RISK ASSESSMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS AMONG CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING WORKERS

Introduction: Construction and building work includes many hazardous tasks and conditions such as working with height, excavation, noise, dust, power tools, and equipment. Risk assessments help to ensure the health and safety of workers by identifying potential hazards for better working conditions and outcome. Aim of Work: To assess the magnitudeand types of occupational health hazards among construction and building workers and to carry out risk assessment for occupational health hazards to which construction and building workers are exposed. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and eight workers participated in a cross sectional study conducted at El-Alamein city. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic, occupational history and occupational health hazards among workers. A classical Risk Formula was used to identify occupational health hazards perceived by workers. Results: Physical hazards reported by workers were noise (72.1%), broken floor and slippery floors (64.9%, 59.1%) respectively. The majority of chemical hazards were cement, sand dust (88.5%), concrete (62%), toxic gases and solvent paints (23.6%, 13%) respectively, and 40.8% exposed to biological hazards. The most common mechanical hazards group were trauma and injuries (46.6%), varicose veins (33.6%), friction and trapping (19.2), hitting by rapidly moving equipment (17.3%). The most common ergonomic hazards were inappropriate working posture (82.7%), prolonged standing and trunkal twisting (76%). Noise, slippery floors, broken falls, cement, concrete, sand dust, heavy tools and inappropriate working posture ranked the highest risk by classical risk formula. Conclusion and Recommendations: Construction and building workers are exposed to occupational hazards, and safety precautions are recommended.