,
mental and social well-being of workers of all occupations;
Prevent workers from departures due to health problems
caused by their working conditions;
Protect workers in their employment from hazards and risks
from factors adverse to health;
Place and maintain worker in an occupational environment
adapted to his/her physiological ability.
Health Hazards
PHYSICAL
HAZARD
ERGONOMIC CHEMICAL
HAZARD HAZARD
BIOLOGICAL
HAZARD
Genetic Physical
factors properties
Lifestyle Magnitude of
exposure
Workers’ WORK- Workplace
Age Susceptibility Factors
RELATED Duration of
DISEASE exposure
Timing of
Gender
exposure
Medical Multiplicity of
history exposure
Chemical Hazards
Organic Solvents
Occupational Sources
– Paints
– Varnishes
– Adhesives
– Additive Chemicals
Exposure
– Inhalation of vapors
– Skin absorption
Organic Solvents:
Health Effects
Neurotoxic Effects
Liver Effects
Respiratory Effects
Reproductive Effects
Kidney Effects
Lead
Occupational Sources
- Welders
- Radiator repairmen
- Solderers
- Shipyard workers
- Garage workers
- Pipe fitters
Exposure
- inhalation
- ingestion
Lead: Health Effects
Symptoms: Fatigue, difficulty in concentration,
headache
Diseases:
Hypertension
Anemia
Renal dysfunction
Cement
Fine, grayish green powder produced by heating cement
rock or other lime stone bearing materials
Occupational Sources
- Construction
- Cement Manufacturing
Exposure
– Inhalation
– Skin absorption
Cement: Health Effects
Skin Respiratory Tract
– Irritation – Irritation
– Small airway disease
Eyes – Pneumoconiosis
– Abrasion
– Irritation
Physical Hazards
Noise: Health Effects
Noise-induced hearing loss
(NIHL)
– Irreversible
Vibration: Health Effects
Whole body vibration Segmental vibration
Spine disorders Pain, numbness,
Cardiovascular tingling of hands
disturbance
Health Effects of Heat Stress
Disorders Causes Clinical Features
Heat Stroke Failure of temperature Convulsions, muscle itching,
control center in brain delirium with hot & dry skin,
body temp >410
Heat Exhaustion Physical exertion, loss of Dizziness, blurred vision,
water & electrolytes cold & clammy extremities
Heat Cramps Loss of water & electrolytes Cramps in extremities
Milaria rubra Malfunction of sweat Itchy skin rashes
glands
Biological Hazards
Tetanus
A neurological disorder characterized by increased
muscle tone and spasms, that is caused by
tetanospasmin, a protein toxin elaborated by the
organism Clostridium tetani.
It arises from the contamination of wounds with
Clostridium spores.
Tetanus
Clinical Symptoms
– Increased tone in the
masseter muscle (lockjaw)
– Sustained contraction of the
facial muscles (risus
sardonicus) and back
muscles (opisthotonus)
Tetanus
Prevention
– Active immunization with tetanus toxoid
– Careful wound management
Ergonomical Hazards
Ergonomics
“Fitting the Job to the Worker”
the task
(job content
& context)
the the
organization tool
the the
environment workstation
Ergonomic Stresses:
Health Effects
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Neck-shoulder pain
Low back pain
Ergonomic Stresses
Posture
Awkward posture
Static posture
Forceful Exertion
Overcome weight,
resistance, inertia
Lift, Push, Pull, Carry
Ergonomic Stresses
Movement
Extreme range of motion
– Twisting, bending
Repetitive
– same motion pattern
– short cycle time
Effective Workplace
Safety & Health Programs
Can help save the health and lives of workers
by reducing hazards and their consequences
Have positive effects on both workers morale
and productivity
Saves money
Standards, Policies and
Guidelines
Occupational Safety and Health Standards
– Rule 1960
Occupational Health Services
Department Order No. 13
Guidelines Governing Occupational Safety
and Health in the Construction Industry
– Section 8
Emergency Occupational Health Personnel and
Facilities
Rule 1960:
Occupational Health Services
1963: Emergency Health Services
1963.01: Medicines and Facilities (Table 47)
1963.02: Emergency Medical and Dental Services
DO 13: Section 8
Emergency Occupational Health
Personnel and Facilities
Number of OH Physician OH Dentist OH Nurse First Aider
workers
1 – 50 1 Full time
51 - 200 1Full time
201 – 300 1 Part time 1 Part time 1 Full time
> 300 1 Full Time 1 Full time 1 Full time
Emergency Hospital: 1 bed in excess of 300 workers
Additional bed for every 100 workers in excess of 300
DO 13: Section 8
Emergency Occupational Health
Personnel and Facilities
An employer may not establish an emergency
hospital or dental clinic in his workplace as
required in these regulations where there is a
hospital or dental clinic which is located not
more than five (5) kilometers away from the
workplace, if situated in any urban area, or which
can be reached in twenty-five (25) minutes of
travel, if situated in rural area, and the employer
has facilities readily available for transporting
workers to the hospital or dental clinic in case of
emergency.
DO 13: Section 16
Workers’ Welfare Facilities
Adequate supply of safe drinking water
Adequate sanitary and washing facilities
Suitable living accommodation
Separate sanitary, washing and sleeping
facilities for men and women workers.
DOLE
Department Order 53-03
Guidelines for the
Implementation of a Drug-Free
Workplace Policies and
Programs for the Private
Sector
DOLE
Department Order 73-05
Guidelines for the Implementation
of Policy and Program on TB
Prevention and Control in the
Workplace
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 187
“Instituting a Comprehensive and Unified Policy for the TB Control
in the Philippines”
DOLE
Department Order 102-10
Guidelines for the Implementation
of HIV and AIDS Prevention and
Control in the Workplace Program
REPUBLIC ACT 9211
Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003
Section 6. Designated Smoking And Non-Smoking Areas
– All designated smoking areas shall have at least one
(1) legible and visible sign posted, namely "SMOKING
AREA" for the information and guidance of all
concerned. In addition, the sign or note posted shall
include a warning about the health effects of direct or
secondhand exposure to tobacco smoke. Non-smoking
areas shall likewise have at least one (1) legible and
visible sign, namely: "NO SMOKING AREA" or "NO
SMOKING".
• Health hazards have particular
health effects to the body.
• Company policies and programs are
important to protect and monitor
workers’ health.
Thank You.
