It is widely recognized that workers in the construction industry are more vulnerable than those in other industries to sustain injuries while on the job. Workers should also be informed that their risk of cancer can increase when working on construction projects. Over time, cancer diagnoses can result from toxic substance exposure on construction sites. You should hire a lawyer if you get cancer while working on construction sites and claim compensation.
Is Cancer Counted As A Construction Site Occupational Injury?
OSHA estimated that every year in the United States, occupation contributes to around 40,000 new cases and 20,000 cancer deaths. Construction site workers are at risk for many types of cancers, including:
- Lung cancer: Breathing in dangerous particles or tiny fibers can result to lung cancer. Breathing in crystalline silica particles increases the risk of lung cancer and other serious diseases that can manifest decades after exposure. Lung cancer has also been linked to diesel exhaust inhalation on construction sites.
- Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma, an aggressive and deadly disease that attacks the lining within the organs of the abdomen and chest, especially the lungs, has been associated with asbestos exposure.
- Skin cancer: The risk of getting skin cancer during construction work might be increased by excessive exposure to the sun. The American Cancer Society states that UV rays are the primary cause of melanoma and can harm DNA in skin cells. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that spreads rapidly through the body and can be fatal.
What Are the Cancer Risk Factors in the Construction Sector?
In comparison to workers in other industries, construction industry employees are exposed to more dangers on a daily basis. Construction workers are at greater risk of getting cancer if they are in contact with toxic chemicals, fumes, vapors, and hazardous materials over an extended amount of time. Exposure to asbestos, crystalline silica, engine exhaust, and ultraviolet rays are some of the main risk factors.
Which Strategies Can Help Decrease Construction Workers’ Cancer Risk?
Construction labor carries an increased risk of cancer, although it may be reduced with the application of preventative and mitigation methods. A few examples of such strategies are outlined below:
- Eliminating asbestos as little as possible by leaving undamaged things in place
- Installing local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems at the workplace will protect employees from hazardous substances, remove pollutants from the work area, and capture contaminants at their source.
- Wet suppression is a process that involves the control of dust particles using water and a chemical surfactant or binding substance in the form of a mist, spray, or fog to help protect workers.
