Workplace Health and Safety in the Construction and Construction Trades Sector of Alberta: An Analysis of Injury Claims and COVID-19 Incidence Rates
摘要
Construction-related businesses within the province of Alberta, Canada, are economically hurdled by the changing workplace policies and economic effects brought by the efforts in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes in workplace policies aim to reduce the spread and exposure of the airborne virus leading to a reduction in labor exposure hours since the emergence of the pandemic in 2020. However, it is uncertain whether the adjusted count of claims related to workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the construction sector was significantly reduced despite the decreased labor exposure hours. The compounded risks of uncontrolled construction hazards and COVID-19 exposure have adverse effects on the following levels: (1) Alberta’s economy due to the total amount of claims expenditure; (2) financial burden on construction-related businesses due to lost productivity and costs associated with hiring and replacement of an injured worker; and (3) the societal level where workers and their families suffer lost wages due to disabling injuries. The present study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on health and safety claims within the Construction and Construction Trades Sector of Alberta. Moreover, the main sources for incidents are re-examined while analyzing which demographic group is exposed to greater risks. This is analyzed by aggregating the prevalence claims’ rate (non-COVID claims) with incidence rate claims (claims due to COVID-19) from the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta dataset. The study aims to provide evidence-based insights that will guide investment decisions, prevention efforts, and proactive programs in reducing workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.