The best way to avoid health risks in most workplaces is to take the time to understand where the risks are for yourself and your workers. Construction is one of the UK’s largest industries, but the health risks faced by its workforce can often be just as significant. From exposure to hazardous materials to the physical demands of the work to the impacts on mental health, many aspects of the construction industry require adequate healthcare services.
Here, we discuss the potential occupational health risks in construction and how both workers and employers can protect the current and future health and wellbeing of construction workers. Explore the key occupational health risks in construction and the practical steps that you can take to manage them and protect health
What is occupational health?
Occupational health is a form of healthcare that specialises in promoting and maintaining the highest state of physical, mental and social wellbeing, health and safety of workers in all occupations. The core objectives of occupational health include:
- The maintenance and promotion of workers’ health
- The improvement of working conditions
- The development of work organisation and working cultures through managerial systems and policy
What are the risks to occupational health & safety in construction?
While construction is one of the largest industries in the UK, it is also one of the most impactful on workers’ health. In fact, in 2024, it was estimated that 37.9% of construction workers self-reported ill health related to their work environment or demands.
Some of the health risks for construction workers include:
Respiratory health:
One of the most common health concerns for construction workers is respiratory conditions caused by their work environments. These health risks can cause significant damage to the lungs, airways or throat. There are several sources of respiratory risks for construction workers, including:
- Vapours: Gases and vapours from adhesives, paint, machinery, or other solvents can cause respiratory damage.
- Dust: Dust is commonplace in almost all construction environments. From demolition, cutting, grinding, drilling or movement of materials around the site, breathing in these airborne particles can have a detrimental impact on lung health.
- Fumes: There are several toxic fumes that construction workers can be exposed to, causing some serious respiratory illnesses like lung disease, as well as other physical symptoms, such as dizziness, headaches and nausea.
2024 research by the Health and Safety Executive has found that 12,000 deaths from lung diseases can be linked to previous exposure to vapours, dust inhalation or fumes in the workplace
Cancer risk
The construction industry has one of the highest rates of occupational cancer diagnosis in the UK. In 2019, it was found that over 40% of occupational cancer diagnoses and deaths were found in the construction industry. These worrying statistics can be connected to the increased exposure to certain carcinogens, including asbestos, silica, diesel exhaust emissions, and some paints.
Musculoskeletal health
Musculoskeletal health refers to the overall pain-free movement and health of your bones, joints, muscles and connective tissue. Health risks in these areas are common in construction. In fact, research in 2018 found musculoskeletal injuries cost construction employers over £642 billion each year (accounting for 76% of all construction occupational health costs). These can be caused by heavy lifting, posture, and repetitive and prolonged movement. All of these can increase the risk of injury or pain for those working in construction fields.
Common musculoskeletal health conditions that are often triggered in the construction industry include:
- Shoulder tendinitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Slipped disks
- Sciatica
Auditory health
Many construction environments expose workers to persistently high noise levels, which can have a detrimental impact on auditory health. This is why The Control of Noise in Construction (2005) legislation sets a series of strict regulations on the level of noise and the protections employers must put in place to prevent severe hearing damage.
Regular hearing tests are another important way to encourage construction workers to take ownership of their own auditory health. They play a role in helping to identify risks and catch damage early. Health cash plans are one way to make auditory healthcare accessible, empowering employees to take control of managing their long-term hearing health.
Skin health
Skin health risks are a significant concern for construction workers who experience regular exposure to cement, solvents, adhesives, and oils, which can cause irritation, dermatitis, chemical burns or other varying degrees of allergic reactions.
Outdoor construction workers may also experience an increased health risk from exposure to UV radiation, which can cause sun damage, burns and increased risks of skin cancer over time. These skin health risks are another reason why employers should further consider skin health within their occupational health strategy, providing appropriate protective equipment, support and information to help workers.
Mental health
When we discuss occupational health risks in the construction industry, our first thoughts come to how we can prevent physical health risks and injuries. The emphasis on physical health protection is understandable, but it is far from the whole picture. Construction workers can face a range of mental health concerns, caused by factors such as stress, anxiety, isolation, or low mood.
In 2025, the Chartered Institute of Building released a report that 80% of construction workers had felt stressed, 68% had experienced anxiety, and 38% had experienced depression at some point across the year. This research uncovered a worrying trend of mental health risks in the construction industry. Therefore, supporting workers in taking a proactive approach to their mental health is instrumental in developing a healthy and productive workplace culture.
Why does prevention matter beyond HSE compliance?
In many working environments, occupational health is a legal responsibility for employers. However, employee health through preventative measures should be about much more than legal compliance.
Employers in the construction industry are responsible for mitigating many risks that can cause long-term health damage or injury. For example, regular exposure to high levels of dust, noise, vibration and heavy machinery can become very physically demanding, having consequences on the team members’ immediate and future health. This is why, by identifying risks early and encouraging employees to take action routinely, employers can prevent health concerns from becoming more disruptive or harmful.
Preventative health in construction can also form an important part of a wider approach to managing absenteeism and sickness. Giving employees access to healthcare and support can make it easier to address health concerns sooner, helping them to maintain their health and wellbeing at work. When employees have greater support to look after their health, employers can build a workplace where health is considered holistically alongside productivity and safety on site.
Health benefits for construction workers: How Evolve can support construction employers
A healthy and safe workforce starts with empowering your team with the right controls and measures over their own health and safety. Health benefits for your construction workers can help take action when health concerns arise, or catch issues before they become a larger problem. This is where the Evolve Health Cash Plan can provide a strong foundation for a wider occupational health strategy.
The Evolve Health Cash Plan has been designed to give workers across hundreds of industries access to healthcare benefits up to set limits. These healthcare benefits can play a vital role in protecting and supporting the health and wellness of your construction workforce.
Employers can choose the benefits that are most relevant to their workforce, allowing you to choose benefits that are specifically chosen to match the health risks associated with working in construction, including:
- Routine optical
- Therapy treatments
- Chiropody
- Specialist Consultation and Diagnostics
- Cancer risk assessment & screening *
- Neurodiversity support *
- Care advice *
- 24/7 GP advice line
Evolve Health Cash Plans should sit alongside effective risk assessments, workplace controls and surveillance as part of a broader employee health strategy. We give employers another way to support their team’s health and productivity, building a flexible healthcare package around your people.
So, if you are in the construction industry, it may be time to consider the long-term health of your workers with healthcare benefits for construction workers. Discover how Evolve Health Cash Plans could support your employees and build a more holistic approach to workplace health.
* Available for accounts with more than 50 employees only