One third of construction workers suffer from occupational health issues related to noise and vibration, according to a recent report on U.K. workers.

The report, by Constructing Better Health, looked at the results of an occupational health scheme pilot carried out from October 2004 to June 2006.

More than 1,700 workers had voluntary health checks, one third of whom were referred to their doctors with occupational and general health issues. The checks showed that one third of workers suffered from occupational health issues rising from exposure to noise and vibration, which can cause hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The report also noted that one third of those checked suffered from general health issues such as high blood pressure and respiratory illness. Workers suffered from either type of problem or both.