Occupational Health Risks and Health-Care Burden Among Informal Construction Workers in Wayanad District, Kerala

Abstract

The construction sector is one of the most labour-intensive yet hazardous segments of the informal economy. Workers are exposed to multiple occupational risks, including work at height, heavy manual labour, dust and cement exposure, unsafe machinery, heat stress, dehydration, and musculoskeletal strain. This study examines occupational health risks and the associated health-care burden among informal construction workers in Kerala using primary data from 243 workers across various occupational categories. The findings reveal that occupational health outcomes are shaped not only by working hours but also by exposure conditions, safety practices, and access to basic amenities such as drinking water and health insurance. Approximately one-fourth of workers reported work-related injuries within the past year, while protective equipment usage remains irregular. Heat stress and dehydration emerge as critical concerns, compounded by inadequate access to safe drinking water. The study highlights that health-care burden extends beyond treatment expenditure to include substantial wage loss, particularly among daily wage workers. The paper argues for a comprehensive occupational health framework integrating preventive safety measures, worksite welfare facilities, insurance coverage, and income protection mechanisms.