When we think of construction sites, especially those
involving infrastructure like bridges, tunnels and highways,
we usually picture heavy equipment like bulldozers,
excavators, steamrollers and heavy duty dump trucks.
These visible signs of construction activity tend to
make us think more of safety problems than of health
hazards. But the reality is that there can be just as
many, if not more, health-related hazards then there
are safety ones.
Construction activities are on-going throughout the
year. That means that construction workers on infrastructure
projects will have to deal with extremes of heat and
cold temperatures in most parts of the country. Frostbite
and hypothermia are serious hazards not only in Alaska
but also in mountainous areas. Heat Stroke and Heat
Exhaustion are problems not only in desert Southwest
and southern Florida, but in every part of the country
where summertime temperatures can rise into the 80’s
and 90’s.
There are biological hazards as well. We may not think
of immediately, but poison ivy, poison oak and poison
sumac are three common plants that pose health risks.
Wild dogs, rats, snakes, ticks (Lyme Disease), mosquitos,
and bees, hornets and wasps can also be significant
health hazards on a work site.
Chemical exposures on a construction site are also
not thought of immediately, but there can be quite a
few. Under dry conditions, dust is, usually generated
where the found is disturbed, as by bulldozing and excavating.
Are the soil particles that make up the dust cloud coated
with a hazardous chemical like benzo-x-pyrene (a potent
carcinogen found in petroleum residue)? Even if the
particles of dust are “clean,” working in
a dusty environment can produce eye, nose and throat
irritation, at the very least. Gasoline is commonly
found on-site and every one knows how flammable it is.
How often do we recall that gasoline in contact with
the skin can lead to dermatitis, not to mention the
adverse effects of breathing gasoline vapors? Is there
any crushing or cutting of concrete, that would produce
silica in the air? Welders protect themselves against
the UV light produced while welding. What about bystanders?
Are they protected or kept at a safe distance from the
welding or cutting operation?
Atlantic Environmental’s highly trained and experience
staff can help you produce a hazard assessment of your
construction project which will identify not only the
physical hazards involved, but also the chemical and
biological ones, as well. Armed with this information,
you will be able to provide the appropriate protective
equipment to your exposed employees and site visitors.
If interested in further information or testing, call
us at 1-800-344-4414 or e-mail us at info@atlenv.com
