Promoting Health in the Construction Industry?

Pritchard, Catherine; McCarthy, Ann Marie

doi:10.1097/00043764-200206000-00016

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Males and young people have been identified in other contexts as tending towards reporting lower risk appraisals and higher coping appraisals 15,16) . Furthermore, young people are more likely than older adults to value the perceived short-term benefits of sun tanning and hold misconceptions about personal resilience to sundamage 13) . Studies of sun-protection behaviors in other populations have found evidence of optimistic bias when assessing the personal risks associated with excess sun exposure.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

“…In addition to demographic factors, such as age group, gender and ethnicity, other personal and workplace factors are likely to contribute to outdoor workers' perceptions of workplace sun-exposure and perceptions of risk of developing skin cancer 12,13) . Workplace cultures and sun protection policies are likely to play a role in shaping risk perceptions and sun protection use 13) . To this end, the study addressed the following objectives to assess: (1) factors associated with outdoor workers' (a) appraisals of their personal risk of developing skin cancer; (b) use of sunscreen; and 2) the effects of socio-demographic variables (gender, ethnicity, age, education) in order to inform the design and targeting of possible interventions.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Outdoor Workers' Perceptions of the Risks of Excess Sun‐Exposure

McCool

Reeder

Robinson

et al. 2009

Journal of Occupational Health

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To describe the pattern of associations with sunscreen use of sun protection attitudes and knowledge in a large sample of New Zealand outdoor workers. We also examined the relationship between perceived skin type and perceived risk of developing skin cancer. Methods: Outdoor workers from nine occupational groups (n=1,131) completed a questionnaire, which included measures of skin cancer related risk perceptions, knowledge and sunscreen use. Results: Sunscreen use was associated with perceived prioritization of sunprotection, concern about sun-exposure, knowledge about the effects of sun-exposure and perceived supportive workplace culture. These variables accounted for 37% of the variation in sunscreen use. Maori, younger workers and forestry workers least likely to report sunscreen use and sun-exposure risk perception. Conclusions: Interventions that strengthen knowledge about risks and values of sun protection are likely to increase sun protection efforts. However, interventions for outdoor workers need to take into account potential socio-demographic, personal and workplace influences are required to prevent the risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancers within this population group.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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Outdoor Workers' Perceptions of the Risks of Excess Sun‐Exposure

McCool

Reeder

Robinson

et al. 2009

Journal of Occupational Health

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“…This 'critical mass' of smokers as a group, may become strongly resistant to antismoking measures, regardless of their benefits for any one individual. Previous research among construction workers in the US for example 84) , has suggested that there may be a low level of health promotion policy development with regard to smoking. As support will clearly be needed 'at the coal face', an expanded role for labor unions in the development of more healthy lifestyle practices for their constituents, would be a step in the right direction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tobacco Smoking by Occupation in Australia and the United States: A Review of National Surveys Conducted between 1970 and 2005

Smith

2008

Ind Health

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Tobacco use represents a key issue in workplace health, and much can be learned from countries where occupational smoking data has been regularly collected on a national basis. This article reviews national smoking surveys previously conducted in Australia and the United States between 1970 and 2005, and examines their relevance to the field of occupational tobacco control. When the first preliminary research was undertaken over 35 years ago, tobacco smoking was a regular feature in the general population of both countries, albeit with higher rates often documented among blue collar workers. Recent national investigations however, suggest that certain historical differences in smoking prevalence rates by occupation are persisting as we enter the 21st century. Detailed examination also indicates that employee sub-groups, such as cleaners and construction workers, are now bearing much of the occupational smoking burden in Australia and the United States. As such, there is an urgent need for more aggressive and finely targeted tobacco control activities in the workplace, as well as increased cooperation between tobacco control organizations, labor unions and other stakeholders, so that they may more effectively combat this ongoing threat to workers' health.Key words: Smoking, Occupation, Tobacco, Australia, United States, Survey, Epidemiology decrease absenteeism and increase productivity among staff 17) .Even so, one of the major historical conundrums in occupational tobacco control is the fact that smoking rates are not evenly distributed across all job categories 18) . Indeed, during recent years, growing disparities in tobacco consumption have become increasingly apparent across many occupational subgroups 19) . Although community smoking rates are declining in many countries, certain occupational groups, such as blue-collar workers, still continue to use tobacco at high rates when compared to their white collar counterparts 19) . Unfortunately, many of the impressive reductions in community smoking rates achieved last century have largely bypassed the blue collar workforce. Given the fact that the workplace represents an ideal location for anti-smoking programs among staff [15][16][17] , occupational smoking studies have an important role in identifying exactly which workplaces would most benefit from tobacco control interventions. In order to most effectively distribute and target preventive health care efforts at a national level therefore, accurate and upto-date information on national tobacco smoking rates by job category are essential.From an epidemiological perspective, there is also the critical issue of statistical confounding in occupational mortality studies, given the fact that tobacco plays such a major role in the development of many chronic workplace diseases. Smoking and occupation are known to be substantially confounded 20,21) , and a lack of accurate data may lead to biased assessments of the relationship between disease and occupational exposures 22) , particularly when the occupat...

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“…[33][34][35] The interviewees commented on the smoking and alcohol restrictions on sites, which confirms the findings by Pritchard and McCarthy. 36 The issues brought up during the discussions related to the manager's role and problems with adhering to the restrictions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building for health? The construction managers of tomorrow

Pritchard

2004

Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health

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Attitudes to health and health promotion have an impact on health-related behaviour. This is important when considering the different settings where health promotion can take place. The workplace is increasingly becoming recognised as an important setting for health promotion. Research has formerly concentrated on workplaces that are static, i.e. on one site; however, the greater challenge lies in the industries that have transient populations, such as the construction industry. High levels of accidents and ill health have long been synonymous with the construction industry and yet there has been limited research carried out into attitudes to health and the extent of health promotion activities within the industry. The aim of this research was to investigate the attitudes, beliefs and knowledge to health and health promotion of final year students who will graduate to work as construction managers. The students that participated in the study had had the experience of both university and a year-long placement within the industry. The method used for data collection was semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Students from the BSc (Hons) Building and Construction Management courses were invited for interviews and a response rate of 85% was achieved. Results revealed that the students were aware of factors that influenced health, but tended to focus on health-related behaviours. This attitude influenced the measures they suggested to promote health in the workplace. The students' knowledge of health within the construction industry was disappointing. Work experience in the industry had exposed them to various sources of health information, but little action was taken to involve employees and structural issues Limited the effectiveness of this information. Policy development in the construction industry appeared to rely on disciplinary procedures with an emphasis being placed on employees signing declarations after receiving the information. The conclusion of this research was that attitudes to health are dominated by the structures within the organisation, with those paid on an hourly basis being less likely to participate in workplace health promotion. The information provided to site workers is limited in its approach and application. The impact of employment structure and the work environment presents a challenge to promoting health in this environment.

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Promoting Health in the Construction Industry?

Cited by 10 publications

References 18 publications

Outdoor Workers' Perceptions of the Risks of Excess Sun‐Exposure

Outdoor Workers' Perceptions of the Risks of Excess Sun‐Exposure

Tobacco Smoking by Occupation in Australia and the United States: A Review of National Surveys Conducted between 1970 and 2005

Building for health? The construction managers of tomorrow

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