Statistical information has demonstrated the greater significance of Occupational Health related deaths over fatal injuries. Construction is recorded as employing around 2.3 million workers – approximately 5% of the total UK workforce but accounts for 27% of fatal injuries and 10% of reported major injuries. There were 39 fatal injuries for the most recent reporting year versus 31,000 new cases of occupational ill health, of these 3,494 result in deaths from occupational cancers with a further 5,500 cancer registrations per year. It is estimated there will be 500 deaths as a result of exposure to silica. All of this contextualised against 1,754 reported road deaths for 2012. It has been reported that 54% of males do not reach a working age of 60 still working in construction and 56% of all male cancers are caused by working in construction. Significant health issues include vibration white finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, occupational deafness, dermatitis and work related musculoskeletal disorders. All of this results in significant costs to industry, which is estimated at £7.9 billion to individuals, £2.8 billion to employers and £3.0 billion to government.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Jul 2014 08:04:53 +0000