title: Health status assessment of workers during construction phase of highway rehabilitation projects around lahore, Pakistan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study focused on assessment of the health status of workers during construction phase of highway rehabilitation projects at six selected sites of N5 around Lahore, including Kala Shah Kaku, Muridke, Kamuki, Bhaipheru, Pattoki, and Okara.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was based on multi-methods approach involving hazard identification through survey and checklist as well as a questionnaire for health status assessment and measurements of health parameters including peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and audiometric screening of 300 subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study revealed non-congenial working conditions at the sites. Noise, vibrations, dust, asphalt fumes, poor work postures, and injuries were found to be major health hazards. PEFR of most of the workers was found to be significantly lower than the reference value. Average PEFR±SEM values were 187±5.1 l/min, 178±4.3 l/min, and 266±5.3 l/min in ground preparation workers, asphalt workers, and heavy vehicle drivers, respectively. The highest rate (29%) of hearing loss was recorded among heavy vehicle drivers. Musculoskeletal problems were found to be more common among ground preparation workers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data revealed unsatisfactory health status of most of the workers. Direct relationship between health outcomes and the type of construction activities were observed. The current study focuses on the importance of including occupational health and safety plan in the execution phase of every developmental project that involves construction activities.
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Environmental Science, Lahore College for Women University.
authors.forename: Amina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abrar
authors.forename: Kausar Jamal
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Cheema
authors.forename: Samia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saif
authors.forename: Asim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahmood
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D001299:Audiometry; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D060389:Construction Industry; D006304:Health Status; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational