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<p>Understanding the influence of environmental factors on labor efficiency is crucial in regions with rising temperatures. This study investigates the impact of heat stress, measured using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), on labor productivity in Peninsular Malaysia from 1959 to 2021 using hourly data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts fifth-generation reanalysis (ERA5). The outdoor WBGT was estimated using the Liljegren method, and labor productivity was calculated using the ISO/DIS 7243 method by comparing actual WBGT values with WBGT limit reference values for three workload intensities: light, moderate, and heavy. The results reveal a strong negative correlation between WBGT and productivity. Productivity declined markedly during peak heat-stress hours (12:00–16:00) over the past 63 years, with heavy workloads most affected. The largest productivity losses occurred in the southern and southeastern coastal regions, exceeding 22% in some areas. When WBGT exceeded threshold values of 29.4&#xa0;°C (light), 27.2&#xa0;°C (moderate), and 25.8&#xa0;°C (heavy), productivity declined by 16.8%, 13.5%, and 11.1% per 1&#xa0;°C increase, respectively. Trend analysis showed that rising temperatures are the primary driver of increased productivity losses. The study proposes rescheduling work periods with an extended midday break, which could enhance productivity by 6.72% for light, 9.64% for moderate, and 10.25% for heavy workloads compared to current schedules. These findings highlight the urgent need for adaptive strategies to mitigate the impact of increasing WBGT on regional labor productivity.</p>

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Impact of heat stress on outdoor labor productivity in peninsular malaysia: a spatio-temporal assessment

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月7日

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  • Najeebullah Khan,
  • Rajab Houmsi,
  • Muhammad Shazril I. Ibrahim,
  • Shamsuddin Shahid

摘要

Understanding the influence of environmental factors on labor efficiency is crucial in regions with rising temperatures. This study investigates the impact of heat stress, measured using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), on labor productivity in Peninsular Malaysia from 1959 to 2021 using hourly data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts fifth-generation reanalysis (ERA5). The outdoor WBGT was estimated using the Liljegren method, and labor productivity was calculated using the ISO/DIS 7243 method by comparing actual WBGT values with WBGT limit reference values for three workload intensities: light, moderate, and heavy. The results reveal a strong negative correlation between WBGT and productivity. Productivity declined markedly during peak heat-stress hours (12:00–16:00) over the past 63 years, with heavy workloads most affected. The largest productivity losses occurred in the southern and southeastern coastal regions, exceeding 22% in some areas. When WBGT exceeded threshold values of 29.4 °C (light), 27.2 °C (moderate), and 25.8 °C (heavy), productivity declined by 16.8%, 13.5%, and 11.1% per 1 °C increase, respectively. Trend analysis showed that rising temperatures are the primary driver of increased productivity losses. The study proposes rescheduling work periods with an extended midday break, which could enhance productivity by 6.72% for light, 9.64% for moderate, and 10.25% for heavy workloads compared to current schedules. These findings highlight the urgent need for adaptive strategies to mitigate the impact of increasing WBGT on regional labor productivity.