COMMON WORK-RELATED DISEASES AMONG CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

AUTHOR(S) / АУТОР(И): Ivan SPIROSKI, Rositsa MARKOVA, Marina SAMUNEVA-ZHELYABOVA

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DOI: 10.46793/HSE25.167S

ABSTRACT / САЖЕТАК:

The construction industry is one of the most dangerous sectors of economy. According to the International Labor Organization up to 60 000 fatal work injuries occur annually on construction sites all over the world. The main adverse factors affecting the construction workers are increased levels of noise and vibration, dust and fumes in the air in the working area, unfavorable microclimatic conditions, chemical factors, as well as the severity and intensity of the labor process. These factors are related to many diseases among workers.

Material and methods:

The study was conducted among about 500 workers in the construction sector for a 3year period – from January 2021 to December 2024 in Bulgaria. The sex of all employees is male. The results of the study are presented using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test.

Results:

The results from the annual health exams show that the most common group of diseases among the workers are cardiovascular diseases, followed by endocrine system disease. The most common diseases are arterial hypertension and diabetes type 2. Among common diseases are the musculoskeletal disorders like: herniated discs, discopathy at different levels of the spine and, radiculitis. The results from the annual sick leave analysis show that the most common group of diseases among the workers by frequency are respiratory system diseases about 120 cases per year, musculoskeletal disease about 90 cases per year, some infectious and parasitic diseases about 80 cases per year. By severity of cases, the results show loss of sick days: about 1300 days of musculoskeletal diseases, followed by 1050 days of respiratory disease and 1040 days of cardiovascular diseases.  The disease which is most common among the workers is intervertebral discs impairment at lumbar and in other parts of the spine with radiculopathies – about 30 cases per year and with about 1300 days of sick leaves. There are between 5-10 work related severe accidents per year.

Conclusion:

As a result of all risk factors among the construction workers it is clearly indicated that there is a high frequency of disease rate. The frequency of the cases with temporary disability is not a very high level but the frequency of the labor lost days, the average duration of one case and relative share of frequent and long-term people with illness are high. All of these results show that attention should be paid to these workers aimed for lightened work conditions and reduce the rates of work -related disabilities and work -related accidents.

KEYWORDS / КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ:

construction workers, work-related diseases, work-related accidents, work-related hazards

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