WHAT CAN LEAD EXPOSURE AT CONSTRUCTION SITES DO TO YOU?
When you work in construction, there can be many potential hazards at your worksite. For one, there can be a range of harmful substances at construction sites. Some sites may have lead present. Construction is one of the fields where it is still not uncommon for workers to be working around lead.
It is important for construction companies to let their workers know when they will be working around lead and to take safety measures to reduce the risks of their workers facing lead exposure. Lead exposure can trigger a range of problems for construction workers.
When Long-Term Exposure Occurs
If you have been exposed to lead for a considerable amount of time as a construction worker, you could be experiencing some very significant threats to your health. Examples of things that long-term lead exposure can subject individuals to include:
Depression
Distractedness
Constipation
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Fertility problem risks
Kidney disease risks
Heart disease risks
High blood pressure risks
Short-Term Exposure Also Carries Risks
However, a person doesn’t need to have faced exposure over a long period to experience negative health effects. Short-term exposure can have consequences as well. Among the things workers may experience as a result of this include:
Headaches
Memory loss
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Tingling in the hands
Tingling in the feet
Responding to Workplace Lead Exposure
Now, the symptoms of lead exposure can take a while to become apparent. If you suspect that you have been harmed as a result of long-term or short-term lead exposure at construction sites, it can be important to promptly speak to a doctor about it. This could help put you on the path to treatment if harm has in fact occurred.
When harmful lead exposure has happened, it can also be important to look into legal matters, such as the possibility of pursuing a workers’ comp claim.