S J Stocks1, S Turner, R McNamee, M Carder, L Hussey, R M Agius. 1. Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Health Sciences Group, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK. ill.stocks@manchester.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Construction workers are at increased risk of work-related ill-health (WRI) worldwide. AIMS: To compare the incidence of medically reported WRI in occupations within the UK construction industry according to job title. METHODS: We calculated standardized incidence rate ratios (SRRs) using WRI cases for individual job titles returned to The Health and Occupation Reporting network by clinical specialists and UK population denominators. We counted frequencies of reported causal exposures or tasks reported by clinical specialists, occupational physicians and general practitioners. RESULTS: We found significantly increased incidence of WRI compared with other workers in the same major Standard Occupational Classification, i.e. workers with similar levels of qualifications, training, skills and experience, for skin neoplasia in roofers (SRR 6.3; 95% CI: 3.1-13.1), painters and decorators (2.1; 95% CI: 1.2-3.6) and labourers in building and woodworking trades (labourers, 6.6; 95% CI: 3.2-13.2); contact dermatitis in metal workers (1.4; 95% CI: 1.1-1.7) and labourers (1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.3); asthma in welders (3.8; 95% CI: 2.8-5.0); musculoskeletal disorders in welders (1.7; 95% CI: 1.1-2.8), road construction operatives (6.1; 95% CI: 3.8-9.6) and labourers (2.5; 95% CI: 1.7-3.7); long latency respiratory disease (mesothelioma, pneumoconiosis, lung cancer, non-malignant pleural disease) in pipe fitters (4.5; 95% CI: 3.2-6.2), electrical workers (2.7; 95% CI: 2.4-3.2), plumbing and heating engineers (2.3; 95% CI: 1.9-2.7), carpenters and joiners (2.7; 95% CI: 2.3-3.1), scaffolders (12; 95% CI: 8-18) and labourers (3.3; 95% CI: 2.6-4.1). CONCLUSIONS: UK construction industry workers have significantly increased risk of WRI. These data in individual construction occupations can be used to inform appropriate targeting of occupational health resources.
BACKGROUND: Construction workers are at increased risk of work-related ill-health (WRI) worldwide. AIMS: To compare the incidence of medically reported WRI in occupations within the UK construction industry according to job title. METHODS: We calculated standardized incidence rate ratios (SRRs) using WRI cases for individual job titles returned to The Health and Occupation Reporting network by clinical specialists and UK population denominators. We counted frequencies of reported causal exposures or tasks reported by clinical specialists, occupational physicians and general practitioners. RESULTS: We found significantly increased incidence of WRI compared with other workers in the same major Standard Occupational Classification, i.e. workers with similar levels of qualifications, training, skills and experience, for skin neoplasia in roofers (SRR 6.3; 95% CI: 3.1-13.1), painters and decorators (2.1; 95% CI: 1.2-3.6) and labourers in building and woodworking trades (labourers, 6.6; 95% CI: 3.2-13.2); contact dermatitis in metal workers (1.4; 95% CI: 1.1-1.7) and labourers (1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.3); asthma in welders (3.8; 95% CI: 2.8-5.0); musculoskeletal disorders in welders (1.7; 95% CI: 1.1-2.8), road construction operatives (6.1; 95% CI: 3.8-9.6) and labourers (2.5; 95% CI: 1.7-3.7); long latency respiratory disease (mesothelioma, pneumoconiosis, lung cancer, non-malignant pleural disease) in pipe fitters (4.5; 95% CI: 3.2-6.2), electrical workers (2.7; 95% CI: 2.4-3.2), plumbing and heating engineers (2.3; 95% CI: 1.9-2.7), carpenters and joiners (2.7; 95% CI: 2.3-3.1), scaffolders (12; 95% CI: 8-18) and labourers (3.3; 95% CI: 2.6-4.1). CONCLUSIONS: UK construction industry workers have significantly increased risk of WRI. These data in individual construction occupations can be used to inform appropriate targeting of occupational health resources.
Authors: Lars-Kristian Lunde; Markus Koch; Stein Knardahl; Morten Wærsted; Svend Erik Mathiassen; Mikael Forsman; Andreas Holtermann; Kaj Bo Veiersted Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2014-10-16 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Lene Lehmann Moberg; Lars-Kristian Lunde; Markus Koch; Anne Therese Tveter; Kaj Bo Veiersted Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2017-03-21 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Eleni Zorba; Antony Karpouzis; Alexandros Zorbas; Theodore Bazas; Sam Zorbas; Elias Alexopoulos; Ilias Zorbas; Konstantinos Kouskoukis; Theodoros Konstandinidis Journal: Saf Health Work Date: 2013-07-20
Authors: Lars-Kristian Lunde; Markus Koch; Kaj Bo Veiersted; Gunn-Helen Moen; Morten Wærsted; Stein Knardahl Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2016-03-23 Impact factor: 3.390