Examination of the effects of global warming on workers in the construction industry

Abstract

This research analyses and presents climate change processes in Europe and Hungary, with particular regard to the increase in the intensity and frequency of summer heat waves, which in recent years have posed a significant additional occupational health and safety risk in the construction industry, as well as increased heat stress for workers. The Hungarian occupational safety legislation currently only sets out a limited number of detailed employer obligations regarding the management of extreme temperature conditions, so in light of the current climate impacts, it may be justified to go beyond the existing regulations and develop a stricter regulatory framework. Accordingly, in the empirical phase of our research, we use instrumental measurements to investigate the actual microclimate parameters at a representative construction site, as well as their physiological and performance effects on workers.