Masons spend their day pouring concrete for roads, building sidewalks, building retaining walls, and creating floors and stairs. They usually pour one to two cubic yards of concrete per hour.
Because they are required to work long hours and deal with concrete’s heat and humidity, masons sometimes develop breathing problems like asthma. Pouring concrete can also cause the men to inhale dust, and cement fumes may aggravate their breathing.
In addition, the high level of noise exposure increases the risk of hearing damage. Exposure to other types of construction dust and fumes may also contribute to respiratory illness and lung disease. Most construction workers experience eye, skin, and upper respiratory irritation and Concrete contractor some develop allergies.
Some health conditions are common among masons and other construction workers, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, musculoskeletal disorders, and back and knee injuries. Masons are also susceptible to falls during the workday. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends wearing safety boots that protect feet and knees when they are exposed to falling objects.
Masons must wear the proper protective clothing and equipment in order to avoid getting injured. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports that workers at construction sites are at higher risk for falls than are workers in other industries.
