Construction Workers, Health Risk Behaviors And COVID-19
A three-year study shows 6 health risk behaviors that are more common among construction workers.
Originally published by the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the Powell Law Group ran across research the CDC recently shared that made us think about many of our clients.
Of the 6 common health risk behaviors that construction workers across 32 states were proven to be more likely to have, smoking is the one that really caught our attention.
6 Common Behavior Risks Common Across Construction Workers in 32 States:
Smoking
Smokeless tobacco use
Binge drinking
No leisure-time physical activity
Not always using a seatbelt
We were pleased to see that construction workers seem to be getting seven or more hours of sleep a day compared to the general workforce, on the plus side.
But with physically demanding jobs and many construction workers being exposed to chemicals and workplace hazards, there is no question that many people lean on smoking cigarettes as a cost effective stress management option.
With COVID-19 directly impacting the lungs, smoking ups your chances at being for risk:
Smoking any kind of tobacco reduces lung capacity and increases the risk of many respiratory infections and can increase the severity of respiratory diseases. COVID-19 is an infectious disease that primarily attacks the lungs. Smoking impairs lung function making it harder for the body to fight off coronaviruses and other respiratory diseases. Available research suggests that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 outcomes and death. - World Health Organization
While falls remain the most common cause of work-related deaths and traumatic brain injuries in construction, the research emphasizes targeted interventions and health programs can help.
During this unprecedented time of disease across the nation, and with many states categorizing construction as an industry that can continue working, even while other industries are in mandatory shutdown, we want all the construction workers out there to be extra cautious.
Wearing a mask while near coworkers or indoors is a smart first step.
Watch the World Health Organization’s video about proper mask wearing.