Exploring the Influence of Extreme Weather on Construction Worker Safety
Publication: Construction Research Congress 2024
ABSTRACT
Extreme weather events related to climate change present injury risks to construction workers. The increased exposure to these extreme conditions leads to heightened physical and mental health challenges among these workers. This study aims to investigate the impact of extreme weather events on construction worker safety, utilizing historical accident data from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and extreme weather event data from National Weather Service (NWS) from 2015 to 2021. By employing a matched-pair analysis, the research explores the intricate relationship between extreme weather and construction worker injuries. The results show that extreme heat, flood, hail, and wildfire increase the risk of construction accidents. Under extreme weather scenarios, fall accidents and heat-related illnesses are more likely. Findings will help decision-makers understand the challenges faced by construction workers under extreme weather. Identifying the most dangerous weather event for construction workers can aid in task allocation and safety planning.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Construction Research Congress 2024
Pages: 508 - 517
History
Published online: Mar 18, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Business management
- Climate change
- Climates
- Construction engineering
- Construction management
- Employment
- Environmental engineering
- Floods
- Health hazards
- Labor
- Meteorology
- Occupational safety
- Personnel management
- Practice and Profession
- Public administration
- Public health and safety
- Safety
- Water and water resources
- Weather forecasting
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
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