Isohyperthermic temperature regime on productivity of labour intensive works on construction in Ghana

The aim of this paper is to investigate the principal components of temperature that affect productivity of labour intensive public works in the Ghana. The objectives are to identify the temperature components that affect labour productivity on the sites and develop a holistic construction labour productivity constructs on temperature component. Stratified method was used to select 560 respondents at the one hundred and twenty sites. Exploratory factor analysis was used to classify the factors into components. Regression analysis was carried out. Data was subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation. The hourly Wet Bulb Globe Temperature indicates that from 5am to 10am there are no risk however from 1 pm to 3 pm there is extreme risk for the workers working out door due to the direct contact of the sun. Then the intensity of the temperature declines from 4 pm to 6 pm work session. Road contractors, especially in Ghana, have not realised the significance of temperature in relation to the labour productivity of their construction sites. However, the Exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis results have indicated that the temperature component significantly influence firms' labour productivity. The implication of the study to construction workers that the temperature construct emerged as the most influential construct that would aid firms in achieving productivity. Instead of conducting the construction activities at 8:00 to 15:00 it is recommended that the activities begin at 5:00-10:00 and resumes at 16:00 to 17:00 when the temperature is at an optimal level and the wet bulb globe temperature will not affect the productivity of the workers.