ABSTRACT
Although many of the health hazards associated with general industry are the same as those found in construction, there are unique differences that are addressed in this chapter. As noted in previous chapters, the constant changing of the workplace where each work day is different from the next leads to hazard exposure problems that are constantly changing as well (see Figure 9.1). Workers in the construction industry are exposed to a wide range of chemical and biological hazards that lead to numerous diseases, cancers, and/or disorders. These health hazards come in all forms — dusts, mists, vapors, gasses — and enter the body by inhalation, ingestion, and absorption. Studying body systems to understand the physical and chemical origin and development is called physiology. Every conceivable physical hazard is found in construction.
