Assessment of heat stress impacts on construction workers: A South African exploratory study

Katlane Seema, Clinton Aigbavboa

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The impact that heat stress has to the construction field is an everevolving topic as its also impacted by the change in climate. The South African climate temperatures escalated dramatically in the previous years leading to heat stress warning from the weather services towards the construction working conditions. The working conditions associated with heat stress may work against the foremen or anyone that spends most of their times not protecting themselves against the fast-changing temperatures in the construction sites resulting in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, heat cramps and heat rush. However, due to a low number of deaths on the construction site compared to the mining field, it has been taken not so much as a risk unless there is a heat wave warning. The aim of the research is to theoretically assess the impact that heat stress has to the construction field and the change in weather temperatures over the years. The study will contribute to the growing body of knowledge on heat stress and it impact in the construction industry.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors - Proceedings of the AHFE 2017 International Conference on Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors, 2017
EditorsWaldemar Karwowski, Ravindra S. Goonetilleke
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages455-465
Number of pages11
ISBN (Print)9783319608242
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
EventAHFE 2017 International Conference on Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors, 2017 - Los Angeles, United States
Duration: 17 Jul 201721 Jul 2017

Publication series

NameAdvances in Intelligent Systems and Computing
Volume602
ISSN (Print)2194-5357

Conference

ConferenceAHFE 2017 International Conference on Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors, 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLos Angeles
Period17/07/1721/07/17

Keywords

  • Construction work conditions
  • Heat stress
  • Heat stroke
  • Heatwave
  • IEC 61508
  • OHSA codes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • General Computer Science

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