A STUDY PATTERN OF CONSTRUCTION OCCUPATION DISEASE AND NATIONALITY OF THE WORKERS

Abstract

The construction industry is vital to the development of any nation, as it strongly contributes to the economic growth of a nation. As such there is a need for the industry stakeholders to comply with necessary law and regulations as relating to safety and health of workers. The construction workers occupation has been recognized as the most dangerous in term of accidents and fatality rates. Construction workers are obliged to work in a poor physical environment, tolerating extreme outdoor temperatures, poor air quality, excessive noise from bulky equipment, various hazards from working at height, poor housekeeping, and exposure to chemicals, and additional factors. Prolonged work under such adverse physical conditions induces stress in construction workers, such as emotional and physical fatigues. In most construction sites, poor safety awareness, lack of skills, unclear safety responsibilities, boring and simple safety activities or education, etc., are major factors affecting workers' performances at construction sites. The construction sector remains unattractive to the young Malaysian due to low level of wages, even for skilled workers. Most Malaysian workers prefer white collar jobs as against working in construction site due to hard work under the sun associated with the job. The danger posed to personal safety by construction work is one of the reasons why Malaysian is unwilling to take up carrier in it. Construction workers play a vital role to the development of any nation through accomplishment of the project construction. All these supporting evidence reflects on the needs to study the pattern of construction occupational diseases and nationality of the workers. The study is criteria based study located in Klang Valley which is an area in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs, and adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor. Twenty – four (24) construction companies were selected for the study that meets the research criteria. Descriptive statistic is used in studying the pattern of the construction occupational disease and the nationality of the construction workers accidents. The descriptive statistic were presented according to the construction occupational disease and the nationality of the construction workers accidents and presented in percentage of its total. Malaysia construction industry is a foreign construction workers dominated sector. In Malaysia, noise induced hearing loss is the leading occupational disease. A good safety practiced can reduced accidents rate at the construction site and local Malaysian workers will be more interested to work in the construction sector. Effective safety management can lead to safer system of construction and reduce the incidence of injuries and work related diseases.