Perceived heat stress and health effects on construction workers

Abstract

Introduction:Increasing heat waves-particularly in urban areas where construction is most prevalent, highlight a need for heat exposure assessment of construction workers. This study aims to characterize the effects of heat on construction workers from a site in Gandhinagar.Materials and Methods:This study involved a mixed methods approach consisting of a cross sectional survey with anthropometric measurements (n = 219) and four focus groups with construction workers, as well as environmental measurements of heat stress exposure at a construction site. Survey data was collected in two seasons i.e., summer and winter months, and heat illness and symptoms were compared between the two time periods. Thematic coding of focus group data was used to identify vulnerability factors and coping mechanisms of the workers. Heat stress, recorded using a wet bulb globe temperature monitor, was compared to international safety standards.Results:The survey findings suggest that heat-related symptoms increased in summer; 59% of all reports in summer were positive for symptoms (from Mild to Severe) as compared to 41% in winter. Focus groups revealed four dominant themes: (1) Non-occupational stressors compound work stressors; (2) workers were particularly attuned to the impact of heat on their health; (3) workers were aware of heat-related preventive measures; and (4) few resources were currently available to protect workers from heat stress. Working conditions often exceed international heat stress safety thresholds. Female workers and new employees might be at increased risk of illness or injury.Conclusion:This study suggests significant health impacts on construction workers from heat stress exposure in the workplace, showed that heat stress levels were higher than those prescribed by international standards and highlights the need for revision of work practices, increased protective measures, and possible development of indigenous work safety standards for heat exposure.

Workers' health and productivity under occupational heat strain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…For meta-analyses five and six, GRADE analysis revealed that the true effect is likely to be substantially different from the estimate of effect (very low confidence). Most (68%) 4,6,26,[33][34][35][39][40][41][42][43]45,46,[50][51][52][53][54][55]56,57, of the included studies incorporated low risk for selection bias, with the remaining studies presenting selection bias that was non-applicable (10%), 36, unclear (16%), 37,[47][48][49]118,[127][128][129][130][131][132] or, in some cases, high risk (6%) 5,38,44,133 due to acrossgroup variation in inclusion or exclusion criteria, and across-group differences in participant recruitment or selection. Most (61%) of the included studies incorporated low risk for confounding factors bias, with the remaining studies presenting confounding factor bias that was unclear (16%) 6 ,26,36,38,60,62,63,67,80,84,85,92,98-100,102,105,107-111,113,114,134-136 or high risk (23%) 33 ,35,37,44,45,47,49,59,66,74,83,86,89,91,94,96,118,127,128,132…”

Estimated Effect of Temperature on Years of Life Lost: A Retrospective Time-Series Study of Low-, Middle-, and High-Income Regions

“…Individual and environmental factors such as adaptive behavior, gender, socioeconomic status, access to health care, and building structure have been shown to contribute to the adverse health effects of heat ( Dutta et al 2015 ; Eisenman et al 2016 ; Hondula et al 2012 ; Laverdière et al 2016 ; Näyhä et al 2016 ; Smith et al 2014 ; Son et al 2016 ; Vandentorren et al 2004 ). We still know little, however, about the role of these factors in exacerbating vulnerability to cold in low- and middle-income countries, where low temperature usually is not given priority as a health risk.…”

Heat Stress Perception among Native and Migrant Workers in Italian Industries—Case Studies from the Construction and Agricultural Sectors

“…The survey (Annex 1) was an adapted version of the original one developed by Kjellstrom et al within the “Hothaps programme”, a multi-centre health research and prevention programme aimed at quantifying the extent to which working people are affected by, or adapt to, heat exposure in the workplace, and climate change role in increasing such effects [20]. The original version was also used also by Dutta et al to characterize the effects of heat on construction workers from a site in Gandhinagar, India [21]. The estimated time to complete the questionnaire was around ten minutes.…”