Over 150 construction industry executives have pledged to take action to try and significantly reduce the number of industrial illnesses affecting workers in construction in the UK.
According to statistics, respiratory diseases and industrial illnesses kill 100 times more workers than workplace accidents with such conditions being common in later life. Exposure to dangerous substances, working with chemicals and being exposed to old materials such as asbestos when knocking down buildings are all common causes of industrial diseases and respiratory illnesses for construction workers.
While 2014/15 saw many serious injuries in the construction industry and 35 fatalities, it is estimated that in the same period more than 4,000 workers died from cancer and other industrial illnesses due to exposure to dangerous substances and chemicals when previously working in the construction industry. The vast majority of the cases were a result of respiratory illnesses and lung cancer, which was responsible for around 50% of all deaths. It is expected that each year, a further 3,000 construction workers are exposed to dangerous chemicals that can lead to severe health problems in later life.