Occupational Health of Women Construction Workers in the Unorganised Sector

Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess the occupational health status of women workers in the construction industry by evaluating incidences of occupational health disorders. One thousand and fifty-two workers were selected by stratified random sampling, medically examined and subject to relevant interviews, examinations and investigations. Over three-fourths of the women and almost all men reported working for 10 to 12 hours daily. A majority of the women reported headaches and backaches, as well as pain in the limbs. Fifty-six per cent of women and 16 per cent of men reported injuries resulting in work loss. They had no social security or other workers’ benefits. Most women and men said that they would prefer to do some other work. Respiratory, eye and skin disorders and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) were found to be prevalent amongst workers exposed to hazards like dust, noise, heat and cold, non-ionising radiation, and exposure to dry cement, glass and adhesives, tar and paint. About 76 per cent women reported gender-specific work stress factors, such as sex discrimination, and balancing work and family demands, above and beyond the impact of general job stressors such as job overload and skill underutilisation. Discriminatory barriers to financial and career advancement were found to be linked to recurrent physical and psychological symptoms and more frequent visits to the doctor among women workers.