A Short Review on Heat Stress and Heat Strain in Construction Industry: The Effect on Worker Performance, Associated Health Effect, It’s Measurement and Control Mechanism

Abstract

Prolonged exposure to hot and humid environments increases the probability of heat load that may cause harm to an individual. It is estimated that 35% of individuals working in heat stress condition experience occupational heat strain and 30% experience productivity loss. Worker's start to experience heat stress when Web Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is over 22 °C for intense work and WBGT over 25 °C for non-intense work. Furthermore, working at a temperature above 32.2 °C in a hot-humid environment and 33 °C in a hot-dry climate have shown to have an impact on workers mental performance. This include reduce in workers speed of response, reasoning ability, visual perception, associative learning, and mental alertness. Therefore, objective of this study is to identify heat stress and strain control mechanism that have been developed in order to maintain construction workers safety and health. The review was done by analyzing past journal and article related with heat stress control mechanism for construction workers. Preventive safeguard measures from heat stress includes providing drinking water or sports drinks, rescheduling non-essential work, work break cycles and providing shades. Furthermore, Middle East countries implement regulation that ban working from 12 noon to 3 p.m. In addition, employer need to be proactive by monitoring worker condition on site and promote ‘drink water’ culture. In conclusion, there are numerous heat stress control and mechanism implemented to protect construction worker safety and health. The control mechanisms reduce heat stress by hydrating the worker through drinking water or reducing worker contact with sunlight.