Introduction
Construction workers are routinely exposed to a wide variety of health and safety hazards on job sites. Understanding these hazards is essential to preventing accidents, injuries, and long-term health effects.
Worker with facial injuries from chemical exposure
Failure to properly handle or identify hazardous materials can lead to serious consequences, including chemical burns, respiratory illnesses, and even fires or explosions.
While this course does not cover every health hazard found in the construction industry, it focuses on some of the most common chemical and physical hazards workers are likely to encounter.
Health Hazards
Hazardous chemicals can cause both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) health effects. These effects may range from mild irritation to life-threatening diseases, depending on the type and level of exposure.
Common examples of health hazards include:
- Carcinogens – substances that can cause cancer.
- Toxic agents – chemicals that can harm organs or bodily functions.
- Irritants – substances that cause inflammation or discomfort to the skin, eyes, or respiratory tract.
- Corrosives – materials that destroy tissue on contact.
- Sensitizers – substances that can trigger allergic reactions after repeated exposure.
Physical Hazards
Physical hazards are chemical properties that can cause injuries or accidents due to their reactive or combustible nature.
Examples include:
- Combustible liquids – materials that can ignite at relatively low temperatures.
- Compressed gases – gases stored under pressure that can explode if released improperly.
- Explosives – substances that can cause rapid chemical reactions resulting in violent energy release.
- Flammables – materials that easily catch fire.
- Organic peroxides – unstable compounds that can ignite or detonate when exposed to heat or friction.
- Oxidizers – chemicals that intensify fires or explosions by supplying oxygen.
- Unstable (reactive) agents – substances that can undergo dangerous reactions under certain conditions