OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 
HAZARDS AND THEIR CONTROL 
MEASURES    

 
National Safety Council , Hqs. 
98‐A,Institutional Area, Sector 15, 
CBD Belapur , Maharashtra 
 NaviMumbai – 400615. 
India    www.nsc.org.in
Contact  no :  022‐ 27579924 /25 
 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS & THEIR CONTROL
MEASURES IN CONSTRUCTION WORK

Occupational Health

Promotion and Maintenance of the Highest Degree of Physical, Mental and Social
Well-being of Employees in All Occupations at All Locations shall be the objective of
owner of each premises.

Occupational Diseases – There are 15 Notifiable Occupational Diseases

mentioned in the Building and Other Construction Work as per schedule II of the act.
When a building worker contracts any of these diseases (mentioned below), a notice
in form XIII shall be sent to the Director General.

1. Occupational dermatitis
2. Occupational cancer
3. Asbestosis
4. Silicosis
5. Lead poisoning including poisoning by any preparation or compound of lead
or their sequelae.
6. Benzene poisoning, including poisoning by any of its homologues, their nitro
or amino derivatives or its sequelae.
7. Occupational asthma
8. Pesticide poisoning
9. Carbon monoxide poisoning
10. Toxic jaundice
11. Toxic anaemia
12. Compressed air illness (Caissons disease)
13. Noise induced hearing loss
14. Isocyanates poisoning
15. Toxic nephritis.

Gloomy Side
• No man without occupation
• No occupation without hazards
• No treatment for most of occupational diseases

Rosy Side
• Most are 100 % preventable
• Causative factors – known, identifiable, measurable and controllable
• Population at risk – known, supervisable, controllable
• Environmental boundaries – well defined, controllable
• Early diagnosis – possible due to long latency period

Construction Work
• Buildings
• Transport - Roads, Bridges, Railway stations, Air port
• Industrial

National Safety Council, India

Problems in Construction Work

• Unorganized sector
• Multiple tasks at same time
• Multiple hazards
• Unskilled labour
• High turnover
• Multiple contractors and sub-contractors
• Low awareness among those prone to get affected

Occupations in Construction Work

• Managerial and • Transport workers • Laborers and helpers

Supervisors • Electricians • Steel fixers and
• Plasterers • Painters erectors
• Masons • Demolition workers • Landscapers
• Carpenters • Insulation workers • Pipe fitters, plumbers
• Roofers • Roofers • Tilers
• Concrete handlers • Equipment operators • Welders, cutters
• Scaffolders • Riggers • Blasters

Routes of Entry of Hazardous substances

• Inhalation
• Skin absorption
• Ingestion

Health Hazards in Construction Work

Causative Factors Health Effects Control Measures

Heat
• Prolonged working in • Burns • Shelters
direct sunlight • Heat Exhaustion • Proper ventilation
• Enclosed area • Heat Stroke • Work rest cycle
• Poor ventilation • Heat Cramps • Adequate water
• High humidity • Increased Fatigue intake
• Protective clothing • Proper clothing
Cold
• Winter • Chilblains • Shelters
• Rains • Frost Bite • Proper ventilation
• High winds • Hypothermia • Rest work cycle
• Proper protective
clothing
Light
• Insufficient Light • Eye strain • Ensure proper
• Excessive Light illumination
Noise
• Front loader Auditory Effects • Proper maintenance

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• Backhoe • Temporary Hearing • Proper fixing
• Tractor Loss • Noise measurement
• Truck • Permanent Hearing • Ear muffs, ear plugs
• Concrete mixer loss (NIHL) • Noise helmets
• Pump Non-Auditory effects
• Compressor • Nervousness
• Pneumatic wrench • Fatigue
• Jackhammer • Interference with
• Power saw communication
Vibration – Whole Body
• Drillers • Musculoskeletal • Evaluation
• Air hammers problems • Proper fixing of seat
• Pile drivers • Joint problems • Cushioning
• Tractors • Work rest cycle
• Graders
• Excavators
• Earthmoving
equipment
Vibration-Hand-Arm
• Pneumatic Tools • White Fingers • Maintenance
• Hammers • Injuries to joints, • Work rest schedule
• Disk grinders hands, elbow • Anti-vibration gloves
Non-Ionizing Radiation
• Ultraviolet Radiation • Arc Eyes • Eye protection
sunlight • Cataracts • Goggles
• Infra red radiation • Skin cancer • Sun screen
Welding & cutting • Premature skin ageing
Health Hazards in Construction Work

Causative Factors Health Effects Control Measures

Ionizing Radiation
• Industrial • Genetic changes • Use of PPE
Radiography • Malformations • Planned operations
• Cancer
• Leukemia
• Ulceration
Local action on Skin
• Cement • Contact Dermatitis • Use of barrier cream
• Solvents • Absorption through • Use of hand gloves
• Various other skin • Use of ankle shoes
chemicals • Hand washing
Dusts
• Cement • Pneumoconiosis- • Engineering
• Sand Affection of Lungs measures to reduce
• Other stone material • Silicosis- Silica dust
• Asbestosis – • Masks
Asbestos The above • Respirators

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 health effects are
related to respiratory
problems
Gases & Fumes
• Welding fumes • Severe lung irritation • Control at source
• Solvents • Asphyxia • Local exhaust
• Cutting oil mists • Lung cancer ventilation
• Spray paints • Effects on various • Proper ventilation
• Solvent vapours organs • Use of PPE
• Asbestos
• Lead
• Silica
• Cadmium
• Carbon monoxide
Ingestion
• Various chemicals • Systemic health • Wash basins
• Microbes effects • Hand washing

Microbes
Exposure may occur • Bacteria, fungi, • Minimize exposure
during demolition, Viruses, molds • Proper ventilation
renovation, sewer work, • Ingestion • Safe drinking water
work on air handling • Broken skin • Proper Sanitation
systems, or other • Inhalation • Immunization
construction work from • Hand washing
contact with • Maintain hygienic
contaminated or conditions.
disease-carrying
• PPE
Soil
Water
Insects (mosquitoes,
ticks)
Bird, bat droppings
Animals
Structures
Health Hazards in Construction Work

Causative Factors Health Effects Control Measures

Psychosocial
• Migrant population • Stress • No smoking policy
• Low wages • Addictions • Adequate nutrition
• Deprivation of family • Sexually Transmitted • Proper timely wages
life diseases • Crèches & Medical
• Changing job locations • Malnutrition facility.
• Grievance redressal
mechanism
• Health education
lectures
Accidents

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• Fall from Height • Death • Use of safety belt /
• Fall of heavy object • Head injury harness
• Tripping • Spinal injury • Helmet/Gloves
• Faulty Weight Lifting • Fractures • Safety shoes
• Moving machinery • Crush injury • Good housekeeping
and parts • Disability • Proper scaffolding
• Collapse of structure • Safety measures
• HIRA analysis and
control measures
Ergonomic
• Manual handling • Backache • Minimize manual
• Heavy, frequent and • Body ache handling
awkward lifting • Joint problems • Correct lifting
• Repetitive tasks • Strain and sprain technique
• Awkward postures • Fatigue • Job rotations
• Using excessive • Work rest cycle
force • Proper design of work
• Overexertion place and machines

How to Prevent & Control Health Hazards in Construction Industry

• Spreading Knowledge
• Identification of Specific Health Hazards
• Action by the concerned authority / persons for mitigation
• Attitude of the

¾ Management
¾ Workers
¾ Union
¾ Government
¾ Law Enforcing agencies

Hierarchy of Control – preferred sequence

1. Elimination 7. Ergonomics
2. Substitution 8. Written procedures
3. Control of hazard at source 9. Adequate supervision
4. Remove person from Hazard 10. Training
5. Enclosure 11. Personal Protective equipment
6. Segregation

Prevention & Control of Health Hazards in Construction Industry

Engineering Measures Administrative Medical Measures

Measures
• Design of Workplace • Washing Facilities
• Safe Procedures • Safe drinking water
• Risk evaluation • Nutritious food
• Application of • Personal Protective
• Pre-employment
Examination
• Periodic Examination
• Biological Monitoring

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 Ergonomics Equipments • Medical & Health
Principles • Statistical Monitoring Care Services
• General Ventilation • Research • Immunization
• Lighting • Good Housekeeping • Counseling Services
• Repair & • Training • Notification
Maintenance of • Work Rest cycle • Documentation &
Equipment • Safety audits Research
• Environmental • Family planning • Health Education
sanitation • Grievance redressal
mechanism

Legislative Provisions

BOCW Act mentions in detail the measures required for protecting the health.

Chapter VI – Hours of work, Welfare Measures and Other Conditions of service

of Building Workers

Normal Working Hours Latrines and urinals

Prohibition of employment of certain Crèches
persons Canteens
Drinking water

Chapter VII – Safety And Health Measures

• Section 40 - Power of appropriate Government to make rules for the safety and
health of building workers
• Section 41 - Framing of Model Rules for safety measures

Chapter VI (Central Rules 1998) - General Provisions

Excessive noise / vibrations Dust, gases , fumes etc.

Emergency action plan Eye protection
Lifting and carrying of excessive Illumination
weight
Dangerous and harmful environment

Chapter XXIV – Medical Facilities

Rule 223 - Medical Examination of Building Workers

• Form XI – Certificate of medical examination (Rule 223(c)

• Form XII – Health Register – Rule 223(d)
• Construction Medical Officer – Rule 224 (1)

Rule 224 - Duties of Construction Medical Officer

Rule 225 - Occupational Health Centre (OHC)

National Safety Council, India

• Required if work involving hazardous processes specified in Schedule IX
• Can be mobile or static
• Services and facilities as per scale in Schedule X
• Appointment of construction medical officer - Qualification as in Schedule XI
• Schedule X – Rule 225(b) - Services and Facilities to be provided on OHC
• Schedule XI – Rule 119(2) Rule 225(c) - Qualification of CMO

Rule 226 - Ambulance Room

• 500 or less workers - Ambulance room at construction site or arrangement with

nearby hospital
• More than 500 workers - Ambulance room at construction site

Rule 227 – Ambulance Van

Rule 228 – Stretchers

Rule 229 – Occupational Health Services (> 500 workers)

• Availability at all times • Advice to employer on OH issues

• First-aid and emergency services • Health education including family planning
• Special Medical Examinations • Co-operation with inspector on OH issues
• First-aid training • Immunization on tetanus, typhoid, cholera

Rule 230 – Notice of poisoning or occupational disease

Rule 231 – First-aid Boxes

Rule 232 – Emergency care services or emergency treatment

Key Elements of Occupational Health and Safety Management System ( Either

IS 18001 / OHSAS 18001 )

• Hazard Investigation & Risk • Operational controls

Analysis • Emergency preparedness and
• Determining controls response
• Strict compliance with legal • Mock drills
requirements • Compliance evaluation
• Workers participation and • Incident investigation
awareness
• Continuous risk assessment
• Taking in consideration of all
stakeholders

Conformance to Occupational Health and Safety Management System ( Either

IS 18001 / OHSAS 18001 ) ensures

• Conformance to ILO guidelines

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• Conformance to statutory requirements
• Conformance to business requirements

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National Safety Council, India