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Mobile Worker Management
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Journey Management
Our Journey Management solution provides centralised visibility of your mobile workers, automated emergency escalations and helps reduce the number of accidents, injuries and delays among mobile workers.

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Journey Management Guide
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Lone Worker Management
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Lone Worker Management
Our Lone Worker solution provides complete visibility no matter where your workers are, effective communication with periodic check-ins and a fast and reliable emergency escalation process.
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EHS Management
Incident Reporting
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EHS Management
Our Incident Reporting solution helps you prevent workplace injuries by capturing crucial details, assigning corrective actions, and safety trend analysis with data-driven insights.

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Hazard Identification
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Hazard Identification
With our Hazard Identification solution, you can capture, prioritize and control workplace hazards. Unlike paper-based solutions, anyone can report a hazard while working out in the field. The report is done quickly and from any mobile or web-based device.
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Hazard Identification Guide
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Safety Observations
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Safety Observations Guide
Our safety observation solution offers real-time communication, ensuring swift action on safety concerns. It streamlines and improves employee safety, empowering safety managers to proactively mitigate risks and drive a safer work environment.
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Audits and Inspections
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Audits and Inspections Guide
With our Audits & Inspections solution, you can schedule and assign standardized Audits & Inspections. Allocate corrective actions and track the progress of remediation efforts.
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Fatigue Management
Alertness Tracking
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Fatigue Management
Our proactive Fatigue Management solution uses a game-like quiz to identify when your people are struggling with alertness, a leading indicator of fatigue.
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Training
Training Tracker
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Training Tracker
Our Training Tracking solution simplifies the complexities of safety training scheduling. Build out training curriculums by site, role or project and rely on automated training reminders and renewals.
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Journey Management
Our Journey Management solution provides centralised visibility of your mobile workers, automated emergency escalations and helps reduce the number of accidents, injuries and delays among mobile workers.
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Our Solutions
Industries we serve
All Industries
Mining, Oil and Gas
How It Works
Ensure your mining operations meet the highest standards of safety and compliance with SafetyIQ. Our proactive safety management is specifically configured to manage all elements of Work Health and Safety that are unique to the Mining Industry.
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Manufacturing
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Ou safety software empowers the manufacturing industry to create safer, healthier, and more productive workspaces. We help you to truly become the guardian of your workforce's safety, protecting the backbone of your organization from the risks that could grind your progress to a halt.
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Construction and Engineering
How It Works
Our safety management solution was built manage all elements of Work Health and Safety that are unique to the Construction Industry including safety processes for workers that travel or work alone, with a comprehensive EHS Management tool.
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Construction and Engineering Safety Guide
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Transport and Logistics
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We help Transport and Logistics companies to streamline incident reporting, real-time monitoring of drivers, enhance compliance management, and enable data-driven decision-making. Experience a safer and more efficient operation with SafetyIQ.
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Health and Community Services
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We help Health and Community Services Organisations meet the highest standards of safety and compliance. Our Safety management platform is specifically configured to manage all elements of Work Health and Safety that are unique to the Health and Community Services Industry.
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How we help
Ensure your mining operations meet the highest standards of safety and compliance with SafetyIQ. Our proactive safety management is specifically configured to manage all elements of Work Health and Safety that are unique to the Mining Industry.
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Our Platform
How It Works
Journey Management
Our Journey Management solution provides centralised visibility of your mobile workers, automated emergency escalations and helps reduce the number of accidents, injuries and delays among mobile workers.
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Resources
Journey Management Guide
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How It Works
Lone Worker Safety
Our Lone Worker solution provides complete visibility no matter where your workers are, effective communication with periodic check-ins and a fast and reliable emergency escalation process.
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Lone Worker Management Guide
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Incident Management
Our Incident Management solution helps you prevent workplace injuries by capturing crucial details, assigning corrective actions, and safety trend analysis with data-driven insights.

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Incident Reporting Guide
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Hazard Identification
With our Hazard Identification solution, you can capture, prioritize and control workplace hazards. Unlike paper-based solutions, anyone can report a hazard while working out in the field. The report is done quickly and from any mobile or web-based device.
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Resources
Hazard Identification Guide
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Safety Observations
Our Safety Observation solution offers real-time communication, ensuring swift action on safety concerns. It streamlines and improves employee safety, empowering safety managers to proactively mitigate risks and drive a safer work environment.
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Safety Observations Guide
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Audits and Inspections
With our Audits and Inspections solution, you can schedule and assign standardized Audits and Inspections. Allocate corrective actions and track the progress of remediation efforts.
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Audits and Inspections Guide
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Alertness Tracking
Our proactive Alertness Tracking Solution uses a game-like quiz to identify when your people are struggling with alertness, a leading indicator of fatigue and impairment.
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Fatigue Management Guide
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Predictive Roster Analysis
Our Predictive Roster Analysis Solution notifies you if individuals are at risk of fatigue, with enough time to intervene. 
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Fatigue Management Guide
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Fatigue Management
Our proactive Fatigue Management solution uses a game-like quiz to identify when your people are struggling with alertness, a leading indicator of fatigue.
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Fatigue Management Guide
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Mining, Oil and Gas
Ensure your mining operations meet the highest standards of safety and compliance with SafetyIQ. Our proactive safety management is specifically configured to manage all elements of Workplace Health and Safety that are unique to the Mining Industry.
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Mining, Oil and Gas Safety Guide
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Manufacturing
Our safety software empowers the manufacturing industry to create safer, healthier, and more productive workspaces. We help you to truly become the guardian of your workforce's safety, protecting the backbone of your organization from the risks that could grind your progress to a halt.
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Manufacturing Safety Guide
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Construction and Engineering
Our safety management solution was built to manage all elements of Workplace Health and Safety that are unique to the Construction Industry including safety processes for workers that travel or work alone, with a comprehensive Safety Management Platform.
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Construction and Engineering Safety Guide
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Transport and Logistics
We help Transport and Logistics companies to streamline incident reporting, real-time monitoring of drivers, enhance compliance management, and enable data-driven decision-making. Experience a safer and more efficient operation with SafetyIQ.
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Transport and Logistics Safety Guide
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Health and Community Services
We help Health and Community Services Organisations meet the highest standards of safety and compliance. Our Safety management platform is specifically configured to manage all elements of Workplace Health and Safety that are unique to the Health and Community Services Industry.
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Health and Community Services Safety Guide
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ResourcesPricing

The Top 3 Occupational Diseases in the Construction Industry and How to Mitigate Them

Occupational diseases are health conditions or disorders, including occupational injuries, resulting from exposure to risk factors arising from work activity. These diseases represent a wide spectrum of health disorders that can be caused by chemical, physical, or biological agents, ergonomic, and psychosocial risks. They are the silent killers that claim thousands of lives every year, often going undiagnosed or unnoticed until it's too late.

The construction industry, one of the cornerstones of our economy and infrastructure, is unfortunately, not exempt from occupational diseases. In fact, due to its nature, which involves heavy manual labor, exposure to hazardous substances, and challenging work environments, it's often at the forefront when we talk about work-related illnesses. Understanding and studying occupational diseases within the construction industry is of paramount importance, not only for safeguarding the health and well-being of the workers but also for ensuring the sustainability and productivity of the industry itself.

In this context, we're about to delve into the top three occupational diseases that have been identified as prevalent within the construction industry. These include 

  1. Silicosis, a lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust; 
  2. Asbestosis, another lung condition attributed to asbestos exposure; and
  3. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), which are conditions causing discomfort or harm to human body structures such as muscles, joints, ligaments, and nerves.

These occupational diseases, while posing significant threats, can be managed and mitigated through proactive measures, which we will explore in the following sections. Our journey into this often overlooked aspect of occupational health begins here, in the hope that it leads to enhanced safety standards, improved working conditions, and healthier lives for those who build our homes, our offices, and our cities.

Disease #1: Silicosis

Definition: Silicosis is a chronic lung disease caused by the inhalation of fine particles of silica dust, usually over a period of many years. Silica is a common mineral found in many types of rocks and soil, and the dust is produced in many industrial and construction activities.

Causes: Workers are exposed to silica dust during activities such as drilling, cutting, chipping, or grinding silica-containing materials like concrete, masonry, tile, and rock. This exposure, especially when it is recurrent and without proper protection, leads to the inhalation of these fine particles that damage lung tissues, causing inflammation and scarring, which results in the condition known as silicosis.

Symptoms: Symptoms of silicosis may not appear until many years after exposure and they can include cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, weight loss, and in severe cases, respiratory failure.

Treatment options: Unfortunately, there's no cure for silicosis once it develops, as the lung damage is permanent. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing further complications, such as lung infections and respiratory failure. This could involve using medicines to thin mucus or reduce inflammation, or even oxygen therapy in severe cases.

Prevalence in the Construction Industry

The construction industry is particularly vulnerable to silicosis due to the frequent use of silica-containing materials. Workers involved in tasks such as sandblasting, rock drilling, concrete mixing, and bricklaying are at a high risk. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 2 million construction workers in the United States are exposed to respirable crystalline silica in their workplaces.

Preventative Measures and Ways to Mitigate Risks

Prevention is the most effective way to combat silicosis. Employers should adopt a series of measures including:

  • Substitution: Using safer alternatives to silica where possible.
  • Engineering controls: This includes using tools equipped with dust collection systems, wet cutting methods, and proper ventilation.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Workers should be provided with and correctly use appropriate respirators when other controls cannot keep silica exposures below the permissible limits.
  • Training and Education: Workers should be made aware of the risks associated with silica exposure, how to recognize tasks that may expose them to silica, and how to use control measures and protective equipment properly.
  • Medical Surveillance: Regular health check-ups to monitor workers’ lung health and early detection of any signs of the disease.

Remember, silicosis is a preventable disease and it's the shared responsibility of employers, safety officials, and workers to ensure that these safety measures are in place and strictly adhered to.

Disease #2: Asbestosis

Definition: Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. These microscopic fibers can become lodged within lung tissue, causing inflammation and scarring, which leads to the stiffening of the lungs, thereby reducing their ability to function properly.

Causes: Asbestosis is caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction materials for its heat resistance, strength, and insulating properties. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged, they can release fibers into the air, which can be inhaled if proper safety measures are not in place.

Symptoms: Asbestosis symptoms typically don't appear until many years after initial exposure. They can include continuous cough and shortness of breath. 

Treatment options: While there's no cure for asbestosis, treatments can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. These may include pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, or in severe cases, lung transplantation. Medications to thin mucus and ease breathing may also be prescribed.

Prevalence in the Construction Industry

Asbestos was widely used in construction materials until the late 20th century, so workers involved in the renovation or demolition of older buildings are at high risk of exposure. Despite many countries banning or restricting the use of asbestos, millions of tons of it still remain in buildings around the world, posing a significant risk to construction workers.

Preventative Measures and Ways to Mitigate Risks

Asbestos-related occupational diseases are preventable with appropriate safety measures. Here are a few key steps to reduce risk:

  • Identification and Assessment: Before starting work, assess if asbestos-containing materials are present in the work area. Only trained professionals should handle asbestos.
  • Control Measures: If the presence of asbestos is confirmed, a range of control measures should be implemented. This might include encapsulating the asbestos, using wet methods to suppress dust, and using local exhaust ventilation.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Workers should be provided with and correctly use suitable respiratory protective equipment and clothing.
  • Training: Workers should be trained about the dangers of asbestos, how to identify it, and what procedures to follow if they encounter it.
  • Health Surveillance: Regular health checks should be carried out to detect early signs of disease.
  • Safe Work Practices: Establishing and enforcing safe work practices, such as avoiding eating or drinking in asbestos-contaminated areas and following proper decontamination procedures.

Disease #3: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

Definition: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are conditions causing discomfort or harm to human body structures such as muscles, joints, ligaments, and nerves. These occupational diseases can involve persistent pain, decreased functional capacity, and reduced quality of life.

Causes: MSDs in the construction industry are often caused by the physical demands of the job. These can include heavy lifting, repetitive motions, overexertion, awkward postures, or vibration from power tools.

Symptoms: Symptoms can vary depending on the specific MSD but may include pain, fatigue, decreased range of motion, decreased strength, and swelling in the affected area.

Treatment options: Treatment will depend on the specific disorder but generally includes a combination of rest, physical therapy, pain management (through medications or other techniques), and in some cases, surgery.

Prevalence in the Construction Industry

The physical nature of work in the construction industry places workers at a high risk of developing these occupational diseases. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, MSDs accounted for 33% of all worker injury and illness cases in 2013, and construction workers are disproportionately affected due to the physical nature of their work.

Preventative Measures and Ways to Mitigate Risks

Preventing MSDs in the construction industry involves both individual and organizational efforts:

  • Ergonomics: Implementing ergonomic solutions in the workplace, such as using equipment that reduces the need for heavy lifting or repetitive movements.
  • Training: Educating workers on the risks of MSDs, safe work practices, and the importance of early symptom reporting.
  • Job Design: Altering the way a job is performed to reduce physical strain, such as rotating workers through different jobs to avoid repetitive strain.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Providing appropriate PPE, like supportive back belts for lifting or knee pads for jobs that require kneeling.
  • Fitness and Wellness Programs: Encouraging regular physical activity, proper nutrition, and adequate rest and recovery can help improve overall musculoskeletal health.
  • Health Surveillance: Regular health checks to detect early signs of MSDs and intervene before they become more severe.

If you would like to learn more about improving safety for the Construction Industry, take a look at our comprehensive guide:

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