Physiological impacts on construction workers under extremely hot and humid weather

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Physiology
• Construction Safety Engineering

Background:

• Construction worker health and safety are critical concerns globally.
• The Arabian Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, faces challenges due to extremely hot and humid (EHH) weather.
• EHH conditions pose direct risks to the health and safety of construction personnel.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physiological impacts of EHH weather on construction workers.
• To quantify the effects of EHH conditions on workers' physiological status.
• To identify factors influencing physiological responses to heat stress in construction.

Main Methods:

• Assessed physiological status by measuring physical parameters (age, height, weight), activities, and tasks.
• Conducted quantitative analysis on data from 35 multinational construction workers under real site conditions.
• Tested hypotheses to determine the influence of individual and work-related aspects on physiological responses.

Main Results:

• Recorded heart rate (HR) exceeded acceptable physiological limits for workers in EHH conditions.
• Demonstrated significant influence of physical body parameters, work activities, and worker status on physiological responses.
• Provided empirical evidence of adverse physiological effects of EHH weather on construction workers.

Conclusions:

• Continuous monitoring systems are recommended as early warning mechanisms for EHH weather.
• Findings underscore the need for interventions to protect construction workers from heat stress.
• Highlights the importance of considering individual and work factors in managing heat-related risks in construction.