Work Stress Induced Chronic Diseases In Construction

This book aims to fill a gap in the current construction health and safety research and discover new knowledge about work stress induced chronic diseases among construction industry professionals. In achieving these aims, the book investigates: the nature and extent of psychosocial stressors experienced by construction professionals, stress management tactics applied and the impact on mental health the prevalence and occurrence patterns of serious chronic conditions such as insomnia, obesity, musculoskeletal disorders and vision impairment aetiological pathways from job stressors through chronic diseases to job performance. While there are many studies, policies and regulations aiming to look after the health of construction workers, little attention is paid to construction professionals. By applying advanced analytical methods to data collected in a national survey of construction professionals in Australia, the author presents new scientific evidence which can be used to help establish equitable workers' compensation treatments and outcomes for construction professionals in line with other professions. Moreover, the research and analysis are underpinned by theories and literature from public health and epidemiological disciplines in addition to literature from construction, and work health, safety and wellbeing domains. It is essential reading for any health policy makers and researchers in the fields of health and safety and construction management.

This book aims to fill a gap in the current construction health and safety research and discover new knowledge about work stress induced chronic diseases among construction industry professionals. In achieving these aims, the book investigates: the nature and extent of psychosocial stressors experienced by construction professionals, stress management tactics applied and the impact on mental health the prevalence and occurrence patterns of serious chronic conditions such as insomnia, obesity, musculoskeletal disorders and vision impairment aetiological pathways from job stressors through chronic diseases to job performance. While there are many studies, policies and regulations aiming to look after the health of construction workers, little attention is paid to construction professionals. By applying advanced analytical methods to data collected in a national survey of construction professionals in Australia, the author presents new scientific evidence which can be used to help establish equitable workers' compensation treatments and outcomes for construction professionals in line with other professions. Moreover, the research and analysis are underpinned by theories and literature from public health and epidemiological disciplines in addition to literature from construction, and work health, safety and wellbeing domains. It is essential reading for any health policy makers and researchers in the fields of health and safety and construction management.

Around 175 million working days were lost to illness in 2006. Some 7 per cent of the working population is workless and receiving benefits because of long-term health conditions or disabilities. This represents a significant cost to the economy - in cost of benefits, healthcare, forgone taxes, lost production, sickness absence, informal care - estimated at between £103 and £129 billion. The review's vision for health and work in Britain is based on three principal objectives: prevention of illness and promotion of health and well-being; early intervention for those who develop a health condition; an improvement in the health of those out of work. The review establishes the first baseline for the health of the working population. It then examines the role of the workplace in health and well-being. Work is good for both physical and mental health (Waddell & Burton, 2006, "Is work good for your health and well-being?" TSO, ISBN 9780117036949). Employers, trade unions, employees, safety and health practitioners should all promote the benefits of investment in health and well-being. The review calls of a fundamental shift in the perception of fitness for work, to move away from it being inappropriate to be at work if not 100 per cent fit. Early intervention can prevent short-tem sickness becoming more serious, and pilot trials of a new Fit for Work service are proposed. More health support for workless people on incapacity benefits is recommended. Professional expertise for working age health is needed, and occupational health should be in the mainstream of healthcare provision. To safeguard the future health of the working population, young people should understand the benefits of a life in work. The review closes with proposals for taking the agenda forward.

This book aims to conceptualise the implementation of building information modelling (BIM) in the workplace health and safety (WHS) management of construction projects to reduce occupational accidents. The safety performance of the construction industry has always been a concern across the globe, and this devastating reputation has drawn the concern of many nations. The potential functions of BIM can drastically alter the WHS practices of the construction industry. BIM facilitates WHS information exchange and management and supports better collaboration and project planning through virtual visualisation of the construction WHS management process. Despite an increasing interest in BIM, a successful mechanism for employing BIM in construction WHS management is absent. Therefore, this book aims to fill this dearth by presenting a model for the integration of such innovative interventions with the current industry practices in a practical manner through the proper identification of effective areas and evaluation of their impacts on the key criteria of construction projects and organisations. This approach will foster the implementation of BIM in the current state of WHS management in the industry and can potentially reduce occupational accidents on construction sites. This book is essential reading for researchers and professionals interested in how BIM technology can improve health and safety on construction projects. It is intended for engineers, project managers, construction managers, safety officers and safety managers.

This edited book presents a significant and timely contribution to our understanding of a broad range of issues pertaining to COVID-19 and its relationship to occupational safety, health and well-being (OSHW) in the global construction industry. The editors first introduce the industry and its poor OSHW history before highlighting some of the broader impacts of the pandemic on the sector. The book is then divided into two sections. Section One focuses on the management of COVID-19 transmission risk. It captures insights, practices, technologies and lessons learned in relation to what has and is being done to prevent or mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission among the construction workforce. Construction Safety, Health and Well-being in the COVID-19 Era also details case studies, lessons and best practices for managing sites and workforces when infections inevitably do occur. Section Two brings together international chapters discussing the impacts of COVID-19 on the OSHW of the construction workforce both on and off-site, as well as the management of those impacts. Furthermore, this presents implications of the pandemic (at the short-, medium-, and long-term) for other performance measures of construction projects such as cost, schedule, quality and, most importantly, how the pursuit/non-pursuit of such performance measures have impacted/will impact the OSHW of construction workers and professionals in the industry. This book addresses the gap in literature by offering global perspectives on the OSHW impacts and implications of COVID-19 in the construction industry and will help its wide readership (including construction industry organisations, professionals, researchers, government bodies/policy makers and students) to understand a broad suite of issues pertaining to COVID-19 and its relationship to OSHW in construction.

This book highlights the latest trends and advances in applications of digital technologies in construction engineering and management. A collection of chapters is presented, explicating how advanced technological solutions can innovatively address challenges and improve outcomes in the construction industry. Promising technologies that are highlighted include digital twins, virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, and distributed ledger technologies. The first section presents recent applications of extended reality technologies for construction education and advanced project control. The subsequent chapters explore Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and BIM-enabled digitalization in construction through a series of case studies, reviews, and technical studies. Innovative technologies and digitalized solutions are proposed for improved design, planning, training, monitoring, inspection, and operations management in Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) contexts. In addition to the technological perspectives and insights presented, pressing issues such as decarbonization, safety, and sustainability in the built environment are also discussed. This book provides foundational knowledge and in-depth technical studies on emerging technologies for students, academics, and industry practitioners. The research demonstrates how the effective use of new technologies can enhance work methods, transform organizational structures, and bring profound advantages to construction project participants.

Intended as a resource for those who have responsibilities to safeguard workers' health and safety, especially in developing countries. Covers the fields of toxicology, occupational hygiene, occupational cancer, occupational diseases of agricultural workers, occupational safety, psycho- social problems and institutions and organizations active in the field of occupational health and safety.