Multi-level grey evaluation model for assessing health and safety practices in hot weather

Heat stress, having caused preventable and lamentable deaths, is hazardous to construction workers in hot and humid summers in China. Although a number of initiatives have been put in place to promote health and safety in the workplace through legislation, law enforcement, safety promotion and training, working during hot season in China is still very risky. Evidence has been documented that 80% construction accidents occurred between June and August. The aim of this study is to establish a ConstructionHealth and Safety EvaluationModel (CHSEM). A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify critical health and safety factors for working in hotweather. Evaluation of health and safety practices is a complex process involving grey characteristics and uncertainties. A multi-level gray evaluation model is regarded as the most suitable technique for this problem. The evaluation model not only offers a better understanding of health and safety capacity level objectively and practically but it can also provide guidelines for enterprises to improve their health and safety practices. This would be of tremendous value in better safeguarding workers' well beings by reducing the occurrences of heat stress on site.