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doi:10.3850/978-981-08-7920-4_S1-CS12-cd
A Research Framework for Assessing the Effects of Heat Stress on Construction Workers
A. P. C. Chan1, F. K. W. Wong1, M. C. H. Yam1, D. M. W. Chan1, E. C. M. Mok2, G. Y. K. Shea2, Y. Guan1, J. W. Y. Chung3, H. Biggs4 and D. Dingsdag5
1Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
2Department of Land Surveying & Geo-Informatic, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University,
Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
3Department of Health and Physical Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education,
Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong.
4School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology,
Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia.
5School of Natural Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Hawkerbury Campus, Australia.
ABSTRACT
Hong Kong in summer (June–October) is hot and humid. Construction workers have to
undertake physically demanding activities and often in confined spaces. They are vulnerable
to heat stress in summer hence health and safety measures associated to heat stress measured
by scientific and clinical parameters are urgently needed. This paper provides an initial report
of a research project funded by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of the HKSAR. The aim
of this study is to develop a set of indices measured by clinical and scientific methods to
detect impending attacks of heat stress. These indices would be of tremendous value in better
safeguarding workers’ health and safety by reducing the occurrences of heat stress on site.
This paper firstly reports on the statistics of construction incidents arising from heat stress.
Qualitative and quantitative researchmethods applied in conducting the research are discussed.
It is believed that the construction industry and the government would benefit a lot as a result
of this study.
Keywords: Heat stress, Clinical parameters, Construction working condition.
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