Developing an integrated preventive framework for construction workers exposed to silica dust and chemical irritants in Zambia.
type: CreativeWork
description: Construction industry is key to the world economies in both developed and developing nations. However, construction works could bring hazards such as silica dust and chemical irritants to site personnel. Silica dust and chemical irritants are produced from activities such as demolition, drilling, concrete mixing, brick and concrete block cutting, sawing, tile cutting, painting and grading. Silica dust can cause respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal disease, lung cancer and silicosis. Chemicals can cause skin diseases such as dermatitis and eczema. The effects of respiratory and skin diseases are devastating to the workers and in turn affect the cost of projects in terms of medical bills and lost man-hours. The strategies planned by Zambia in its quest to be a middle-income country by 2030 has resulted in an increase in construction projects. There is a high likelihood of an increase in the generation of dust and possible exposure to silica dust and chemical irritants. Several studies have shown a high silica dust and chemical irritant levels and high prevalence of symptoms of respiratory and skin diseases. Nevertheless, construction players are hesitant to adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Laws. Also, it is not known whether silica dust levels experienced by Zambian construction workers were above 0.05mg/m3.Therefore, the staple silica dust and chemical irritant hazards have to be mitigated. The aim of this study was to establish a preventive framework that promotes reduction of exposure to silica dust and chemical irritants. The Case Study- Mixed Method design involving a road construction and a building projects was used. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used simultaneously. Bricklayers, carpenters, batchers, tilers, demolition workers, painters, road construction workers and handymen were purposively sampled. The sample size was established at 10% of the estimated population of 1, 012. A questionnaire survey was…
abstract: Construction industry is key to the world economies in both developed and developing nations. However, construction works could bring hazards such as silica dust and chemical irritants to site personnel. Silica dust and chemical irritants are produced from activities such as demolition, drilling, concrete mixing, brick and concrete block cutting, sawing, tile cutting, painting and grading. Silica dust can cause respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal disease, lung cancer and silicosis. Chemicals can cause skin diseases such as dermatitis and eczema. The effects of respiratory and skin diseases are devastating to the workers and in turn affect the cost of projects in terms of medical bills and lost man-hours. The strategies planned by Zambia in its quest to be a middle-income country by 2030 has resulted in an increase in construction projects. There is a high likelihood of an increase in the generation of dust and possible exposure to silica dust and chemical irritants. Several studies have shown a high silica dust and chemical irritant levels and high prevalence of symptoms of respiratory and skin diseases. Nevertheless, construction players are hesitant to adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Laws. Also, it is not known whether silica dust levels experienced by Zambian construction workers were above 0.05mg/m3.Therefore, the staple silica dust and chemical irritant hazards have to be mitigated. The aim of this study was to establish a preventive framework that promotes reduction of exposure to silica dust and chemical irritants. The Case Study- Mixed Method design involving a road construction and a building projects was used. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used simultaneously. Bricklayers, carpenters, batchers, tilers, demolition workers, painters, road construction workers and handymen were purposively sampled. The sample size was established at 10% of the estimated population of 1, 012. A questionnaire survey was…
author: Tente, Prisca
language: en
date published: 2023
date modified: 2026-07-27T22:06:42Z
provider: University of Zimbabwe
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: The University of Zambia