Inequalities in the Uptake of Occupational Health Services in the Construction Sector

Recent report reveals that significant occupational health
inequalities exist in the construction sector. The report suggests that on average, unskilled construction workers with low income have less access to occupational health services in the workplace and most likely to be victims of severe occupational ill-health on the long run when compared to other industries. Research regarding inequality, access, and uptake of occupational health services in the construction sector vis-à-vis workplace health improvement governance is scarce. To create awareness of inequalities, access, and uptake of occupational health improvement measures in the construction sector. What are the likely material factors required to improve access and uptake of occupational health services in the construction workplace? The study adopted pragmatic research philosophy, that involves mixed research methods including archive data, observational, interventional, and phenomenological research strategy. The study used stratified and purposive sampling techniques, with data collected from an array of professionals and occupational health diagnoses data from three medical centres in England. From the study suggests that on average construction and infrastructure, workers have less access to occupational health intervention compared to safety practices activities in a ratio of 1:18. Other findings indicate that 78% of occupational ill-health are linked to construction and infrastructure workers from poor/deprived background, low income earners, or migrants. The findings are clear pointer to glaring occupational health uptake inequality in the construction sector.