QUEENSLAND Premier Anna Bligh says a new taskforce will tackle health problems in the construction industry, after a report revealed serious health problems in builders.
The report followed the Construction WorkHealth Initiative Pilot study of over 1,000 Brisbane and Gold Coast construction workers between September 2008 and February 2009.
According to the Premier, many builders have been lulled into a false sense of security about their health, owing to the hard physical jobs they have.
The Construction WorkHealth Initiative Pilot study found workers in the construction industry drink, smoke and eat too much, and do not exercise enough. 66% of Queensland’s construction workers are overweight or obese compared with the Queensland average for 61% for the general population.
Around 64% of builders drink alcohol at risky or high risk levels compared to 13% for the general population and 17% had at risk cholesterol levels.
One in five of the workers who received skin cancer screenings had suspected skin damage and needed immediate specialist attention while one third (37%) of workers who took part in the study had ‘at risk’ blood pressure levels.
In 2008, the Queensland government launched its ‘Toward Q2 Tomorrows Queensland’ plan, hoping to cut obesity, smoking, heavy drink and unsafe sun exposure by one third by 2020.
The Premier says the Construction WorkHealth Initiative Pilot study has been reviewed by cabinet, with plans for a new taskforce consisting of Government, union and employer groups.
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