Issues engulfed Saudi Arabia construction workers

Abstract Objectives Assess the impact of summer heat exposure (June–September) on residential construction workers in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia by evaluating (i) heart rate (HR) responses, hydration status, and physical workload among workers in indoor and outdoor construction settings, (ii) factors related to physiological responses to work in hot conditions, and (iii) how well wet-bulb globe temperature-based occupational exposure limits (WBGTOELs) predict measures of heat strain. Methods Twenty-three construction workers (plasterers, tilers, and laborers) contributed 260 person-days of monitoring. Workload energy expenditure, HR, fluid intake, and pre- and postshift urine specific gravity (USG) were measured. Indoor and outdoor heat exposures (WBGT) were measured continuously and a WBGTOEL was calculated. The effects of heat exposure and workload on heart rate reserve (HRR), a measure of cardiovascular strain, were examined with linear mixed models. A metric called ‘heat stress exceedance’ (HSE) was constructed to summarize whether the environmental heat exposure (WBGT) exceeded the heat stress exposure limit (WBGTOEL). The sensitivity and specificity of the HSE as a predictor of cardiovascular strain (HRR ≥30%) were determined. Results The WBGTOEL was exceeded frequently, on 63 person-days indoors (44%) and 91(78%) outdoors. High-risk HRR occurred on 26 and 36 person-days indoors and outdoors, respectively. The HSE metric showed higher sensitivity for HRR ≥30% outdoors (89%) than indoors (58%) and greater specificity indoors (59%) than outdoors (27%). Workload intensity was generally moderate, with light intensity work more common outdoors. The ability to self-pace work was associated with a lower frequency of HRR ≥30%. USG concentrations indicated that workers began and ended their shifts dehydrated (USG ≥1.020). Conclusions Construction work where WBGTOEL is commonly exceeded poses health risks. The ability of workers to self-pace may help reduce risks.

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The Social Support: A Missing Link between Safety Management Practices and Safety Behaviour of Foreign Construction Workers in Saudi Arabia

Open Journal of Business and Management ◽

10.4236/ojbm.2021.93053 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 09 (03) ◽

pp. 990-1012

Author(s):

Bassem Alfayez

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Management Practices ◽

Safety Management ◽

Construction Workers ◽

Missing Link ◽

The Social ◽

Safety Behaviour

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Risk of Kidney Injury among Construction Workers Exposed to Heat Stress: A Longitudinal Study from Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17113775 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 3775

Author(s):

Mohammed Al-Bouwarthan ◽

Margaret M. Quinn ◽

David Kriebel ◽

David H. Wegman

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Construction Workers ◽

Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Summer Heat ◽

Adequate Hydration ◽

The Impact

Saudi Arabia (SA) is one of the hottest countries in the world. This study was conducted to assess the impact of summer heat stress in Southeastern SA on short-term kidney injury (KI) among building construction workers and to identify relevant risk factors. Measurements of urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR), height, weight, hydration, symptoms, daily work and behavioral factors were collected in June and September of 2016 from a cohort of construction workers (n = 65) in Al-Ahsa Province, SA. KI was defined as ACR ≥ 30 mg/g. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess factors related to cross-summer changes in ACR. A significant increase in ACR occurred among most workers over the study period; incidence of KI was 18%. Risk factors associated with an increased ACR included dehydration, short sleep, and obesity. The findings suggest that exposure to summer heat may lead to the development of KI among construction workers in this region. Adequate hydration and promotion of healthy habits among workers may help reduce the risk of KI. A reduction in work hours may be the most effective intervention because this action can reduce heat exposure and improve sleep quality.

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Impact of emotional intelligence on the stress and safety of construction workers' in Saudi Arabia

Engineering Construction & Architectural Management ◽

10.1108/ecam-06-2021-0481 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Hemaid Alsulami ◽

Suhail H. Serbaya ◽

Ali Rizwan ◽

Muhammad Saleem ◽

Yassine Maleh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emotional Intelligence ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Construction Industry ◽

Construction Workers ◽

Safety Behaviors ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Safety Behavior ◽

Content Type ◽

Stress Levels ◽

The Impact

PurposeIn a country like Saudi Arabia, where the construction industry is witnessing an impressive growth in the post-oil era, it is important to examine the occupational health and safety behaviors of construction workers (CWs).Design/methodology/approachThe present study aims to investigate the impact of emotional intelligence (EI) on workers' stress and safety behaviors. Data were collected from CWs (n = 265) at a major construction site in the city of Jeddah. Two questionnaires comprising 25 and 32 questions were used to measure their EI and stress levels, respectively. Furthermore, structured interviews were conducted with the managers and supervisors to inquire about the safety behavior of their respective workers. Descriptive statistics, simple and companion regression were used for data analysis.FindingsThe findings indicate that EI plays an important role to enhance the safety behaviors of the CWs besides reducing their workplace stresses. Furthermore, workers' stress levels are found to negatively impact their safety behaviors, indicating that any reduction in occupational stress can reciprocally enhance their safety compliance. The findings are further discussed with the concerned stakeholders to recommend a seven-point therapeutic role of EI for the safety of CWs.Originality/valueResults of the study can be used by managers and supervisors of the Saudi construction industry to reduce workplace accidents and improve the productivity of their organizations.

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"Prevalence of Risk Factors for Diabetes Among Construction Workers in Majmaah City, Saudi Arabia"

International Journal of Current Research and Review ◽

10.7324/ijcrr.2018.10410 ◽

2018 ◽

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Construction Workers

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Examining the Satisfaction Level of Construction Workers Regarding Safety Management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Journal of Construction in Developing Countries ◽

10.21315/jcdc2017.22.1.6 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 97-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Subashini Suresh ◽

◽

Suresh Renukappa ◽

Ibrahim Alghanmi ◽

Sabah Mushatat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Safety Management ◽

Construction Workers ◽

Satisfaction Level ◽

Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia

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Assessment of Heat Stress Exposure among Construction Workers in the Hot Desert Climate of Saudi Arabia

Annals of Work Exposures and Health ◽

10.1093/annweh/wxz033 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 63 (5) ◽

pp. 505-520 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Mohammed Al-Bouwarthan ◽

Margaret M Quinn ◽

David Kriebel ◽

David H Wegman

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Heat Exposure ◽

Construction Workers ◽

Heat Index ◽

Stress Exposure ◽

Construction Sites ◽

Excessive Heat ◽

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature ◽

Globe Temperature

Abstract Objectives Excessive heat exposure poses significant risks to workers in hot climates. This study assessed the intensity and duration of heat stress exposure among workers performing residential construction in southeastern Saudi Arabia (SA) during the summer, June–September 2016. Objectives were to: identify work factors related to heat stress exposure; measure environmental heat exposure at the construction sites; assess the heat stress risk among workers using the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index; and determine if temperature-humidity indices can be appropriate alternatives to WBGT for managing heat stress risk at the construction sites. Methods Worksite walkthrough surveys and environmental monitoring were performed, indoors and outdoors, at 10 construction sites in Al-Ahsa Province. A heat stress exposure assessment was conducted according to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®) guidelines, which uses the WBGT index. WBGT measurements from two instruments were compared. Alternative heat stress indices were compared to the WBGT: the heat index (HI) and humidex (HD) index. Results Construction workers were exposed to excessive heat stress, indoors and outdoors over a large part of the work day. Complying with a midday outdoor work ban (12–3 p.m.) was not effective in reducing heat stress risk. The highest intensity of exposure was outdoors from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; a period identified with the highest hourly mean WBGT values (31–33°C) and the least allowable working time according to ACGIH® guidelines. Comparison of the alternative indices showed that the HI is more reliable than the HD as a surrogate for the WBGT index in the climate studied. Conclusion The extreme heat exposure represents a serious risk. The severity of heat stress and its impact are projected to increase due to climate change, emphasizing the need for immediate improvement of the current required protective measures and the development of occupational heat stress exposure guidelines in SA.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY PERCEPTION OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Architecture Civil Engineering Environment ◽

10.21307/acee-2018-043 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 107-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Muizz O. SANNI-ANIBIRE ◽

Abubakar S. MAHMOUD ◽

Mohammad A. HASSANAIN ◽

Faleh ALMUTAIRI

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Construction Workers ◽

Safety Perception

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Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain in Construction Workers in Saudi Arabia

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2015/529873 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Ahmad Alghadir ◽

Shahnawaz Anwer

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Musculoskeletal Pain ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

The Body ◽

Construction Workers ◽

Average Intensity ◽

Low Back ◽

Chi Square ◽

Lower Back ◽

Chi Square Test

The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence, characteristics, and distribution of musculoskeletal pain among construction workers in Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire about musculoskeletal pain in different parts of the body was completed by 165 construction workers from the construction industries in Dammam and Riyadh cities. The descriptive data were analyzed using chi-square test. The level of statistical significance was set atP<0.05. Eighty (48.5%) of the responding workers had pain in neck, shoulders, lower back, hand, knee, or ankle. The majority of respondents had low back pain (50%) followed by knee pain (20%). The average intensity of pain at all sites during activity and rest was 6.65 and 3.59, respectively. Thirty-four (42.5%) respondents had dull aching pain and 24 (30%) had cramping pain. There was an association between years of experience, duration of break during work, and use of protective equipment with the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in construction workers (P<0.05). Most of the workers complaining of pain got medical treatment (62.5%) and only 25% received physical therapy. It can be concluded from this study that the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among construction workers in Saudi Arabia is high.

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