Human Habitats

The social implications of occupational heat stress on migrant workers engaged in public construction: a case study from southern India

Authors: 
Venugopal V, Chinnadurai A, Lucas R, Vishwanathan V, Rajiva A, Kjellstrom T
Year: 
2016

Health deterioration due to multiple exposures to hazards is not uncommon among construction workers. Migrant workers contribute a lion’s share (~79%) to public construction in India and about two-thirds of the migrant workforce lives in temporary habitats with minimal basic amenities. The implications of occupational heat stress on the health and social lives of the migrant workers engaged in construction of public metro railway was explored. One hundred and forty-two migrant workers were engaged in the study after obtaining informed consent.