Employing around 2.5 million people and accounting for almost five per cent of overall gross value added in 2013, the construction industry is considered a key sector in Germany. For employees, work in construction professions is still characterised by high stresses. Compared to other sectors, therefore, the construction industry has to deal with a considerably higher number of accidents at work and occupational diseases. Many people working in construction are forced to give up their job as a result of illness before reaching retirement age. Under which conditions do employees in the construction sector work and what about their health status? This factsheet provides the answers.