Working and living conditions of construction workers : Comparison between large and small construction sites in Northeastern Thailand

• Published in: Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 46 - 53
• Main Authors: THINKHAMROP, B, CHIRAWATKUL, A, DOBSON, A, CHIRAWATKUL, S, PRAB-NA-SAK, B, KAMPOR, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bangkok Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, Regional Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network 01-03-1997
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Construction Materials - adverse effects; Cross-Sectional Studies; Developing Countries; Environment. Living conditions; Female; Health Status Indicators; Housing. Living conditions; Humans; Life Style; Male; Mass Screening; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - etiology; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Pilot Projects; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Risk Factors; Safety; Sampling Studies; Sanitation; Social Environment; Thailand - epidemiology; Tropical medicine; Thailand; Asia; Condition; Human; Buildings; Daily living; Socioeconomic study; Worker; Working condition; Public health; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0125-1562

This study examined differences in working and living conditions of construction workers in large and small construction sites in Northeastern Thailand. Data were collected by questionnaires, through observation and interviewing. A total of 812 construction workers from 20 large sites and 24 small sites were studied. Working and living conditions among the construction workers were generally poor. However, they were better at the large sites than the small ones. The data suggest an urgent need to improve sanitation and safety conditions on the construction sites and camp sites, including personal protective devices and improved welfare for the workers and their families.