International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 15, Issue 2, 2018

Assessing heat stress and health among construction workers in a changing climate: A review (Article) (Open Access)

Acharya P. , Boggess B. , Zhang K.*
  • a Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, United States
  • b Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, United States, Austin, TX 78753, United States
  • c Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, United States, Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, United States

Abstract

Construction workers are at an elevated risk of heat stress, due to the strenuous nature of the work, high temperature work condition, and a changing climate. An increasing number of workers are at risk, as the industry’s growth has been fueled by high demand and vast numbers of immigrant workers entering into the U.S., the Middle East and Asia to meet the demand. The risk of heat-related illnesses is increased by the fact that little to no regulations are present and/or enforced to protect these workers. This review recognizes the issues by summarizing epidemiological studies both in the U.S. and internationally. These studies have assessed the severity with which construction workers are affected by heat stress, risk factors and co-morbidities associated with heat-related illnesses in the construction industry, vulnerable populations, and efforts in implementing preventive measures. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

construction workers Heat stress Climate change Heat-related illness

Index Keywords

vulnerable population heat building industry race difference Hot Temperature heat stress occupational disease human epidemiology comorbidity sex difference Middle East Heat Stress Disorders heat injury heat acclimatization thermal exposure construction industry Occupational Diseases United States migrant worker Humans occupational exposure workload occupational safety Climate change seasonal variation work schedule Article construction worker temperature effect occupational health mortality dehydration public health campaign
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85041460831&doi=10.3390%2fijerph15020247&partnerID=40&md5=925a40acb7d7d846764f2b99ab72749c
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15020247
ISSN: 16617827
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English