Assessment of Heat Stress Exposure among Construction Workers in the Hot Desert Climate of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives Excessive heat exposure poses significant risks to workers in hot climates. This study assessed the intensity and duration of heat stress exposure among workers performing residential construction in southeastern Saudi Arabia (SA) during the summer, June–September 2016. Objectives were to: identify work factors related to heat stress exposure; measure environmental heat exposure at the construction sites; assess the heat stress risk among workers using the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index; and determine if temperature-humidity indices can be appropriate alternatives to WBGT for managing heat stress risk at the construction sites. Methods Worksite walkthrough surveys and environmental monitoring were performed, indoors and outdoors, at 10 construction sites in Al-Ahsa Province. A heat stress exposure assessment was conducted according to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®) guidelines, which uses the WBGT index. WBGT measurements from two instruments were compared. Alternative heat stress indices were compared to the WBGT: the heat index (HI) and humidex (HD) index. Results Construction workers were exposed to excessive heat stress, indoors and outdoors over a large part of the work day. Complying with a midday outdoor work ban (12–3 p.m.) was not effective in reducing heat stress risk. The highest intensity of exposure was outdoors from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; a period identified with the highest hourly mean WBGT values (31–33°C) and the least allowable working time according to ACGIH® guidelines. Comparison of the alternative indices showed that the HI is more reliable than the HD as a surrogate for the WBGT index in the climate studied. Conclusion The extreme heat exposure represents a serious risk. The severity of heat stress and its impact are projected to increase due to climate change, emphasizing the need for immediate improvement of the current required protective measures and the development of occupational heat stress exposure guidelines in SA.

Practical Judgment of Workload Based on Physical Activity, Work Conditions, and Worker’s Age in Construction Site

“…It measures the load fluctuation of the workers by using data collected from the smart clothing; this fluctuation corresponds to workers’ age, the temperature of the working environment, and working conditions (e.g., foreman and the real workers and the difference between the assistants and the scaffold workers). In line with the results of previous studies, this study shows that the physical demands differs in case of each worker; hence, results seen in previous studies on wearable devices (wristband-type devices) correspond [ 5 , 56 , 57 , 58 ] to this study.…”

“…Characterized by poor working environments, such as poor scaffolding, aerial work platforms, high humidity at high temperatures, and a worksite adjacent to heavy construction equipment, construction sites often contribute toward increasing the physical workload of construction workers [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. A high-temperature or highly humid work environment and long-term physical workload expose workers to chronic fatigue, injury, illness, and health risk, and thereby reduce a site’s productivity [ 6 , 7 ].…”

An Occupational Heat–Health Warning System for Europe: The HEAT-SHIELD Platform

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Estimation of Heat Stress and Maximum Acceptable Work Time Based on Physiological and Environmental Response in Hot-Dry Climate: A Case Study in Traditional Bakers

“…Combined application of the environmental and physiological measurements seems to be better for the evaluation of heat stress and strain in hot-dry climates. 6,31,35…”