Masonry Dust Risk Control Practices and the Barriers to the Adoption of Engineering Controls in Reducing Risk due to Dust Exposure in Masonry Work

• Published in: IOP conference series. Materials Science and Engineering 2021-11, Vol.1200 (1), p.12026
• Main Authors: Abas, N H, Mad Ali, M, Abas, N A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Construction industry; Contractors; Dust; Engineering; Exposure; Masonry; Masonry construction; Occupational health; Occupational safety; Risk management; Silicon dioxide; Working conditions
• ISSN: 1757-8981; 1757-899X
• DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/1200/1/012026

The construction industry is known to be among the most vulnerable industries in terms of occupational safety and health. One of the riskiest activities in construction involves masonry, which reports several cases involving occupational health diseases due to the exposure to silica dust. Thus, this study aims to investigate the perception toward health risks due to exposure to dust in masonry work. A survey research method was adopted for this study, which involved the participation of 25 active construction contractors in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. The findings reveal that respiratory problems and health diseases are the most perceived risks associated to dust exposure in masonry work. There are various barriers to the adoption of engineering control in masonry work such as high costs, lack of awareness of dust hazards, and workers’ attitudes. The current practical intervention methods used by contractor firms are respiratory protection, wet method, and sweeping compound. This study provides information on the current masonry work environment and the barriers of the adoption of engineering control technologies. Additionally, this study suggests that the key players in the construction industry should take an active part to increase the implementation of engineering controls in a construction project, and not rely solely on the use of PPE.