Staying Healthy on the Construction Site | Wright Brothers Construction
No matter what your job is, you’ll be at your most productive when you’re at your healthiest.
That’s why our team at Wright Brothers Construction is committed to helping our employees maintain good health. Let’s take a look at some common medical issues that construction workers face—and how to overcome them.
Health Issues Common Among Construction Workers
In some cases, the occupation we choose can put us at a higher risk of developing certain medical conditions. While the conditions below aren’t caused by working on construction sites, they are common among construction workers.
Many construction workers smoke or use other nicotine-based products. Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death among Americans—and a major risk factor for many different diseases.
Cigarette smoking can put construction workers at an increased risk of developing chronic lung disease and multiple types of cancer, including lung cancer.
When you’re working on a construction site, you need your lung capacity to be at its best. If you smoke, quitting smoking is the best decision you can make. The positive effects of quitting begin almost immediately and continue for decades.
Construction workers are also at an increased risk of obesity. Obesity puts a person at an increased risk of many health conditions, including diabetes, stroke and heart disease, among others.
The rate of obesity among adults is growing, and research has found about two out of three construction workers is either obese or overweight.
If you’re overweight or obese, take steps to improve your health—eat a balanced diet in moderate portions, limit your alcohol consumption, get plenty of quality sleep and exercise regularly.
Being overweight or obese makes it more likely for you to have high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol, both of which are risk factors for other health conditions.
If your numbers were high the last time you visited the doctor, it’s important to take action to move those numbers in a positive direction.
Your diet can play a huge role when trying to get your numbers to a healthy level. Take action in the foods you choose by:
- Selecting healthier fats
- Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids
- Increasing your fiber intake
- Limiting sodium and sugar intake
At Wright Brothers Construction, we strive to keep our employees as healthy as can be. Yearly wellness exams and smoking cessation assistance are just two of the tools we provide for our employees.