Abstract
Construction workers are at an elevated risk of heat stress, due to the strenuous nature of the work, high temperature work condition, and a changing climate. An increasing number of workers are at risk, as the industry’s growth has been fueled by high demand and vast numbers of immigrant workers entering into the U.S., the Middle East and Asia to meet the demand. The risk of heat-related illnesses is increased by the fact that little to no regulations are present and/or enforced to protect these workers. This review recognizes the issues by summarizing epidemiological studies both in the U.S. and internationally. These studies have assessed the severity with which construction workers are affected by heat stress, risk factors and co-morbidities associated with heat-related illnesses in the construction industry, vulnerable populations, and efforts in implementing preventive measures.
Highlights
Heat stress poses a substantial risk to construction workers worldwide in a changing climate.Construction workers are vulnerable to heat stress because the majority (e.g., 73% in the U.S.) [1]engage in heavy work outdoors
Previous studies have shown that construction workers in the U.S are 13 times more likely to die from a heat-related illness (HRI) compared to workers in other industries, and within the industry, roofers and road construction workers face a high risk of HRIs [3,4]
Heat stress depends on many variables such as temperature, humidity, wind, clothing, shade, physical activities, and other factors
Summary
Heat stress poses a substantial risk to construction workers worldwide in a changing climate.Construction workers are vulnerable to heat stress because the majority (e.g., 73% in the U.S.) [1]engage in heavy work outdoors. Heat stress poses a substantial risk to construction workers worldwide in a changing climate. Asia, Latin America, and Africa are regularly exposed to extremely high temperatures with long working hours, yet may have limited or no access to shade or water [2]. Projected increases in extreme heat due to changing climate, along with other factors, are expected to increase the vulnerability of construction workers to heat stress [2]. The global construction industry generates 12% of the world’s gross domestic product and is expected to grow rapidly as populations in China, southern Asia, and the U.S continue to expand [5]. As construction workers comprise an increasingly large and critical part of the global economy, special attention needs to be paid to the risks faced by the global construction workforce from occupational heat stress. Greenhouse gas emissions are increasing mainly driven by human activities, and the scientific community has a consensus that climate change is taking place with a general trend of rising temperatures [6]
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