Older Male Construction Workers and Sustainability: Work-Related Risk Factors and Health Problems

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the characteristics of working conditions, exposure to risk factors, and health-related problems of older male construction workers. In this study, 1519 male construction workers were the subjects of study, and the working conditions, exposure to occupational risk factors, and physical health-related problems were compared among workers under 50 years, in their 50s, and 60 or over. Older male construction workers have lower educational backgrounds and lower average salaries. The degree of exposure to risk factors was higher in workers aged 60 or over than other age groups, such as high temperature, awkward posture, manual material handling, standing posture, repetitive motion, fumes/dust, vapor, skin contact, and tobacco smoke. In addition, the complaint rate of hearing problems, overall fatigue, backache, upper limb pain, or lower limb pain was higher in older workers. In particular, the complaint rate of musculoskeletal pain was 56.6%, overall fatigue was 40.3%, and the rate of depression symptoms was 41.9%. This study shows a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, overall fatigue, and depression symptoms of male elderly construction workers, suggesting that comprehensive support is needed to improve not only the working conditions of workers but also psychological health problems.

The Mediating Role of Safety Climate in the Relationship between Transformational Safety Leadership and Safe Behavior—The Case of Two Companies in Turkey and Romania

“…Finally, occupational health and safety does not refer exclusively to the absence of accidents and occupational disorders, but it is a way of managing the organization and strategy with implications in the field of sustainability [93,94]. Raising awareness of the implications of risk prevention [87] and consistent efforts towards praising achievements regarding safety compliance are small steps in a long journey aiming at truly safe workplaces [95,96].…”

The Influence of Work Environmental Risk Factors on Fatigue in The Construction Industry: A Review of Literature

“…This degree of muscle fatigue significantly varies with different work-related parameters including the gripping force, work posture and characteristics of vibration such as magnitude and frequency. 39,60,61 Mitigation Strategies Preventive measures like work-break cycles, work management, and cool-down arrangements with drinking water were suggested to ensure the wellbeing of construction employees in hot and muggy working circumstances have been implemented in many countries. 62 On the top of this, the OSHA instructions on safeguarding workers through the organizations of comprehensive heat illness prevention program can be adopted.…”