Turner Studying Effects of Rising Temperatures on Construction Workers 

Heat, Health, and Hard Hats: Studying the Effects of Rising Temperatures on Construction Workers 

The Turner team at a large data center project in Kansas City has completed a heat pilot study—the first phase of a dynamic effort to better understand the effects of heat on the health of construction workers and in turn the construction industry.

“There is a lack of awareness about the serious consequences of extreme heat on our business,” said Monika Serrano, resilience project manager, adding that as our climate changes, outdoor working conditions are also changing, creating urgent concerns about outdoor worker safety and health. 

“We are recording increasing summer temperatures around the globe and the trend is expected to continue,” she said. “In fact, according to the Fifth National Climate Assessment, released this year, ‘the planet is on average about 2°F (1.1°C) warmer than it was in the late 1800s,’and rising. That might not sound like a big difference, but it is, and does not take into account the extreme heat waves over shorter intense periods that contribute to that average. Indeed, as Climate Central’s Climate Shift Index illustrates so well, a small change in the average leads to big changes in extremes.”

According to Monika, the answer starts with a deeper understanding of how these changes to the environment affect us and our business. “As part of our focus on creating an ever-more adaptable, resilient, and sustainable built environment, it is critical that we think about our people. We need research and data to promote awareness and ultimately to drive development of policy, protocols, and procedures to keep workers safe—while also keeping our industry functioning,” she said. “If we want to keep building, we have to adapt.”

The team undertook the study in collaboration with a group of researchers from the University of New Mexico, Indiana University, and La Isla Network, an organization that studies the effects of heat on workers to ensure the prevention of heat related illnesses including early mortality due to heat stroke and potential long-term outcomes like chronic kidney disease.

The researchers monitored 33 workers for a full day in the summer, using heart rate monitors and other devices to collect physiological data such as internal body temperature, hydration level, and heart rate. Researchers also connected with workers at the end of the workday to gather perceived-related data about how hot and tired they felt.

“The night before, each of the subjects swallowed a data collection device the size of a pill, which stayed in their body for 24 hours measuring internal body temperature andallowed the researchers to continuous monitor and track the internal body temperature,” ” said Monika. “We were pleasantly surprised we were able to find enough participants. The credit goes to the Turner project team, who were extremely proactive throughout the whole process, and to the subs who shared their time and experience with us.” 

The study has already yielded interesting and actionable results. “Our findings reveal that 43% of workers experienced a peak core temperature exceeding 100.4°F, with 4% exceeding 101.3°F, even in conditions that [were] cooler than typical summer conditions,” reported Fabiano Amorim and Zachary Schlader, the lead researchers of the pilot study. “Although these numbers are not alarming, if the measured elevations in body temperature were prolonged, permanent health effects could result. The findings demonstrate that in periods of extreme hot weather, such as during heat waves, construction workers are at substantial risk of heat-related health issues. This research emphasizes the urgent need for strategies to protect the health and safety of construction workers.”

Another takeaway from the study offered opportunity for a simple improvement. “We learned that most workers arrive dehydrated to the jobsite,” said Monika. “Knowing that, we have a really clear opportunity to do direct outreach about hydrating outside of work.” 

The pilot reflects Turner’s environmental and social governance strategy – one that emphasizes the health and safety of workers and work environments, promotes resilient and sustainable initiatives, and recognizes the many ways those two areas of focus intersect.

“Through collaborations like this heat pilot study, and our emphasis on heat mitigation strategies throughout our jobsites, we have a chance to provide leadership that will help our people and industry stay safe and adapt to a changing world,” said Monika. 

Meet the Turner Team: Monika Serrano

Monika leads the Resilience Program at Turner. She is a LEED AP, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, Living Future Ambassador, WEDG Associate and a Climate Reality Project Leader. Monika has held roles in most phases of the construction process in her 18 years in the industry. She considers climate change one of the biggest threats to humanity and is passionate about working towards preparing for a challenging future. in the design, engineering, construction, risk and insurance industries as she believes in the power of partnerships to move the needle towards a vital world. Monika grew up in Venezuela and graduated as a Mechanical Engineer from Lafayette College.