Workers' medication as occupational risk at construction site with formworks.

BACKGROUND: Accidents in the construction sector are a cause for concern. The influence of many different factors in construction accidents have been studied (age, company size, length of service, deviation, drugs or alcohol consumption, etc.) but the influence of medicinal substances in specific construction activities has not been evaluated until now.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the research presented here is to identify the effect of different medicinal substances on the occupational risk levels of construction activities with formworks.

METHODS: An expert panel was selected in order to quantify the individual risk of each medication for each individual construction activity.

RESULTS: Results showed that narcotics, antipsychotics, and hypnotics had the highest risk values, and the use of cranes and cutting materials were considered the most dangerous activities for a medicated worker.

CONCLUSIONS: Data obtained in this research can help reduce the negative effects of the substances studied on the occupational safety of construction workers. A better knowledge of the risk levels according to the current capabilities of workers under the effects of medication is a powerful tool in planning safer construction activities.