Health Hazards in Construction

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify the construction activities that generate respirable crystalline silica: concrete cutting, masonry drilling, grinding, jackhammering, tuckpointing, and sand blasting, and apply the OSHA 1926.1153 Table 1 specified exposure control methods or develop alternative exposure control plans with exposure monitoring.
• Manage lead exposure during construction activities: paint disturbance during renovation, cutting/welding painted steel, demolition, bridge work, and the compliance requirements under 1926.62 (action level 30 µg/m³, PEL 50 µg/m³, exposure assessment, blood lead monitoring, medical removal).
• Manage asbestos exposure during construction: identifying asbestos-containing materials in pre-1980s buildings, OSHA 1926.1101 classifications (Class I–IV work), competent person requirements, regulated areas, exposure monitoring, and the work practice controls for each classification.
• Implement hearing conservation for construction: identifying noise-generating activities (pneumatic tools, heavy equipment, powder-actuated tools), OSHA 1926.52 PEL (90 dBA TWA), the construction-specific hearing conservation provisions, noise monitoring, and hearing protection selection.
• Prevent heat illness on construction sites: recognising heat-related illness symptoms (cramps, exhaustion, stroke), OSHA’s Heat Emphasis Programme, WBGT measurement and work-rest regimens, acclimatisation protocols for new and returning workers, water-rest-shade requirements, and the emergency response for heat stroke.
• Control welding and cutting fume exposures: metal fume fever (zinc oxide), hexavalent chromium from stainless steel and coated materials (1926.1126), manganese neurotoxicity, ventilation requirements for welding in confined and semi-confined spaces, and respiratory protection selection.
• Manage solvent and coating exposures: identifying solvent-containing products (adhesives, paints, sealants, waterproofing compounds), reading Safety Data Sheets for exposure limits, ventilation requirements, respiratory protection, and the health effects of common construction solvents (toluene, xylene, MEK, isocyanates).
• Prevent cement and concrete dermatitis: the alkaline burn mechanism (wet cement pH 12–13), chromium sensitisation, skin protection (waterproof gloves, barrier creams, immediate washing), and the worker education that prevents the chronic skin disease affecting thousands of concrete workers.
• Control diesel exhaust exposure: identifying enclosed and semi-enclosed construction environments where diesel exhaust accumulates (tunnels, basements, parking structures), ventilation requirements, diesel particulate filters, equipment selection (electric, LPG alternatives), and the cancer classification (IARC Group 1 carcinogen).
• Manage musculoskeletal hazards: manual handling (lifting, carrying construction materials), hand-arm vibration from power tools, whole-body vibration from equipment operation, and the ergonomic controls (mechanical lifting aids, anti-vibration tools, task rotation) that prevent the musculoskeletal disorders affecting the majority of experienced construction workers.

Core Curriculum Topics

• Silica (1926.1153): Table 1, specified controls, alternative plans, monitoring, medical surveillance
• Lead (1926.62): action level, PEL, exposure assessment, blood lead, medical removal
• Asbestos (1926.1101): classifications (Class I–IV), competent person, regulated areas, controls
• Noise and Hearing Conservation: 1926.52, 90 dBA PEL, noise-generating activities, hearing protection
• Heat Illness Prevention: OSHA Heat Programme, WBGT, acclimatisation, water-rest-shade, emergency response
• Welding and Cutting Fumes: hexavalent chromium (1926.1126), manganese, zinc oxide, ventilation, respiratory protection
• Solvents and Coatings: toluene, xylene, MEK, isocyanates, SDS interpretation, ventilation, respiratory protection
• Cement and Concrete Dermatitis: alkaline burn, chromium sensitisation, PPE, washing, worker education
• Diesel Exhaust: IARC Group 1 carcinogen, enclosed spaces, ventilation, DPF, alternative equipment
• Musculoskeletal Hazards: manual handling, HAV, WBV, mechanical aids, anti-vibration tools, rotation
• Biological Hazards: soil pathogens (histoplasma, tetanus), mould in renovation, sewage exposure

• 10-Hour or 30-Hour Construction recommended
• No prior occupational health knowledge required
• No academic degree required
• All instruction in English; working proficiency required

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• Construction safety officers who manage health hazard compliance alongside safety compliance
• Construction supervisors who oversee workers exposed to silica, lead, asbestos, noise, and heat
• Construction workers performing silica-generating tasks (cutting, grinding, drilling concrete/masonry)
• Renovation and demolition workers exposed to lead paint and asbestos in pre-1978 buildings
• Welders and cutting torch operators exposed to metal fumes
• Anyone involved in concrete work (placing, finishing, cutting) exposed to cement dermatitis and silica
• Safety managers developing health hazard control programmes for construction operations

• Health Hazards in Construction — YOU ARE HERE (construction-specific occupational health)
• Introduction to Industrial Hygiene (foundational IH across all industries)
• Renovation and Demolition Safety (lead and asbestos in renovation/demolition context)
• 30-Hour Construction Safety (includes health hazards as one topic among many)
• International Diploma in Construction Safety Management (Unit 5: occupational health in construction at diploma depth)
• International Diploma in Advanced Industrial Hygiene (comprehensive IH across all industries)