Cancer occurs when cells grow out of control and crowd out normal cells. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., followed by breast, lung and prostate cancer. These are also the four most common types of cancer in Canada.
Chemicals and substances can affect the body via inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption and can come from materials used on site or those already present in the environment.
Any disease or condition that lasts one year or longer and requires ongoing medical attention or limits a person’s daily life is considered chronic. Some of the most common chronic diseases include heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
The abuse of alcohol, illicit drugs and prescription medications affect the health and well-being of millions of Americans and Canadians each year. Construction workers are at higher risk for substance use disorders (SUDs) and overdoses than the general population.
Serious injuries, fatalities or other unexpected situations require effective emergency response to protect the safety and well-being of all workers on site. Critical incident stress management and debriefings help workers cope in the aftermath of a traumatic event.
Falls are the number one cause of construction fatalities in both the U.S. and Canada. Most fall fatalities occur from roofs, ladders and scaffolds. Workers are also at risk for serious injury caused by slips and trips around the jobsite. Fortunately, falls are preventable with proper protection.
The majority of Americans rely on health insurance to access affordable health care. However, health care spending and prescription drug prices continue to rise, adding to the cost of health insurance for LIUNA health and welfare funds and signatory employers.
Infectious diseases kill thousands of Americans annually. These include bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B and C and other diseases spread by contact with droplets or particles suspended in the air.
Workers' mental and emotional health affects their well-being and the safety of everyone on a jobsite. A variety of biological, psychological and environmental factors can all contribute to poor mental health.
Hazardous noise is a serious issue in construction, where decibel levels of equipment on jobsites regularly expose workers above safe level. Protecting workers' hearing is necessary for on-the-job safety and quality of life away from work. Once a workers' hearing is damaged, that hearing loss is irreversible.
Nutrition and fitness are a vital part of maintaining a long, successful career in construction. Yet there are many challenges for workers, from fewer nutritious food options to daily routines that make it more difficult to meet recommended guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.
LIUNA members spend much of their time outdoors and can be exposed to a number of environmental hazards, including weather-related illnesses like heat stress and cold stress. Other potential outdoor hazards include insects and environmental threats such as wildfire smoke and lightning .
Well-being is the state of being comfortable, happy and healthy. The concept includes all areas of life – our environment, finances, occupation, emotions, intellect, physical and spiritual health.
All of the “fatal four” hazards in construction – falls, electrocutions and struck-by and caught-in/between incidents – are physical hazards. Other physical hazards workers may face include motorist intrusions into work zones, trench collapses and workplace violence.
Safety culture involves how a company values safety and the steps taken to convey that to workers. Performing site audits to correct jobsite hazards and involving workers in the safety process are key components to developing a strong safety culture.
Exposure to silica dust is a significant potential hazard for Laborers, who can breathe in dust created by cutting, grinding or crushing concrete, brick, block or other materials. Silica dust is dangerous when inhaled and can lead to silicosis, COPD and death. Engineering controls can significantly decrease airborne dust on construction jobsites.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage and spinal discs. LIUNA members are at increased risk for MSDs due to the repetitive motions, awkward positions and heavy lifting common to the construction environment.
Tobacco use remains high among construction workers, with national surveys showing 34 percent of construction workers use some form of tobacco product compared to 22 percent of all adults. Vaping is also an issue of concern, with data showing serious health risks from inhaling vaporized liquids deep into the lungs.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes clothing, respiratory devices, hard hats, eye protection, gloves and other barriers used to prevent exposure to workplace hazards. Required PPE depends on the task being performed and the level of exposure.
Trenches collapse when they are not properly protected through sloping, benching, shoring or shielding. Confined spaces can pose both physical and atmospheric hazards. Both of these hazards can quickly claim the lives construction workers and their coworkers during rescue efforts.
Highway repair and construction are a major source of work hours for LIUNA signatory employers and members. Unfortunately, highway work zones can be among the most dangerous worksites in the construction industry due to intrusions from the traveling public and the use of heavy equipment.
Workplace violence affects millions of workers in the U.S. and Canada each year. Workplace violence is any threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation or other threatening or disruptive behavior that occurs on the job, including sexual harassment and bullying.
