Many employees file personal injury claims in Scotland not because of a single accident, but due to the effects of working in a hazardous environment. Dangerous chemicals, loud noises, repetitive motions, and even the air you breathe at work can cause injury through repeated exposure. If your employer did not take preventative steps to avoid illness or injury, you may be able to claim compensation.
Common Types of Industrial Diseases on Construction Sites in Scotland
Due to the heavy manual labor they perform, construction employees are at high risk of suffering physical trauma and degenerative conditions from repetitive strain injury (RSI). The frequent use of vibrating power tools can cause vibration white finger (VWF) as well as hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), preventing an employee from performing construction work in the future.
Workplace exposure may also cause construction workers to suffer:
- Skin and eye conditions. Exposure to hazardous substances, such as paints, fumes, solvents, or chemicals, can result in short- or long-term health conditions. Irreversible damage may be caused by one-off exposure (such as chemicals in the eyes causing blindness) or cause irritation over a long period of time (such as skin contact resulting in dermatitis).
- Respiratory diseases. Breathing problems are one of the most common conditions reported by UK workers to the Health & Safety Executive. An uncontrolled work environment can cause chronic breathing conditions such as asthma or bronchitis, or lead to the development of lung cancer, silicosis, or mesothelioma.
- Hearing loss. Repeated exposure to high noise levels can cause a variety of hearing conditions, such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and partial or total deafness. Your employer should take precautions to protect you and your fellow workers from hearing damage due to power tools, heavy machinery, and other loud noises on a building site by issuing ear protection and ensuring workers are given breaks to reduce prolonged exposure to loud noise.
If you think your workplace has affected your health, we can determine whether your condition could have been caused or made worse by your occupation. Call us today or fill out our enquiry form to set up your no-obligation conversation with a member of our legal team.