{
  "abstract": "Objective Construction work is associated with a range of health and safety issues. Whilst regulators have placed a great deal of attention in this area, there continue to be concerns around musculoskeletal injury, mental health and the risk of respiratory diseases such as silicosis. However, this is a hard-to-reach group of workers. We carried out a feasibility study to assess several aspects of health and investigate recruitment.Material and Methods We developed an on-line questionnaire that was easy to use and asked questions about demographic factors, respiratory health, musculoskeletal pain, hearing, mental health and attendance for health surveillance. The research team attended 5 pre-shift briefings to publicise the research and engage with potential participants.Results In total, 104 workers visited the survey of whom 75 responded. The majority were men with peak age 30-40 years. Average duration in construction was 17 years. 19% reported poor self-rated health. 25% were current smokers and over half had ever smoked regularly. 15% worked > 50 hours/week and almost half worked shifts. 21% commuted more than two hours/day. They reported a wide range of high-risk exposures including dust, diesel, noise and asbestos. Workers had low recognition of health surveillance or its importance. One third reported that their employer was sent their results from health surveillance. Musculoskeletal pain was common as was self-reported hearing loss. 10-20% fulfilled criteria for sever depression according to their screening questionnaires.Conclusion A large-scale study is feasible and will be undertaken, aiming at >1000 workers. Workers are interested in their health but are most interested in being able to work. They have limited knowledge of the risk of their work or the importance of health monitoing/surveillance.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Monash University"
      ],
      "name": "Karen Walker-Bone"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Monash University"
      ],
      "name": "Monica O’Dwyer"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Monash University"
      ],
      "name": "Ryan Hoy"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Monash University"
      ],
      "name": "Deborah Glass"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Monash University"
      ],
      "name": "Natasha Kinsman"
    }
  ],
  "title": "8279517 Health of construction workers in large infrastructure projects, Victoria, Australia: a pilot feasibility study",
  "uid": "abc1a6fc-f2c7-5c3b-8f43-2f1aefc7920a"
}