EXW450 Module 4 Assignment Construction Worksite Analysis

Name

EXW 450 Social Determinants of Health & Behavior

Arizona State University

Dr.Hogan

18th September, 2022 

Construction Worksite Analysis

Introduction

Working as a machine operator for a construction company is a job that has many stressors that can affect your health adversely. Construction sites often include a crew of equipment operators whose job is to manage the various pieces of heavy gear on site. They have valid credentials and answer to a higher authority figure, such as a foreman or supervisor. Machine operators are experts in operating a wide variety of heavy machinery, such as bulldozers, rollers, excavators, trenchers, and compactors. Implementing and enforcing all preventative maintenance and safe operating procedures for corporate equipment is another responsibility. Maintenance includes things like making sure machinery is in its correct location before switching it on or off, loading or unloading it, and completing routine safety inspections. Other roles include educating new employees on how to use machinery securely and performing other construction duties. There are many health and safety hazards at a construction site such as, working at great heights, airborne and materials exposure, risk of tripping while navigating a busy worksite, vibration-related injury etc. According to research on Fatal Occupational Injuries by Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2020, approximately half of all occupational fatalities (47.4 percent) occurred in the transit and material moving industries (1,282 deaths) and the construction and extraction industries (976 deaths) (Statistics BLS, 2016). The following worksite analysis is a comprehensive breakdown of the construction work site features that have an impact on one’s health i.e., psychosocial, physical, other observed factors, demographics analysis, and recommendations for a healthier worksite environment.

Analysis of Worksite Features

Psychosocial Factors

Construction sites are known to have numerous psychosocial affecting one’s health adversely. The term “psychosocial factor” refers to any component of an individual’s environment that may have an effect on their mental health and/or social interactions. According to studies, the psychological and social (psychosocial) aspects of job structure, administration, and management all have a role in the development of occupational diseases and injuries. When it comes to management and employees in the construction industry, anxiety and depression are just two of the mental health concerns that have been connected to the prevalence of stress. Job characteristics (e.g., work amount, work environment), organizational role (e.g., job description, position), and future job prospects (i.e., career development, salary) are the three primary categories into which psychosocial factors fall. Under job prospects, job insecurity is a frequently reported psychosocial concern in the construction industry, and it has been shown to have harmful effects on both mental and physical health. The effects of the recession may be reflected in this result, which seems to hold true across a variety of sectors within this industry. Under organizational role, an employee’s stress levels may grow if his or her skills are not being fully used in the workplace. A construction worker’s skill set is likely rather varied, yet they may be stuck repeating the same two or three duties over and over again, despite the fact that they have likely learned a great deal more than that in their time on the job. Under job characteristics, worker stress due to economic and performance issues seems to be the greatest contributor to health problems in the construction industry, including the development of MSDs.

Physical Factors

The health of construction workers may be negatively impacted by a wide variety of physical factors. Construction workers might be endangered by several forms of energy, or “physical hazards,” throughout their daily operations. These physical factors include vibration, noise, and extreme temperatures. Noise-induced hearing loss is the result of prolonged exposure to loud noise. Above 85 dB, noise might begin to damage hearing. Working with machines is a noisy occupation. Pneumatic drills, hammers, and disc grinders are all examples of hand-held power tools that may cause vibration in the user’s hands and arms. Carpal tunnel syndrome, a disease that affects hands and fingers, may be triggered by hand-arm vibration (Vihlborg et al., 2022). A loss of touch and the ability to use your hands precisely will occur if the nerves are damaged in such a way that they cannot recover. Stress and illness from temperature extremes are both possible results of the body’s temperature fluctuating owing to the hot and cold circumstances of the workplace. Muscle cramps, dehydration, a sudden collapse, and even coma may result from strenuous exertion in hot conditions. Fatigue, uneven breathing, disorientation, and even loss of consciousness have all been linked to exposure to cold (hypothermia).

Additional Factors

Construction workers are also exposed to other additional factors affecting their health apart from psychosocial and physical factors. One such factor is isolation which can culminate into loneliness and stress. Most construction workers are separated from their families as most people work in unfamiliar places. The negative effects of loneliness on mental health are well-documented. Loneliness is a universal human experience. Some of the things that might set off feelings of isolation include losing a loved one, ending a relationship, relocating to a new location, and being cut off from friends and coworkers. People from marginalized communities, as well as those who lack social support networks, may be at a higher risk of experiencing isolation.

Educational Attainment and Opportunity Regarding Construction Machine Operators

Under educational attainment, most of the construction machine operator jobs require a high school diploma. Interested individuals enroll in institutions where they are equipped with various skills in machine operation. New hires in these fields often need to shadow seasoned pros for several weeks to a year. The training for these positions may include an official apprenticeship program (ONET, 2022). To get hired it is mainly essential for you to have knowledge in mechanical (tools and machine including their uses, designs, maintenance and repair), English language, security and public safety rules.

Demographics

Some demographics do not align with the construction industry. The construction business has a surprisingly low percentage of women working in it. Women only make up 11% of the labor force overall, but a large portion of that 11% works in office-based fields including design, management, and secretarial work (Naoum et al., 2019). The vast majority of construction employees are males, with an estimated 99 percent being male. Female representation in engineering is lowest in the United Kingdom (14% of first-year entrants are female) compared to the rest of Europe and North America. Sexism is a contributing factor; studies reveal that more than half of women in the construction industry report being treated unfairly because of their gender. In addition, majority of workers in the construction industry i.e., laborers are people with low skills and poor educational background. The educated professionals in the construction industry make up a very small percentage of workers.

Recommendations.

Regular Inspection and Risk Assessment

The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has identified four hazards unique to the construction industry that account for the vast majority of fatalities and serious injuries. Some examples include being electrocuted, having an item fall on top of them, or becoming entangled in machinery. Many of the “fatal four” incidents that occur on construction sites are not the result of little mistakes, but rather of major omissions that might have been avoided with regular risk assessment and inspection (Nnaji and Karakhan, 2020). Site managers must be alert to potential dangers, assess who is most at risk, and take appropriate measures to eliminate them.

Advising Frequent Rest Periods

Even the most seasoned operators may be worn out by the noise and stress of a construction site. After a long day of work, their reflexes may begin to slow down. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the site manager to make sure that everyone is taking sufficient breaks. The International Labor Organization (ILO) advises that workers who are on-site have at least 90 hours of rest every week, including at least one continuous 24-hour period (Jebelli, 2018). Workers in the construction industry may be eligible for compensatory rest breaks during high-stress hours, security-related jobs, and extended absences from home.

Educating Employees on Stress Management Techniques

Construction industry has been shown to be one of the most stressful professions. During the workweek, 82% of employees report feeling pressured. Besides raising the likelihood of making mistakes, stress may cause a variety of physical and mental health issues. Meanwhile, other studies show that just talking about stress and finding others who may relate can help. Therefore, construction managers should promote open communication on their sites to create a safer workplace and improve employee well-being. Employees' attempts to improve their working conditions may be bolstered by providing education on stress management and mental health first aid.

References

Jebelli, H., Hwang, S., & Lee, S. (2018). EEG-based workers' stress recognition at construction sites. Automation in Construction, 93, 315-324.

Naoum, S. G., Harris, J., Rizzuto, J., & Egbu, C. (2019). Gender in the construction industry: Literature review and comparative survey of men’s and women’s perceptions in UK construction consultancies. Journal of management in engineering, 36(2).

Nnaji, C., & Karakhan, A. A. (2020). Technologies for safety and health management in construction: Current use, implementation benefits and limitations, and adoption barriers. Journal of Building Engineering, 29, 101212.

ONET. (2022, August 23). Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from www.onetonline.org: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-2073.00

Statistics, B. O. L. (2016). Census of fatal occupational injuries. Washington, DC: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Vihlborg, P., Pettersson, H., Makdoumi, K., Wikström, S., Bryngelsson, L., Selander, J., & Graff, P. (2022). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Hand-Arm Vibration: A Swedish National Registry Case–Control Study. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 64(3), 197.