Heat stress and productivity losses in urban construction workforces

Abstract

Rapid urbanization has intensified the demand for new buildings, exposing outdoor construction workers to heightened physical strain and reduced productivity, particularly in hot-humid urban environments. Here we quantify heat stress and associated productivity losses among 101 workers across 10 construction sites in Taipei and New Taipei City. We find that in labor-intensive sectors like construction, heat stress imposes a substantial economic burden, with productivity losses ranging from 29.0% to 41.3%, depending on the task type. This study quantifies heat exposure and its impact on construction worker productivity in Taiwan. It finds that heat stress in the labor-intensive construction sector carries a substantial economic burden.