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Construction Accidents in Spain: Implications for an Aging Workforce
Ignacio Fontaneda1, Miguel A Camino López2, Oscar J González Alcántara1
1Industrial Engineering, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain.
Biomed Research International
|June 13, 2022
Summary
Older construction workers experience fewer accidents but more severe consequences, leading to significantly more lost working days (LWD). This highlights the need for targeted safety measures for aging workforces in construction.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Gerontology in the Workplace
- Construction Industry Analytics
Background:
- The construction workforce is aging globally, with a notable increase in workers over 50 in the EU and Spain.
- Understanding accident patterns among older construction workers is crucial for developing effective safety interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze trends and specific patterns of accidents involving older construction workers in comparison to other age groups.
- To quantify the impact of accidents on lost working days (LWD) across different age demographics in the construction sector.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a large dataset (N=455,491) of construction accidents in Spain from 2011 to 2018.
- Accident data were segmented by age groups and analyzed based on occupation, seniority, company size, temporal factors, accident triggers, and injury types.
Main Results:
- Older workers (over 50) had 84% more lost working days (LWD) than younger workers (<24), with increased accident rates in specific occupations like supervisors and bricklayers.
- Falls (from height and same level) were more prevalent among older workers, particularly during afternoons on Thursdays and Fridays, and after extended work periods.
- Shoulder injuries in older workers resulted in the longest absences, averaging 70 LWD, and accidents were more frequent in smaller companies (<4 workers).
Conclusions:
- While older construction workers may have fewer incidents, the severity of their accidents results in disproportionately longer recovery times and lost working days.
- Findings underscore the necessity for age-specific safety protocols, focusing on fall prevention and addressing the prolonged impact of injuries like shoulder ጉዳት in the aging construction labor force.
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