Type’s of diseases in
construction.
Weil’s disease
This disease is usually carried by animals (commonly rats and cattle). This disease can be caught by
humans through contact with rats or cattle urine. The disease is however commonly spread through
contaminated fresh water.
You can lower the risks of contacting the disease by taking some steps such as covering opened
wounds with waterproof plasters, wearing protective clothing such as gloves and cleaning wounds
obtained in fresh water. The chances of catching this disease in the UK is really low but it’s still
recommended to take protective measures to make sure you don’t catch it to lower the risk further
of you getting the disease.
Some of the symptoms are shown in the photos below.
(further info: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/leptospirosis/)
White Finger
This can also be called Raynaud’s Disease, this can be caused in
construction by tools like drills and chainsaws (stuff which vibrates)
The symptoms are affects of blood circulation, if you’re cold or stressed
your fingers/toes could change colour, some other symptoms can be
pain, numbness and pains and needles, you can prevent it by limiting
the amount of time you’re on vibrating machines.
(Further info: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/raynauds)
Silicosis
This is a long term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of silica dust, this
dust is usually collected in your lungs over many years. The symptoms are a
persistent cough, persistent shortness of breath and weakness and tiredness, if this
condition gets worse the symptoms get worse.
The way to prevent this is by wearing a dust mask when working with materials
which can cause this (stone, rock, sand and clay.)
(Further Info: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/silicosis/)
COPD
This can be caused by long term exposure to harmful substances such
as fumes and dust, this can be prevented by wearing a dust mask to
prevent you directly inhaling the fumes and dust.
The symptoms of this are breathlessness, a persistent cough, frequent
chest infections, persistent wheezing. Other symptoms which are less
common include: weight loss, tiredness, swollen ankles, chest pain and
coughing up blood.
(Further info: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/)
Occupational Cancer
This cancer is caused wholly or partly by exposure to a cancer causing
agent. (such as asbestos or tobacco smoke), the way to prevent this is
to limit your interactions with the cancer causing agent. (these cancers
are usually lung cancers)
Some of the symptoms of cancer are changes in bowel habits, bloating,
bleeding, coughing/chest pain and breathlessness, moles, unexplained
weight loss.
Occupational dermatitis
Occupational dermatitis is caused by substances that come into contact with your
skin at work. (this includes irritant contact and allergic contact dermatitis).
the ways dermatitis happens are wet work, soaps, shampoos and detergents, dusts,
wet cement. (irritant contact)
The ways dermatitis can happen in allergic contact are adhesives and certain wood
dusts (allergic contact)
Some symptoms are redness, scaling/flaking, blistering, cracking and swelling skin
(Further info: https://www.hse.gov.uk/skin/employ/dermatitis.htm)