Civil Engineering & Construction: Faculty Publications

The Impact of Education on Fatigue among Construction Workers: A Longitudinal Study

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

3-18-2026

Publication Title

Construction Research Congress 2024

DOI

10.1061/9780784485293.087

Abstract

Fatigue is a significant safety concern in the construction industry and can lead to fatal accidents if not properly addressed. This article examines the impact of education on the level of fatigue in the construction industry through a longitudinal study. The study utilized a literature review and survey data collected over a five-week period to explore the relationship between education level and occupational fatigue in the construction industry. Overall, 80 construction workers participated in this study. Workers’ fatigue level was measured using a subjective scale called OFER (Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion/Recovery) scale. The findings highlight that higher education levels are associated with lowered fatigue levels. Further analysis revealed that education has both direct and indirect impacts on fatigue levels among workers. Directly, education empowers individuals with knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities, enabling them to enhance their understanding of safety practices, risk assessment, and hazard mitigation. Indirectly, education provides better job opportunities with less demanding tasks, such as office-based work. The practical implications of the findings suggest the importance of personalized safety training programs tailored to individuals’ educational backgrounds and job positions in the construction industry to effectively address fatigue, enhance safety practices, and mitigate the risk of accidents.

Comments

Georgia Southern University faculty member, Mohammadsoroush Tafazzoli co-authored, "The Impact of Education on Fatigue among Construction Workers: A Longitudinal Study."

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS