Assessment of Heat Stress Impacts on Construction Workers: A South African Exploratory Study

Abstract

The impact that heat stress has to the construction field is an ever-evolving topic as its also impacted by the change in climate. The South African climate temperatures escalated dramatically in the previous years leading to heat stress warning from the weather services towards the construction working conditions. The working conditions associated with heat stress may work against the foremen or anyone that spends most of their times not protecting themselves against the fast-changing temperatures in the construction sites resulting in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, heat cramps and heat rush. However, due to a low number of deaths on the construction site compared to the mining field, it has been taken not so much as a risk unless there is a heat wave warning. The aim of the research is to theoretically assess the impact that heat stress has to the construction field and the change in weather temperatures over the years. The study will contribute to the growing body of knowledge on heat stress and it impact in the construction industry.