Safety and Health

at work

Construction workers

You work hard to

get ahead, but...

Your health 

is priceless Centers for Disea

and Prevention

National Institute 

Safety and Health

Falls are the most common 

cause of death at work for 

construction workers.

Secure the base of a ladder or ask 

someone to hold it for you while you 

climb it.

Use the correct kind of ladder for 

each job. If you need an extension 

ladder, do not use a step-ladder.

Place the ladder at the correct 

angle. The base of a ladder must be 

separated one foot away from the 

wall for every four feet high.

Use a chain or rope to lift materials 

and tools instead of carrying them 

in your hands while climbing or 

descending a ladder.

On an extension ladder, the ladder 

must extend at least three rails above 

the upper surface that stops it.

Cover the holes in the ceiling with 

a wooden panel that supports the 

weight of a person.
Even things that don’t seem to pose

a risk might hurt workers.
What would you do if you got hurt or sick and you couldn’t 

support your family? Do not risk your safety and health at work.
The dust from common 

construction materials, such 

as drywall (gypsum board) 

and concrete, may contain 

toxic substances that cannot 

be seen, tasted, or smelled.

Wear a respirator so that 

you don’t breathe dust or 

harmful fumes. Your employer 

is responsible for informing 

you of the correct kind of 

respirator for your task and for 

providing you with one.

Wash your hands and face 

before eating or smoking.

Change your clothes before 

you leave work. Store your 

dirty clothes in a bag or 

container with a lid. Store and 

wash your dirty clothes from 

work separated from any other 

clothes.
Electricians are not the only 

ones at risk of electrocution.

Check all extension cables to 

make sure that they are not 

damaged before using them. 

Use a cable with a grounded 

plug. 

Keep cables out of the water, 

even if it’s just a shallow 

puddle.

Make sure that metal ladders 

do not come in contact with 

power cables.
Who can help you?

For accurate information about your employee rights and how to prevent an injury or a sickness at work, 

please visit:

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 

Protect Yourself at Work

cdc.gov/niosh/topics/protejase/

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

osha.gov/workers

1-800-321-6742

Your local or regional U.S. Department of Labor office

dol.gov/dol/location.htm

National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH)

coshnetwork.org

If you have any questions or concerns about your health or safety at work, you can contact a trusted 

person or organization. Other organizations, such as non-profit local organizations, community health 

centers, or legal support organizations, can help you find the information you need. If you are an 

immigrant worker, your consulate may help you. Many Latin American countries have agreements with 

the US Department of Labor to help immigrant workers. 

This document is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted

Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, citations to 

websites external to NIOSH do not constitute NIOSH endorsement of the sponsoring organizations or their 

programs or products. Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of these websites. All web 

addresses referenced in this document were accessible as of the publication date.

Get More Information

Find NIOSH products and get answers to workplace safety and health questions:

1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) | TTY: 1-888-232-6348

cdc.gov/cdc-info | cdc.gov/niosh

NIOSH monthly newsletter: cdc.gov/niosh/eNews

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2023-115.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2023115

March 2023

Get back home safe, sound, and with dignity!