The Influence of Temperature Control on Labour Productivity on Masonry Work

Abstract

Purpose: This research focused on the influence of temperature on labour productivity on construction sites. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: A case study of a construction site at Cape Coast Technical University was adopted for the study, the sampling technique was a purposive method and the sample size was 100 which include contractors, site supervisors, masons, concrete operator and general foreman. The body temperatures of the gang were taken and catalogued to see how each worker fared in terms of their temperature throughout the working times and under the influence of the weather as the concrete work and block work were carried out. Labour output for the block work was measured by the area of block work laid per period and the concrete work was also measured. Findings: It can be seen that the mean body temperatures of the workers fluctuated in the day as work progressed. This was attributed to the fact that the sun’s intensity gradually increased overtime peaking at noon throughout the early afternoons. In the first and second hours of work, produced 2.172m3 of concrete each. The third and fourth hours produced 1.689m3 of concrete each and the fifth hour produced 1.44m3 of concrete. Based on the resulting productivity reduced steadily as temperature increases and at a temperature of 37degree Celsius the productivity of the labour output dropped to 1.44 m3. Research Limitation/ Implications: The study focused on the influence of temperature on construction labour productivity of masonry works. Practical Implication: The knowledge advanced in this study will inform construction managers of the factors that significantly influence construction labour productivity of masonry work to temperature. It will assist the construction managers to select a suitable period of the day to carry out the task when the temperature will not harm the construction workers. Social Implication: The knowledge advanced by this study will help policy-makers in the construction industry to review the existing national labour-intensive public works policy which is geared towards helping indigenous firms in improving productivity in the construction industry. Originality/ Value: The novelty of this study also lies in the labour productivity measurements that will guide construction managers to identify periods of the day that will not pose a hazard to the workers when executing their tasks. Keywords: Construction Management: Labour: Masonry: Productivity: Temperature: Ghana.