Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10397/7625
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Title: Developing a heat stress model for construction workers
Authors: Chan, APC 
Yam, MCH 
Chung, JWY
Yi, W 
Issue Date: 2012
Source: Journal of facilities management, 2012, v. 10, no. 1, p. 59-74
Abstract: Purpose– Heat stress, having caused preventable and lamentable deaths, is hazardous to construction workers in the hot and humid summers of Hong Kong. The purpose of this paper is to develop a heat stress model, based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index.
Design/methodology/approach– Field studies were conducted during the summer time in Hong Kong (July to September 2010). Based upon 281 sets of synchronized meteorological and physiological data collected from construction workers in four different construction sites between July and September 2010, physiological, work‐related, environmental and personal parameters were measured to construct and verify the heat stress model.
Findings– It is found that drinking habit, age and work duration are the top three significant predictors to determine construction workers' physiological responses. Other predictors include percentage of body fat, resting heart rate, air pollution index, WBGT, smoking habit, energy consumption, and respiratory exchange rate. The accuracy of the model is verified against data which have not been used in developing the model. The accuracy of the heat stress model is found to be statistically acceptable (Mean Absolute Percentage Error=5.6 percent, Theil's U inequality coefficients=0.003).
Practical implications– Based on these findings, appropriate work‐rest pattern can be designed to safeguard the well being of workers when working in a hot and humid environment.
Originality/value– The model reported in this paper provides a more scientific and reliable prediction of the reality which may benefit the industry to produce solid guidelines for working in hot weather.
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Journal: Journal of facilities management 
ISSN: 1472-5967
EISSN: 1741-0983
DOI: 10.1108/14725961211200405
Appears in Collections:Journal/Magazine Article

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