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Effects of Heat Stress on Construction Labor Productivity in Hong Kong: A Case Study of Rebar Workers

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  • Wen Yi

    (School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, College of Sciences, Massey University, Auckland 0745, New Zealand)

  • Albert P. C. Chan

    (Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Global warming is bringing more frequent and severe heat waves, and the result will be serious for vulnerable populations such as construction workers. Excessive heat stress has profound effects on physiological responses, which cause occupational injuries, fatalities and low productivity. Construction workers are particularly affected by heat stress, because of the body heat production caused by physically demanding tasks, and hot and humid working conditions. Field studies were conducted between August and September 2016 at two construction training grounds in Hong Kong. Onsite wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT), workers’ heart rate (HR), and labor productivity were measured and monitored. Based on the 378 data sets of synchronized environmental, physiological, construction labor productivity (CLP), and personal variables, a CLP-heat stress model was established. It was found that WBGT, percentage of maximum HR, age, work duration, and alcohol drinking habits were determining factors for predicting the CLP (adjusted R 2 = 0.68, p < 0.05). The model revealed that heat stress reduces CLP, with the percentage of direct work time decreasing by 0.33% when the WBGT increased by 1 °C. The findings in this study extend the existing practice notes by providing scientific data that may be of benefit to the industry in producing solid guidelines for working in hot weather.

Suggested Citation

  • Wen Yi & Albert P. C. Chan, 2017. "Effects of Heat Stress on Construction Labor Productivity in Hong Kong: A Case Study of Rebar Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:9:p:1055-:d:111648
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Tjaša Pogačar & Zala Žnidaršič & Lučka Kajfež Bogataj & Andreas D. Flouris & Konstantina Poulianiti & Zalika Črepinšek, 2019. "Heat Waves Occurrence and Outdoor Workers’ Self-assessment of Heat Stress in Slovenia and Greece," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-12, February.
    3. Alana L Hansen & Susan Williams & Scott Hanson-Easey & Blesson M Varghese & Peng Bi & Jane Heyworth & Monika Nitschke & Shelley Rowett & Malcolm R Sim & Dino L Pisaniello, 2020. "Using a Qualitative Phenomenological Approach to Inform the Etiology and Prevention of Occupational Heat-Related Injuries in Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-16, January.

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