Assessment of mortality in the construction industry in the United States, 1984–1986

Abstract

Construction, one of the larger industries in the United States, employs 7.6 million workers, many in skilled trades occupations. Previously published data about potential worksite exposures and mortality of construction site workers are limited. We analyzed occupation and industry codes on death certificates from 19 U.S. states to evaluate mortality risks among men and women usually employed in construction occupations. Proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) for cancer and several other chronic diseases were significantly elevated among 61,682 white male construction workers who died between 1984 and 1986. Men younger than age 65, who were probably still employed immediately prior to death, had significantly elevated PMRs for cancer, asbestos-related diseases, mental disorders, alcohol-related disease, digestive diseases, falls, poisonings, traumatic fatalities that are usually work-related, and homicides. Elevated PMRs for many of the same causes were observed to a lesser degree for black men and white women whose usual industry was construction. In addition, women experienced excess cancer of the connective tissue and suicide mortality. Various skilled construction trades had elevated PMRs for specific sites, such as bone cancer and melanoma in brickmasons, stomach cancer in roofers and brickmasons, kidney and bone cancer in concrete/terrazzo finishers, nasal cancer in plumbers, pulmonary tuberculosis in laborers, scrotal cancer and aplastic anemia in electricians, acute myeloid leukemia in boilermakers, rectal cancer and multiple sclerosis in electrical power installers, and lung cancer in structural metal workers. Using a standard population of blue collar workers did not result in fewer elevated PMRs for construction workers. Despite lifestyle differences and other limitations of the study, the large numbers of excess deaths observed in this study indicate the need for preventive action for construction workers.

Construction Equipment and Motor Vehicle Related Injuries on Construction Sites in Turkey

“…The analyses of occupational fatalities in construction have focused on general causes [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] , specific external causes, for example machinery 13) , trench cave-ins 14) , hand tools 15) , falls [16][17][18] , electrocutions 19,20) and specific occupations, such as labourers 21,22) , painters 23) and only focused on pedestrian fatalities 24) . Although occupational injuries caused by motor vehicles have been researched including cost of casualties 25) and focused on roadway construction work zones 26) , detailed research in construction industry are few 27) .…”

Occupational exposures and head and neck cancers among Swedish construction workers

“…Workers in the construction industry have been reported to have elevated rates of head and neck cancers in several studies (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19), although not in all investigations (20, Purdue et al 21). However, this epidemiologic evidence is generally limited by the absence of information on possibly confounding exposures.…”

Job Segregation and Gender: Characterization of the Psychiatric Morbility Recorded at a Hospital in Mexico City (1993-1995)

“…Por su parte, los varones de esta población se insertaron en ocupaciones consideradas masculinas: oficios, obreros, administración y contabilidad, transporte, supervisión, profesionales por cuenta propia, seguridad y construcción; por considerarse que están de acuerdo a los atributos de la masculinidad: fuerza física, objetividad, independencia, seguridad, dominio, decisión, habilidades mecánicas y planeación 35,36 . Cuando se analizan estas ocupaciones se encuentra una asociación con el consumo de drogas (dependencia de drogas, psicosis alcohólica y dependencia al alcohol) que es similar a la que se encuentra cuando sólo se asocian con el sexo masculino comparado con el femenino; aunque este patrón es similar al encontrado por otros 13,[15][16][17][18] , hay estudios que además reportan mayores tasas de suicidio y homicidio en varones 37 .…”

“…Caraveo 5 encontró que las mujeres presentan mayor comorbilidad y depresión; Medina-Mora 3 reportó que la depresión mayor y la neurosis predominan en mujeres; Rascón 4 encontró que la depresión mayor, la depresión neurótica y el trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo fueron más frecuentes en mujeres (19,5% mujeres y 14,3% hombres); un análisis regional de América reportó más psicosis afectivas en mujeres 13 ; además presentan mayor hospitalización por intento suicida 14 . Por otra parte, los trastornos más severos son más frecuentes en varones; predominando los relacionados con el alcohol 15 y drogas ilegales 13,16,17 ; en Suecia se encontraron tasas más altas en varones de esquizofrenia y abuso de sustancias, mientras que las neurosis fueron más frecuentes en mujeres 18 ; en el Reino Unido (1961-1965 y 1985-1994) se observó una disminución general de suicidio, pero el descenso fue menor en varones, esta diferencia se relacionó con el mayor uso de métodos menos violentos en mujeres 19 , hecho que hay que ponderar con la mayor frecuencia de suicidio en varones por el uso de métodos más letales 14 . Sobre la relación entre género y trabajo se ha encontrado que taquilleras de la Cd.…”