Construction workers are dying at up to twice the rate of other workers from lung diseases—a tragic reminder of the need to identify and prevent hazardous workplace exposures.  
 
Researchers from the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analysed cause of death data from the 2021–2022 National (U.S.) Vital Statistics System to uncover the links between working in construction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) deaths. 
 
This study, published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine in August 2025, found construction workers face a 30 per cent excess risk of dying from COPD compared to those employed in all other industries. Equally troubling, those working in specific trades such as roofers, drywallers, tile installers, painters, paper hangers, pipelayers, plasterers, stucco masons, and insulators were twice as likely to die from COPD.


While smoking is the major cause of this incurable disease, it is estimated between 25 and 45 per cent of people with COPD never smoked emphasizing the need to focus prevention efforts beyond just smoking cessation. This must include workplace exposure to airborne respiratory hazards including vapours, gases, dust, and fumes. This NIOSH research cites a range of specific hazards likely responsible for the excess risk faced by construction workers including silica, asbestos, welding and asphalt fumes, diesel engine exhaust, wood dust, and second-hand smoke.

Canadian research adds a gender lens

A similar study published by the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) in 2024 found elevated risks of developing COPD in males and females in the construction sector. They also found elevated risks in many other sectors such as transport/equipment operating, farming, forestry, mining, machining, fabricating, and processing (involving manual tasks such as material handling and packaging), janitorial and cleaning work. These Canadian researchers also cited many of the same respiratory health hazards as the NIOSH researchers while adding a few including pesticides, solvents, disinfectants, biological aerosols, airborne endotoxins, farm dust and cotton dust.  

Also of note were findings of gender disparity showing elevated risks of COPD for female workers in certain occupations such as food preparation, textile processing, commercial cleaning services, chefs, cooks and bartenders, along with healthcare support roles. These occupations frequently involve exposure to cleaning chemicals, textile dust, biological aerosols, and fine particulate matter—each a significant contributor to the respiratory disease burden.

Prevention is the only cure

COPD is a progressive lung disease that results in swelling inside the airways that limit airflow into and out of the lungs. Symptoms can include coughing and mucus production, breathing difficulties, wheezing, and chest tightness. As this respiratory disease progresses, people find it more difficult to carry out normal daily activities. For many, it proves fatal. According to the Canadian Lung Association, COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is the fourth leading killer of Canadians.

While COPD is not curable, symptoms, and overall quality of life can improve if causal exposures are eliminated and medical treatment and rehabilitation are sought. The NIOSH researchers spoke specifically to these points and emphasized workplace efforts must follow the well-established hierarchy of controls beginning with the elimination of hazardous exposures, with personal protective equipment the last line of defense.

WHSC training…your next step towards healthier work

Access to quality training can help equip all workplace parties—employers, supervisors, joint health and safety committees (JHSC), worker health and safety reps (HSRs), worker trades committees and workers—with the knowledge and tools to pursue prevention.
 
Insist on quality training. Insist on WHSC, Ontario’s only government-designated health and safety training centre. JHSC Certification, HSR and supervisor training, along with GHS WHMIS can help. So too can a range of hazard-specific training programs.

Access related resources
COPD mortality among workers in the construction industry, by occupation: USA, 2021–2022
Risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a large cohort of Ontario, Canada workers
Lung disease in nurses linked to disinfectant use at work

Need other essential and legally mandated training such as working at heights and equipment operator training? WHSC can help. 

WHSC also offers a wide range First Aid training courses. To help workplaces meet requirements for this life-saving training, scheduled and in-house First Aid training is available at a 30 per cent discount when booked before December 19. 

Need more information?
Contact a WHSC Training Services Representative in your area.
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