Construction worker productivity in hot and humid weather conditions

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper shows the effect of hot and humid weather conditions (HHWCs) on workers that has resulted in considerable loss in the construction industry, especially during the hottest periods due to decline in worker productivity (WP). Until the last few decades, there is very limited research on construction WP in HHWCs. Nevertheless, these studies have sparked interests on seeking for the most appropriate methods to assess the impact of HHWCs on construction workers. Design/methodology/approach This paper begins by reviewing the current measuring methods on WP in HHWCs, follows by presenting the potential impact of HHWCs on WP. The paper highlights the methodological deficiencies, which consequently provides a platform for scholars and practitioners to direct future research to resolve the significant productivity loss due to global warming. This paper highlights the need to identify the limitations and advantages of the current methods to formulate a framework of new approaches to measure the WP in HHWCs. Findings Results show that the methods used in providing real-time response on the effects of HHWCs on WP in construction at project, task and crew levels are limited. An integration of nonintrusive real-time monitoring system and local weather measurement with real-time data synchronisation and analysis is required to produce suitable information to determine worker health- and safety-related decisions in HHWCs. Originality/value The comprehensive literature review makes an original contribution to WP measurements filed in HHWCs in the construction industry. Results of this review provide researchers and practitioners with an insight into challenges associated with the measurements methods and solving practical site measurements issues. The findings will also enable the researchers and practitioners to bridge the identified research gaps in this research field and enhance the ability to provide accurate measures in HHWCs. The proposed research framework may promote potential improvements in the productivity measurements methods, which support researchers and practitioners in developing new innovative methods in HHWCs with the integration of the most recent monitoring technologies.

Exploring Fatalities and Injuries in Construction by Considering Thermal Comfort Using Uncertainty and Relative Importance Analysis

“…In this study, the temperature is selected as the most important parameters. Previous research also mentioned the importance of the temperature in enhancing safety management [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. High temperature can cause heat rash, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke in construction workers [ 4 ].…”

“…Low temperature in winter also can cause fatigue, lumbago, and cold finger sensation [6]. Rameezdeen and Elmualim (2017) insisted that heat stress causes heat rash, heat cramp, heat fainting, heat exhaustion and heatstroke in construction workers [4], Mohammed et al (2019) noted how productivity losses, illnesses and injuries to workers may arise due to hot and humid weather conditions [13]. In addition, Yi and Chan (2013) found that hot and humid weather conditions caused worker fatigue and productivity losses, and they proposed an evaluation of heat stress to provide a proper balance between work and rest [16].…”

“…As indicated in Table 1 , previous research in this area falls into three categories: (i) research related to the causes of construction disasters [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ], (ii) research related to an analysis of the weather impact on injury and fatal accidents in construction [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , ...…”

“…Accordingly, this research focuses on the thermal comfort of construction workers considering their work conditions, such as OEQ. Studies related to OEQ found that injury and fatal accidents occurred due to different temperature conditions and seasonal changes [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Earlier work analyzed the causes of injury and fatal accidents in relation to specific weather conditions, such as those in the summer and winter seasons [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

Factors affecting the intrusiveness and selection of real-site data collection methods in hot and humid climates: critical review

“…subtropical regions. Hazardous environmental and work-related conditions disrupt workers' health and safety (HS) (Choudhry, 2017;Cheng et al, 2012;Shirali et al, 2016) and consequently their productivity and overall performance (Moohialdin et al, 2019;Zander et al, 2018;Li et al, 2016b). Hence, the effects of HHCs have received more attention and become a topic of significant concern for scholars and practitioners (Yang and Chan, 2017).…”