Building Economic Resilience to the Health Impacts of Climate Change 2025

6 Protect workers with PPE and better training Construction workers and maintenance workers require targeted interventions similar to those discussed in the food and agriculture chapter. Specialized PPE includes cooling apparel (neck wraps, phase-change cooling vests), ventilated helmets, ultraviolet (UV)-protective clothing (for extreme heat) and N95 or P100 respirators for smoky or high-pollution days. Studies have found that construction workers in Hong Kong had significantly lower heart rates and reported less exertion and heat stress when they wore cooling vests rather than normal work attire.55 Risk of injury, mortality and preventable disease can also be reduced through improved training programmes to educate workers on recognizing heat illness symptoms, safe work-rest cycles, hydration practices and emergency procedures for extreme weather. Investing in worker health reduces productivity loss from illness and enhances retention in an industry with chronic labour shortages. 7 Modify working practices Avoiding peak heat hours, implementing mandatory breaks and establishing other acclimatization policies can help outdoor workers avoid heat stress and unnecessary exposure. As discussed in the earlier food and agriculture chapter, these types of changes are cost-effective to implement, and in many cases, regulators have stepped in to set minimum standards. For example, the United Arab Emirates bans outdoor construction work during midday from 15 June to 15 September each year.56 While this can incur overtime costs, it prevents worker illness and the associated productivity losses. 8 Improve site design and maintenance Preventing the accumulation of standing water in uneven ground and containers can greatly reduce mosquito breeding and the risk of vector-borne disease. Embedding mosquito control into site design and housekeeping (for example, designing draining systems and removing receptacles that gather water) and conducting regular maintenance and inspections are key examples of best practice. In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a pilot programme to clear blocked drains and eliminate stagnant water around a construction area achieved an 88% decrease in the odds of malaria infection in the nearby community within six months.57 Low-cost adaptations of this kind offer significant economic benefits by preventing disease outbreaks that can reduce productivity or halt work.GS Engineering and Construction implements robust heat safety protocols to protect construction workers from increasing climate risks. Work is prioritized during cooler hours, and mandatory breaks are scheduled based on the heat index – every hour for 10 minutes at 31°C and 15 minutes at 35°C or higher, exceeding global standards. On-site rest areas feature portable fans and air conditioners to maintain low-temperature zones, while cooling vests and ice packs are distributed during high-heat periods. Adaptive measures like these are increasingly important in the construction sector as outdoor workers are exposed to more hazardous environmental conditions.BOX 6 Enhancing worker safety amid rising temperatures Avoiding peak heat hours, implementing mandatory breaks and establishing other acclimatization policies can help outdoor workers avoid heat stress. Building Economic Resilience to the Health Impacts of Climate Change 27