2.

Exposure and Effect of Physical Hazard

Physical hazard among construction workers commonly exposed to almost every field in
construction as shown on Table 1 below.

TYPE OF HAZARDS TYPE OF FIELD EXPOSED

Noise 1. Equipment and machine operator.
2. Other workers who presence in site
also experience exposure to noise
hazards.

Vibration 1. Large mobile equipment operator

2. Construction equipment handler
3. Driver

Extreme Temperatures(Hot/Cold) 1. In-Site Engineer

2. Road constructor
3. Other workers who presence in site
might experience exposure to
extreme temperatures.
Radiation 1. Welders
Table 1. Types of hazard and field affected
2.1. Noise Hazard

The level of noise is measured in decibels; the decibel level of noise in an average office is
roughly 40, the decibel level of noise on a busy street is approximately 65, and the decibel
level of noise caused by heavy traffic is approximately 80. If exposed for an extended period
of time, the risk for hearing noise is high especially for noise with frequencies higher than 90
decibel. When the molecules of air that surround our ears vibrate, some components of the
ear that are located inside are able to feel changes in the pressure. The vibrations are
amplified by these sections, which finally force the hairs in the inner ear to bend. When those
hairs are bent, nerve impulses are triggered, which the brain then interprets as sound.

The hairs are able to distort themselves and then go back to their original place with relative
ease. However, if the vibrations are excessively intense or continue for a lengthy amount of
time, the hairs in the cochlea might get permanently destroyed, which will result in a loss of
hearing. Hearing loss will result in the worker would not be able to do his job, particularly
because a lot of construction industries required the worker to have a healthy sense of hearing
and losing this certain sense will cause the worker failed the medical check up and his
presence in site will be a hazard for both himself and his co-worker.
2.2 Vibration

2.2.1 Whole Body Vibration

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is transmitted through the seat or feet of employees who drive
mobile machines, or other work vehicles, over rough and uneven surfaces as a main part of
their job. Large shocks and jolts may cause health risks including back-pain (HSE,2022).
Whole-body vibration and shocks, two factors that have been linked to back pain, are
commonly experience by mobile machine, earth-moving equipment and forklift driver.
Although it is well recognised that other aspects of drivers' jobs, such as poor posture and
lifting heavy objects, can contribute to back problems, more research is still required to fully
understand the effects of WBV.

2.2.2 Hand Arm Vibration

The complex of vascular, neurologic, and osteoarticular disorders occurring in the upper
limbs of vibration-exposed workers is called hand-arm vibration syndrome. There is
epidemiologic evidence for an increased occurrence of peripheral sensorineural disorders in
occupational groups working with vibrating tools (Bovenzi,1998). Hand arm vibration most
of the time affected construction worker who handle equipment such as driller and vibrator.
The neurologic symptoms, such as numbness and tingling, normally appear first, whereas the
vascular manifestations typically show up later and entail periodic ischemia episodes that are
induced by cold or stress.

2.2.3 Vibration White Finger

Vibration white finger is a condition that can occur after long-term use of vibrating power
tools or heavy machinery. Someone with the condition experiences tingling and numbness of
the hands and fingers. Numbness is often accompanied by whitening or blanching of the
fingertips (Behring,2022). This commonly affected workers that handle equipment like
jackhammer and vibrator.
2.3 Extreme Temperatures

2.3.1 Hot Weather

Hot temperatures and humidity obstruct the body ability to cool itself. The disorders of
hyperthermia, also known as heat-related injury or illness, exist on a continuum, which is
marked by dysregulation of the body’s thermoregulatory capacity. This can vary both in
presentation and in severity, from benign conditions, including heat cramps and heat edema,
to life-threatening hyperthermia (Levia & Church,2022). This hazard particularly suffered
among road construction worker in hot country such as Malaysia. Long period exposure to
piercing sun may lead to heat illness such as heat stroke.

2.3.2 Cold Weather

Because humans possess warm blood, our bodies are able to keep a temperature that is rather
constant. The temperature of the human body is maintained by the burning of fuel and the
production of heat by the human body. The risk that the internal temperatures of the body
will drop below the normal range increases when the body is subjected to cold temperatures.
This condition arises when the body loses heat at a rate that is greater than the rate at which it
can create heat. The rate at which heat is lost from the body can also be influenced by
external factors such as the temperature, humidity, the amount of wind, and the type of
clothing that is worn. Construction worker in country with cold climate are most likely to be
exposed to cold weather. Exposure to extreme cold weather may leads to medical condition
such as hypothermia.
2.4 Radiation

Welding, a widely used industrial process, is one of the most intense artificial
sources of optical radiation. Each type of welding process emits a different spectrum
and intensity of optical radiation (Tenkate,1998) . Radiation, especially optical radiation,
are commonly associated with welders in construction site. Over time, cataracts can develop
as a result of prolonged exposure to infrared radiation, which can cause the lens of the eye to
become overheated. The visible light produced by welding operations is extremely bright,
and as a result, it can overpower the eye's iris and make it impossible for it to close quickly
and completely enough to reduce the amount of light that reaches the retina in its full
intensity.
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