Respiratory Hazards in the Construction Industry — June 7, 2022
A recent AIHA publication lists respiratory hazards as one of the top four major construction health hazards. While many construction companies do have a respiratory protection program in place, concern for both acute exposure and long-term health effects associated with exposure to respiratory contaminants continues to be a major consideration for many construction companies.
While standard respiratory protection devices are often worn by workers in the construction industry, advanced technologies or additional measures may need to be implemented in order to protect workers from specific contaminants.
This presentation will highlight the key components that should be included in a respiratory protection program, and will discuss:
The commonly encountered respiratory hazards in the construction industry: Silica, Wood dust, Mold and Weld fume.
How to identify each hazard
The potential for workplace exposure
The physical state of the airborne contaminants
The potential long-term health effects of respiratory hazards
The options for source control and for respiratory protection
