Occupational Health Practices in South African Construction
摘要
The construction process and its activities expose primarily supervisors and workers to: asbestos, dusts including silica and lead, chemicals, sunlight, diesel engine exhaust emissions; frequent loud noise; frequent or excessive use of vibrating tools; frequent or excessive manual handling of loads, and stress and fatigue. Registered professional construction health and safety agents (CHSAs) were surveyed to determine their OH perceptions. Key findings include: OH can be influenced during the six stages of projects, and 36 aspects/interventions have potential to improve construction OH. It is concluded that all parties can influence OH during the six stages of projects, although to varying degrees, due to differing degrees of participation in the respective stages, and 36 aspects/interventions can improve OH. It is recommended that all parties, clients, construction project managers, H&S practitioners, designers, and contractors, including their managers, supervisors, and workers are educated and/or trained in terms of OH. Therefore, all built environment professionals’ education and construction skills training should address OH.