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.